Prisoner Hunger Strike Solidarity Demonstration - Support the 5 Demands

ALL OUT FOR PEACE AND AGAINST TORTURE!

CA prisoners began a hunger strike on July 8, seeking "5 Demands": basic human rights and an end to long-term solitary, which the UN has deemed torture. We are working in solidarity with them, to raise awareness and pressure the CDCR to comply.

Tuesday 7/30 at Oscar Grant Plaza (14th and Broadway in Oakland): Join concerned community members in support of peacemakers on a present Hunger Strike. THE RALLY STARTS AT 4 - A CRITICAL MASS IS CRUCIAL! Bring your signs, bring your stories, and bring your friends and family!

ABOUT THE HUNGER STRIKE
On July 3, 2013, a hunger strike inside CA cages began in an unprecedented expression of strength with 30,000 prisoners across the state refusing meals. The strike received an outpouring of support, including numerous solidarity actions and widespread news coverage.

With the hunger strike in its 3rd week, CA Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) agreed to meet with a mediation team working on behalf of the peaceful hunger strikers. While the mediators were hopeful that the CDCR would discuss negotiations around the strikers’ demands, they were quickly disappointed and dismayed by the CDCR’s refusal to address the strikers’ five demands.

Meanwhile, reports of retaliation against strikers have increased. Last week it was reported that prison officials had moved at least 14 peacemakers from the Security Housing Unit (SHU) at Pelican Bay to other equally notorious isolation units, while confiscating confidential legal documents, and forcing cold air into their cells. WHAT CDCR IS NOT TELLING THE PUBLIC IS THAT LAST FALL THESE PEACEMAKERS MADE A COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT TO PUT AN TO THE RACIAL HOSTILITIES INSIDE ALL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN CA. WHY WOULD CDCR KEEP THIS A SECRET? These peacemakers have placed their bodies on the line to promote unity and peace among all prisoners, and their loved ones on the streets.

“This is a matter of life and death for both the strikers and their families,” said mediator Barbara Becnel. “We object in the strongest possible terms to the complacency of the CDCR.” Mediators have urged CDCR Secretary Beard to meet with them as soon as possible. His office has yet to respond.

The movement to end solitary confinement is growing. We are gaining strength and must keep the momentum going. We must continue to put pressure on Governor Jerry Brown and the CDCR.

SOLITARY IS TORTURE: FACTS & MYTHS

FACTS:
• CA holds nearly 12,000 people in extreme isolation at a cost of over $60 million per year.

• Peacemakers inside made a collective agreement to end racial hostilities inside all correctional institutions in CA.

• Cells have no windows, or access to fresh air or sunlight.

• The United Nations condemns the use of solitary confinement for more than 15 days.

• Many people in CA state prisons have been encaged in solitary for 10 to 40 years.

MYTHS:

• Gang leaders are leading this hunger strike.

• Our communities are much safer with seniors, disabled people, and educators being held in isolation for 20-30 years.

• There is no money in the state of CA. (CCPOA stays in our pockets)


Join us. Now is the time for solidarity, now it the time to take action!