Sunday, July 17, 2011


Pelican Bay Hunger Strikers Reject Proposal: The Strike Continues!

Image by Kevin
drawing by
Kevin "Rashid" Johnson
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Friday, July 15 - This afternoon leaders of the Pelican Bay hunger strike unanimously rejected a proposal from the CDCR to end the strike. In response to the prisoners’ five, straightforward demands, the CDCR distributed a vaguely worded document stating that it would “effect a comprehensive assessment of its existing policy and  procedure” about the secure housing units (SHUs). The document gave no indication if any changes would be made at all.
 
While the CDCR has claimed that there is no medical crisis, mediators report that the principal hunger strikers have lost 25-35 pounds each and have underlying medical conditions of concern. Despite the promises from the federal Receiver overseeing the CDCR, no one has received salt tablets or vitamins.
 
The hunger strike is now in its third week and shows no signs of weakening. In fact, the settlement document distributed last night to all hunger strikers at Pelican Bay prison, resulted in some people who have gone off the strike to resume refusing food. Hundreds of prisoners at Pelican Bay remain on strike, with thousands more participating throughout the CA’s 33 prisons. Advocates and strike leaders dismiss the false claims that the strike is being orchestrate by prison gangs. (Click here for a clip from a legal visit with hunger strikers, explaining why prisoners are doing this hunger strike)
 
International solidarity with the striking prisoners also continue to mount with demonstrations and messages emerging from the US, Canada, Turkey and Australia.
 
According to mediation team Laura Magnani, “From day one. the CDCR has demonstrated it’s inability to resolve this situation. We call on Gov. Brown to step in and negotiate in good faith to bring this situation to a just resolution.” Strike supporters plan to flood the Governor’s office with phone calls and emails, echoing the striker’s demands.
 
Given how basic the strikers’ demands are, it is immoral that the CDCR would insult these men with such poor faith proposal,” state mediator Dorsey Nunn.
 
 
The challenge for supporters outside of prison is to match the courage of the hunger strikers, and to effectively pressure the CDCR to immediately negotiate on the standards any negotiation should follow: with the prisoners in good faith, addressing allof the demands, and with the prisoner-approved outside mediation team.
It is still important to continue calling in and writing letters to Sec. Cate.  
 
We also need to intensify pressure on all elected officials, from Governor Brown to local state representatives, to get involved in this struggle–urge them to make sure the CDCR negotiates with the prisoners, urge them to visit Pelican Bay and demand to see the prisoners. We can also be targeting press and media to do the same.
 
MOBILIZE to SACRAMENTO:MON, July 18th from 1-4pm. Demonstration outside CDCR Headquarters. 1515 S. St. 

*FOR SUPPORTERS EVERYWHERE:
Join a conference call to hear direct updates, and to strategize effective ways to support the strike and the prisoners in winning their demands!
 
NATIONAL HUNGER STRIKE SOLIDARITY CONFERENCE CALL:
Monday, July 18th: 6 pm EDT/ 5 pm CDT/ 4pm MDT/ 3 pm PDT
Toll-Free Call In Number: 1(800) 920-7487
Participant Code: 62435226
Click here for a complete list of Coalition press releases and advisories.
 
Recent Media Coverage
 
 

Needless to say, a link to an article does not imply endorsement.
 
 
 
 
 
Upcoming Events
(next 72 hours)
 
EVERYWHERE
*Monday, July 18th: 6 pm EDT/ 5 pm CDT/ 4pm MDT/ 3 pm PDT:
NATIONAL HUNGER STRIKE SOLIDARITY CONFERENCE CALL: FOR SUPPORTERS EVERYWHERE. Join a conference call to hear direct updates, and to strategize effective ways to support the strike and the prisoners in winning their demands! Toll-Free Call In Number:1(800) 920-7487. Participant Code: 62435226
 
In the US:
 
California
Los Angeles
Monday, July 18th, 9am - 5pm ALL DAY - Reagan State Building, 3rd and Spring Sts., Downtown Los Angeles
 
Sacramento
Mon, July 18th1:00-4:00pm: Demonstration @ CDCR Headquarters.1515 S St. Sacramento, CA
 
 
San Bernardino
Sun, July 17th 12:00-3:00 pm: Demonstration at San Bernardino County Central Detention Center (CDC). 630 East Rialto Avenue. San Bernardino
 
San Francisco
EVERY DAY at noon. California State Building, Van Ness and McAllister, San Francisco.
 
Nevada
Las Vegas
Mon, July 18th 8:00- 9:00 p.m: VIGIL IN SOLIDARITY WITH HUNGER STRIKE ACROSS CALIFORNIA. Address: *waiting on location*
 
New York
New York City
Mon, JULY 18th 11:30am – 1pm Demo in Solidarity with Hunger Strike in California. California State Franchise Office, 1212 6th Ave. between 47th & 48th, Manhattan, New York City, New York.
 
Arizona
Tuscon
Tues, July 19th @ 8pm: Informational Update on the Hunger Strike and Radical Folk Music Show featuring Ryan Harvey. At Dry River Radical Resource Center 740 N.  Main Ave. Clickhere for more info.
 
Rhode Island
Wed, July 20th: Fast/Rally (assuming the strikers haven’t had their demands met by then). organized by DARE (Direct Action for Rights and Equality). For more info, call: 401-351-6060
 
 
If you are organizing an event in your area, let us know!
 
Hungerstrike News can be reached at hstrikenews@yahoo.ca


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