Panel Discussion: The California Prisoner Hunger Strike & Ending Long-term Solitary Confinement

[annm4peace]

( it might surprise you when you hear the solitary confinement survivors speak)

&feature=player_embedded

(after the couple seconds of powerpoint the sound comes on, video of a prisoner in confinement)

Watch the hour-long panel that took place on July 17, 2013 in Berkeley, CA. Panelists include:

Andres Thomas Conteris, CloseGitmo.net - Stop U.S. Torture in Gitmo and U.S. Prisons; Director, Program of the Americans of Nonviolence International — recently interviewed hunger strikers in Pelican Bay SHU

Steven Czifra is a UC Berkeley student who spent a total of eight years in solitary confinement, including five in the Pelican Bay SHU. Along with other UC students and professors, he is taking part in a rolling solidarity fast in support of the prisoners and their demands.

Larry Everest, covers the prisoner hunger strikes for Revolution newspaper and is the author of Oil, Power & Empire: Iraq and the U.S. Global Agenda. (See Revolution Interview: Carol Strickman, from Prisoner Hunger Strike Solidarity Coalition Prisoners’ Struggle Against “Cruel and Unusual Punishment Amounting to Torture“)

Michael Montgomery is a reporter for KQED and the Center for Investigative Reportingwho has covered California prison issues.

Danny Murillo was arrested at 16 years young, and sentenced to 15 years in state prison. 17 months were spent in Administrative Segregation (the hole) and six years in the Security Housing Unit (the SHU). Currently an undergrad student at UC Berkeley in the Ethnic Studies department and a George Miller Scholar.

On July 8, California prison authorities admitted that over 30,000 prisoners had joined the hunger strike by refusing meals. The Los Angeles Times said this “could be the largest prison protest in state history.” Prisoner representatives from the Pelican Bay State Prison SHU Short Corridor Collective Human Rights Movement said, “our nonviolent peaceful protest of our subjection to decades of indefinite state-sanctioned torture, via long-term solitary confinement will resume…consisting of a hunger strike/work stoppage of indefinite duration until CDCR [California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation] signs a legally binding agreement meeting our demands, the heart of which mandates an end to long-term solitary confinement (as well as additional major reforms).” See statement here .

Co-sponsored by Revolution Books and the Stop Mass Incarceration Network-Bay Area

Also read the updates of the hunger strike.. on day 19 now.

https://prisonerhungerstrikesolidarity.wordpress.com/


CALL GOVERNOR JERRY BROWN

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Suggested script:
I’m calling in support of the prisoners on hunger strike. The
governor has the power to stop the torture of solitary confinement. I
urge the governor to compel the CDCR to enter into negotiations to
end the strike. RIGHT NOW is their chance to enter into clear,
honest negotiations with the strikers to end the torture.

WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO PLAN A GATHERING IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD TO MAKE CALLS AND ORGANIZE OTHER SOLIDARITY ACTIONS!

[midnight]

1. K&R for later....

[annm4peace]

2. the 2nd survivor starts speech with:

"between 1980- 2009... CA built one University and 25 prisons"

" 60% in solitary are there because of drugs"

"it is CA war on the poor"

[annm4peace]

3. All speakers are enlightening

It should be on national news but Something every CA should listen to. This is CA tax dollars torturing.

[midnight]

4. IGI needs three key sources of evidence to put someone in solitary confinement... They have a list

from over 15000 to pick from to label you a gang member. I wonder what confidential information
constitues, letters from family and friends.. So knowledge can have you locked up?

[annm4peace]

5. amazing

I don't understand how they can have rules against Civil Rights.
I person can be put in the SHU for having ethnic drawings.. so you can't draw pictures of Celtic crosses or shapes, you can't have pictures of Aztec buildings, or figures. the list goes on.

I would think the US Attorney General should investigates but i know that won' t happen.

[annm4peace]

6. 1st prison hunger striker dies

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023361165