Day 44: Outrage Over CA Prisons Force Feeding Plans of Hunger Strikers

[annm4peace]

(as I look at the Prisoner Hunger strike page I wince as I don't want to hear of another prisoner dying and I'm hoping the Democratic Governor, State Senate or State Assembly does something to end the strike by pressuring the CDCR to meet the prisoners demands)

Outrage Over CDCR Force Feeding Plans

Posted on August 19, 2013 by prisonerhungerstrikesolidarity

Supporters of prisoners who are on the 43rd day of hunger strike are expressing outrage at an order signed today by a federal judge allowing strikers to be force fed, disregarding international human rights principles.

“CDCR justifies asking for the order to force feed by claiming that the widespread hunger strike is ‘orchestrated’ by gangs, that the massive participation and support for the demands is coerced and that prisoners have signed ‘do not resuscitate’ directives under duress,” according to Claude Marks of the Prisoner Hunger Strike Solidarity Coalition. “

This order violates all international laws and standards and gives the medical director of each prison authority to violate human rights laws instead of reasonably negotiating with prisoners.” Thousand of prisoners have united to challenge the torture of prolonged isolation, demanding an accountable process to challenge the gang validations that have kept them in security housing for decades.

Continues Marks, “”This approach, much like Guantanamo, sets the US apart from all related international human rights standards.”

http://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.



Maybe we should email the CA Democratic Party and ask why are the Democratic Leaders allowing the Hunger Strike to go on.

http://www.cadem.org/about/officers

JOHN BURTON
Chairman
Email: [e-mail]

[annm4peace]

1. Day 44: Statement from Mediation Team "Hunger Strikers, Gavin Newsom’s Citizenville & the Frontline"

( Gavin Newsom, another so called progressive Democrat, that disappoints those of us who call for an end to SHU)

Meanwhile, not long ago some of the family members of the hunger strikers attempted to meet with Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom about these important matters. At the time, Newsom was temporarily serving as Acting Governor while Jerry Brown was traveling out of the country. The meeting never happened: Acting Governor Newsom said he would not have any more to say about the prisoner hunger strike than the Governor had to say about it, which, thus far, has been nothing helpful. Well, pretty much nothing at all.

Hunger Strikers, Gavin Newsom’s Citizenville and the Frontline

Years ago a defense attorney, who was contemplating acceptance of her first death row client, talked to me about how hard it would be to keep this person from ending up in San Quentin’s Death Chamber. But she was anxious to take on the task. I asked her why? She simply and eloquently explained that in every society there must be people who are willing to stand in the way of those who abuse the power they have over individuals under their control. If there is no one there to point out that abuse, to push back against those powerful forces, the abuse will spread and deepen and will become unstoppable.

On Day 44 of the prisoner hunger strike, we are watching a real-life display of that lawyer’s philosophy—prisoners are starving themselves to disrupt the abuse of power displayed by the CDCR’s inhumane policies and practices involving indeterminate solitary confinement.

They have put themselves on the frontline of protest to demand to be treated like human beings.

Meanwhile, not long ago some of the family members of the hunger strikers attempted to meet with Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom about these important matters. At the time, Newsom was temporarily serving as Acting Governor while Jerry Brown was traveling out of the country. The meeting never happened: Acting Governor Newsom said he would not have any more to say about the prisoner hunger strike than the Governor had to say about it, which, thus far, has been nothing helpful. Well, pretty much nothing at all.

Ironically, the Lieutenant Governor recently released a book he authored called Citizenville. His promotional email states that “Citizenville shows how we can make government as useful and engaging as your iPhone.” He adds: “I talked to technology pioneers, entrepreneurs, and social media stars for Citizenville to come up with clear steps we can take to reshape our government and engage ordinary citizens.”

Perhaps the “usefulness” of government as depicted in Newsom’s marketing material for his book would be better measured by him and Governor Brown agreeing to talk to the hunger-striking prisoners themselves. The two elected officials could learn of some meaningful fixes to CDCR policies and practices that would do more than merely “engage ordinary citizens,” such talks could actually save lives—those of the protestors as well as those prisoners who are being made morose or insane or both by indeterminate solitary confinement for decades.

On behalf of the Mediation Team,
Barbara Becnel 510-325-6336

Hunger Strike Mediation Team
Dr. Ronald Ahnen, California Prison Focus and St. Mary’s College of California
Barbara Becnel, Occupy4Prisoners.org
Dolores Canales, California Families to Abolish Solitary Confinement
Irene Huerta, California Families to Abolish Solitary Confinement
Laura Magnani, American Friends Service Committee
Marilyn McMahon, California Prison Focus
Carol Strickman, Legal Services for Prisoners With Children
Azadeh Zohrabi, Legal Services for Prisoners With Children

[annm4peace]

2. “CDCR’s approach is hopeless and dangerous

Human rights advocates slammed a judge's decision Monday to give California prison officials the green light to force-feed prisoners who are on hunger strike by deeming "do not resuscitate" orders signed by inmates invalid.

“This [court decision] violates all international laws and standards and gives the medical director of each prison authority to violate human rights laws instead of reasonably negotiating with prisoners," declared Claude Marks of the Prisoner Hunger Strike Solidarity Coalition.

Published on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 by Common Dreams

Calif. Prisons Given Go-Ahead to Force-Feed Inmates on Hunger Strike Critics condemn the practice,
also used against Guantanamo Bay hunger strikers, as a gross violation of human rights

- Sarah Lazare, staff writer

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/08/20-1

The ruling, passed by U.S. District Court Judge Thelton E. Henderson in response to requests from state authorities, contradicts a California state law explicitly prohibiting force-feedings for prisoners who signed orders that they be allowed to die.

State officials argued in the courts that prisoners signed the papers under coercion by what they allege is gang control, and the judge acquiesced, ruling that the "do not resuscitate" orders no longer have legal standing.

Prisoners and their allies charge that unproven claims of gang coercion are levied by prison authorities in attempt to break the hunger strike, dehumanize inmates and justify cruel collective punishment.

“CDCR’s [the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's] approach is hopeless and dangerous," declared Azadeh Zohrabi, spokesperson for the Prisoner Hunger Strike Solidarity Coalition. "It perpetuates a logic that says it is okay to torture someone based on their criminal convictions. It creates prison conditions that destroy people physically and mentally, and arbitrarily metes out punishment that exceeds any sentences passed down by the courts."

Human rights advocates slammed the practice of force-feeding that has been condemned as a violation of international law by subjecting inmates to cruel and torturous punishment. The process involves "snaking feeding tubes through inmates' noses and into their stomachs," the AP reports.

"Force-feeding violates international law to the extent that it involves somebody who doesn't give their consent," declared Jules Lobel, president of the Center for Constitutional Rights, who represents 10 inmates suing to end prolonged solitary confinement at Pelican Bay State Prison.

The issue was thrust into the media spotlight due to the the controversial and widely condemned force-feeding of Guantanamo Bay inmates on hunger strike. "This approach [in California], much like Guantanamo, sets the U.S. apart from all related international human rights standards," Marks declared.

There is no data on rates of force-feedings in U.S. prisons, but this is not the first time U.S. courts have intervened to give the go-ahead for the controversial practice.

While the number of hunger striking prisoners is consistently under-counted, the media is widely reporting that at least 69 inmates have consistently gone without food since the California prison hunger strikes were launched July 8.

In the third major prisoner hunger strike in the state since 2011, prisoners are demanding an end to solitary confinement, as well as a halt to collective punishments, harsh crackdowns under the auspices of 'stopping gang activities,' and access to education, healthcare and healthy food.

[annm4peace]

3. Organizations that are supporting the Hunger Strike

(see if your groups will also sign and get members to call CA Gov. Jerry Brown

http://prisonerhungerstrikesolidarity.wordpress.com/statements-of-support/

If you want to add your name and a few words on how you are supporting the strike, please leave a comment on this page. Make sure to sign the online petition and encourage others to sign it as well!

If your organization would like to send us a written statement of support or if your organization would like to be listed as a supporter, please send us your info by leaving a comment on this page, or email the coalition at: [e-mail]

There are a few letters of support circulating different networks internationally: one for organizations, one for health workers and medical professionals, one for mental health practitioners, and one for faith-based groups and religious communities. All organizations listed below are added to the organizational letter. The letters will be delivered to Governor Jerry Brown.

Here is a growing list of organizations that support the Pelican Bay Hunger Strike: (it is a long ilst)

[sabrina 1]

4. I'm sorry that there is so little interest in this horrendous travesty and abuse of human

rights. But the lack of interest is indicative of where we are as a nation.

I find it more than disappointing that Gov. Brown has not responded to the appeals to intervene in this human tragedy.

I know that there was a court ruling to reduce the overcrowding in Ca's prisons as it violated Human Rights laws.

We appear to have reached a point where there no respect for the rule of law, no respect for Human Rights.

Thank YOU for your efforts to try to gain support for the prisoners. I will do what I can to help..

[Joe Shlabotnik]

5. Thanks for the update. n/t

[annm4peace]

6. We really need Johnny Cash

I listened on a progressive radio station MN's KFAI of a documentary of Johnny Cash's concerts at CA Prisons.. incredible stories as well as the music.

I wish he was still around to give a voice to their cause.

[annm4peace]

7. Jerry Brown Considers Prison Alliance Between Private Company, Union

so now i know why Democrat Gov Jerry Brown has been silent on the Prisoners Hunger strike

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/22/jerry-brown-prisons-private_n_3799519.html

California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) has no intention of releasing state prisoners convicted of nonviolent drug offenses, despite a federal court order requiring the state to reduce its prison population by the end of the year, sources told HuffPost.

Instead, Brown and legislative leaders are discussing a proposal to create an unconventional partnership between the state's powerful prison guard union and the nation's largest private prison corporation -- an alliance that may permanently expand California's prison system while curbing nascent efforts to reduce the state's mass incarceration of nonviolent offenders.

Under the plan, one of several the governor has proposed in conversations with legislative leaders in recent weeks, the for-profit prison giant Corrections Corporation of America would lease one or more of its prisons to the state, which would in turn use California prison guards and other public employees to staff the company’s facilities.