URGENT: Hunger Striker’s Health Rapidly Deteriorates

July 12, 2011 http://prisonerhungerstrikesolidarity.wordpress.com/

URGENT SUPPORT NEEDED IMMEDIATELY

Prisoner Hunger Strike Solidarity coalition received an urgent update
from medical staff at Pelican Bay State Prison that the health of at
least 200 hunger strikers in the SHU is rapidly worsening. A source
with access to the current medical conditions who prefers to be
unnamed reported:

“The prisoners are progressing rapidly to the organ damaging
consequences of dehydration. They are not drinking water and have
decompensated rapidly. A few have tried to sip water but are so sick
that they are vomiting it back up. Some are in renal failure and have
been unable to make urine for 3 days. Some are having measured blood
sugars in the 30 range, which can be fatal if not treated.“

SHU prisoners at Pelican Bay have said they are willing to risk their
lives and will continue to strike until their demands are met. The
CDCR continues to refuse to negotiate.

Prisoners across CA continue to refuse food in solidarity with the
Pelican Bay SHU hunger strikers.

This past weekend, families and friends sent encouragement and support
to their loved ones during weekend visits at prisons across the state,
witnessing the toll the hunger strike is taking on their bodies.
Families have said their loved ones are extremely pale, shaking and
have already lost 20-30 pounds. Some families of prisoners who have
only been drinking water for 12 days now witnessed their loved ones
faint or go into diabetic shock in visiting rooms over the weekend.

People locked up across the state have been telling their friends and
families about the tactics prison officials have been using to break
the strike.

Many prisoners have said that medications are being denied to
prisoners on hunger strike.

Prisoners have reported that guards in at least Pelican Bay General
Population and Calipatria State Prison have been calling throughout
blocks and units: “The Hunger Strike is over! The 5 demands have been
met!” which is not true. According to family members of prisoners at
Calipatria, participation at Calipatria was huge–at least 1,500
prisoners throughout that prison alone joined the hunger strike– until
the guards spread rumors of the strike ending. Some prisoners at
Calipatria remain on hunger strike, however.

While the CDCR released it’s estimate of 6,600 prisoners participating
in the hunger strike during the 4th of July weekend and declared the
numbers dropping to over 2,100 in the following days, of course the
CDCR failed to mentioned how and why that happened. The decline in
numbers in no way demonstrates a lack of support or dedication to this
struggle from the prisoners, rather how eager the CDCR is to make this
issue go away quickly and quietly.

Families and community organizations like Prison Moratorium Project
continue to rally support outside of striking prisons like Corcoran,
sharing information and trying to visit their loved ones as regularly
as possible. Families and community members are also supporting the
strike outside Pelican Bay.

Support for this hunger strike is at a crucial point, where we need to
pressure the CDCR to negotiate with the prisoners immediately. Call
the CDCR and urge them to negotiate NOW. Also call your legislators
and urge them to make sure the CDCR negotiates with the prisoners in
good faith. Click here for more info, including a sample script and
phone numbers.

***The coalition also needs help getting updates and information to
prisoners throughout CA. If you know people who are locked up in CA,
please either send us their information or send them updates of the
strike, including how people are supporting outside. The Hunger
Strikers need our support, and need to know how much support is
growing for them outside prison. ***

***An emergency press conference will be held Wed July 13th at 11 am
outside the California State Building in San Francisco (Van Ness &
McAllister)***

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Stand with the Prisons! Support Them in Winning Their Demands!

Contact the CDCR & your representatives and urge them to negotiate
with the prisoners and honor their demands!

Make Calls and Write Letter to:

Secretary Matthew Cate
Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
1515 S Street
Sacramento 95814
Phone: (916) 323-6001

Governor Jerry Brown
State Capitol, Suite 1173
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 445-2841

CDCR Public Affairs Office: (916)445-4950

Sample Script for Phone Calls:

“Hi my name is _____. I’m calling about the statewide prisoner hunger
strike that began at Pelican Bay. I support the prisoners & their
reasonable “five core demands.” I urge the CDCR to negotiate with the
prisoners immediately & in good faith. Thank You.”



***Don’t Stop there!***

Look up your elected officials here and urge them to pressure the CDCR
to negotiate with the prisoners and honor their demands!

Sample Script for Phone Calls:

“Hi my name is _________ and I live your district. I’m calling about
the statewide prisoner hunger strike that began at Pelican Bay. I
support the prisoners & their reasonable “five core demands.” I urge
you to make sure the CDCR negotiates with the prisoners immediately
and in good faith. Thank you.”

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