To: Sharon Wylie (WA-49) and Annette Cleveland (WA-49)
WA State Representatives: End the Use of For Profit Prisons
In the wake of the recent hunger strike at the ICE Detention Center in Tacoma, WA, we ask that our state representatives investigate the inhumane practices by GEO Group and propose legislation to end the practice of for-profit prisons in Washington State.
Why is this important?
After 40 days, Ramon Mendoza Pascual and Jesus Cipriano Rios are the two remaining hunger strikers at the ICE Detention Center in Tacoma, WA. Ramon and Jesus have decided not to stop the hunger strike, even though they have told Ramon that his kidneys may fail if he continues.
The GEO Group has systematically attempted to silence these two brave individual's efforts. Instead of listening to the protesters, the GEO Group has threatened to force-feed them, and sentenced participants to solitary confinement.
At this time information provided by Maru Mora Villalpando from Latino Advocacy reports:
Both are receiving milk with vitamins and are in medical isolation and segregation (but Ramon was released after his 20 day sentence, and now it seems he has been placed in “administrative segregation” which means also isolation). Jesus has about 8 more days to go in solitary confinement but we are afraid he will be placed in “administrative segregation” as well when his sentence is over. Ramon was told his kidneys can fail at this point (close to 40 days of hunger strike now all together). Cipriano has been told he is still doing ok."
No one should have to starve themselves to be heard.
Especially for demands like these:
– Improved food quality
– Improved treatment (including medical treatment)
– Increased pay for work in the facility (the current pay is $1.00/day)
– An end to exorbitant commissary prices
– Fundamental fairness and justice
Stand up to the GEO Group, don't allow them to silence the brave efforts of Ramon, Jesus, and all the detainees at the ICE Detention Center in Tacoma, WA. Help put an end to the use of For Profit Prisons!
For more information about the hunger striker's demands and news articles covering the strike, you can find some here:
http://www.notonemoredeportation.com/2014/03/17/breaking-hunger-strikes-spread-to-texas-detention-center/
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/03/19/3105791/hunger-strike-down-to-2-detainees.html
http://truth-out.org/news/item/22586-from-tacoma-to-texas-hunger-strikers-challenge-private-immigration-detention-centers-federal-deportation-policy
In Solidarity,
Renee Hamilton
The GEO Group has systematically attempted to silence these two brave individual's efforts. Instead of listening to the protesters, the GEO Group has threatened to force-feed them, and sentenced participants to solitary confinement.
At this time information provided by Maru Mora Villalpando from Latino Advocacy reports:
Both are receiving milk with vitamins and are in medical isolation and segregation (but Ramon was released after his 20 day sentence, and now it seems he has been placed in “administrative segregation” which means also isolation). Jesus has about 8 more days to go in solitary confinement but we are afraid he will be placed in “administrative segregation” as well when his sentence is over. Ramon was told his kidneys can fail at this point (close to 40 days of hunger strike now all together). Cipriano has been told he is still doing ok."
No one should have to starve themselves to be heard.
Especially for demands like these:
– Improved food quality
– Improved treatment (including medical treatment)
– Increased pay for work in the facility (the current pay is $1.00/day)
– An end to exorbitant commissary prices
– Fundamental fairness and justice
Stand up to the GEO Group, don't allow them to silence the brave efforts of Ramon, Jesus, and all the detainees at the ICE Detention Center in Tacoma, WA. Help put an end to the use of For Profit Prisons!
For more information about the hunger striker's demands and news articles covering the strike, you can find some here:
http://www.notonemoredeportation.com/2014/03/17/breaking-hunger-strikes-spread-to-texas-detention-center/
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/03/19/3105791/hunger-strike-down-to-2-detainees.html
http://truth-out.org/news/item/22586-from-tacoma-to-texas-hunger-strikers-challenge-private-immigration-detention-centers-federal-deportation-policy
In Solidarity,
Renee Hamilton