Revolution Online, October 10, 2011
Taking Out and Building Support for the Prisoner Hunger Strike in Atlanta
We first talked about the prison hunger strike at the discussion at Revolution Books and it was very saddening to see the conditions that our brothers live in daily. We are humans but we treat our brothers less that human because we have the power over him at his most vulnerable state. My revolutionary family and I took to the streets over these inhumane atrocities to our fellow comrades. We were in the streets of Atlanta and we passed out our newspaper "Revolution" and spoke with the people about the 12,000 strong prisoner hunger strike in California and the injustices committed by this system every day. When I informed the people on the streets that the prisoners’ courageous hunger strike was only for the most basic of human needs, the people were outraged. I met people from all spectrums of society, students, and teachers, the unemployed, street vendors and secretaries. I also met 10 people that could not read, but they told me to please relay their message of solidarity with the prisoners on strike. What surprised me the most was the failure of the media to even attempt to cover a story like this, very few people even knew about the hunger strike and the appalling conditions these humans are forced to endure for years some even decades.
All the prisoners request are 5 basic demands: 1. An end of group punishment and administrative abuse; 2. Abolish the debriefing policy, and modify active\inactive gang status; 3. Comply with the U.S. Commission on safety and abuse in America’s prison 2006 recommendations regarding an end to long term solitary confinement; 4. Provide adequate and nutritious food; 5. Expand and provide constructive programming and privileges for indefinite SHU status inmates.
I informed the people that the real criminals are on Wall Street squandering people’s life savings, fighting private and personal wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and making cuts to programs in the U.S. that the public so desperately needs.
These are some of the things that the people of Atlanta had to say to the people on hunger strike in California and there horrible inhumane conditions.
"Hold strong, don’t give up." Chancha S.
"I am waiting to help put a stop to the mistreatment of all prisoners and help fulfill an active role in this movement."
"I support your hunger strike and my prayers are with your success." Tony.
"I believe that all these demands should be met, no human being deserves to be treated as an animal." Amber C.
"It is unfair to the prisoners to have them suffer for what they need." Brinanna C.
"The way you treat those prisoners is lower than humans should be treated, this will not be overlooked...... bullshit will not be tolerated under the eyes of man." Nicole B.
"Stop the brutality what about the U.S. Constitution, why slavery? Democracy now!"
"I am praying for you all. Together we stand, divided we fall."
"I completely understand why this is wrong and I am willing to help if I can." Shanika K.
"The country is listening." Addison W.
These are the voices of the people, and the voices of the people shall not be silenced. Let’s prepare for Revolution!
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