Thank you to everyone who came out to rally at the NW Detention Center (NWDC) yesterday in Tacoma!
¡Gracias a todos que asistieron a la demostración en el NWDC ayer en Tacoma!
Jose Moreno presents 14 Points of Blue Ribbon Commission to end deportations
José Moreno presenta los 14 Puntos por la Comisión Blue Ribbon a poner fin a las deportaciones
More photos attached and at links below -- Mas fotos contenidas y por las enlaces abajo
RALLY REPORT-BACK
While 100 of us gathered to send a message of solidarity to hunger strikers detained inside the NWDC as they organize for improved conditions and end deportations, over 1000 rallied DC, sending a message to President Obama to end deportations now and "Not1More meeting about us without us"-- that undocumented people be included at the negotiations table for detention and deportation policy change. Through street theater performed by visiting Youth Arts Group of New York and the testimony of formerly-detained people and people whose families have been ripped apart by deportations, demonstrators communicated the powerful stories of appalling detention conditions, violence prompting the crisis of child migration, and the urgent need for Obama to immediately expand deferred action for all. Cipriano Rios-Alegria, who had been placed in solitary confinement days prior for his alleged leadership in the hunger strike, spoke to us via phone. Former hunger strike leader Jose Moreno presented the 14 points developed by a national Blue Ribbon Commission of undocumented leaders for actions President Obama can take immediately for migrant justice. Below is an updated press release -- please share widely!
REPORTE DE LA DEMONSTRACION
Mientras que 100 de nosotros reunieramos a mandar un mensaje de solidaridad con los ayunistas detenidos en el NWDC mientras que organizen para condiciones mejores y poner fin a las deportaciones, mas que 1000 se reunieron en DC, mandando el mensaje al Presidente que ponga fin a las deportaciones y "Ni Una Mas reunion sobre nosotros sin nosotros"-- que personas sin papeles sean incluidos en la mesa de negociones para cambios al sistema de detencion y deportacion. A través del teatro popular realizado por Youth Arts Group de Nueva York y el testimonio de personas que han estado detenidas y personas cuyas familias han sido separadas por las deportaciones, comunicabamos las historias poderosas de deplorables condiciones de detención, la violencia que provoca la crisis de la migración de ninos, y la necesidad urgente que Obama expanda inmediatamente la acción diferida para todos. Cipriano Rios-Alegria, que había sido colocado en confinamiento solitario dias antes para su liderazgo suspuesto en la huelga de hambre, habló con nosotros por teléfono. El líder anterior de la huelga, José Moreno, presentó los 14 puntos desarollados por la Comisión Blue Ribbon nacional de líderes indocumentados de acciones el Presidente Obama puede tomar de inmediato por la justicia migratoria. A continuación se muestra un Press Release actualizado - por favor comparta ampliamente!
PICTURES & NEWS at hashtags #Not1More and #DACA4all and onNWDC Resistance/Resistencia al NWDC page!
PRESS ROUNDUP: The Stranger, The Guardian, World Socialist, and Democracy Now (at 8:15)!
If you see the Komo 4 segment, please post it to Facebook!
FOTOS y NOTICIAS en las hashtags #Not1More y #DACA4all y en la pagina de facebook NWDC Resistance/Resistencia al NWDC
RESUMEN de PRENSA: The Stranger, The Guardian, World Socialist, and Democracy Now (a las 8:15)!
Si alguien ve el segmento en Komo 4, por favor pongalo en Facebook.
ICE to Negotiate -- Keep up the Pressure! Yesterday, after four days of a new hunger strike at the NWDC in which hunger strikers had already faced retaliation and intimidation from detention center operator GEO Group and ICE, officials of ICE and GEO Group met with hunger strikers and promised to negotiate to improve detention center conditions. Letter from hunger strikers attached. Yesterday, hunger strikers began to eat again at lunch. We will continue demonstrating in solidarity with hunger strikers to hold ICE and GEO accountable. Stay updated on our Facebook page!
ICE a Negociar -- Mantiene la Presion! Ayer, después de cuatro días de una nueva huelga de hambre en el NWDC en lo cual ICE y GEO Group ya habia amenazado con a las represalias y la intimidación, oficiales del ICE y el GEO Group se reunió con los huelguistas de hambre y se comprometió a negociar para mejorar las condiciones en el centro de detención. Carta de ayunistas contenida. Ayer, los que ayunaban comenzó a comer de nuevo en el lonche. Debemos segui demostrando en solidaridad con los huelguistas de hambre para mantener el ICE y GEO responsable. Mantienese informado en nustra pagina de Facebook!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 3, 2014
Contact: Stina Janssen (360) 301-3340
Spanish-language media: Cariño Barragan Talancon, 206-745-2045
100 Rallied in Tacoma, 1000 in Washington, DC
Victory in Sight for NWDC Hunger Strikers as Officials Promises to Negotiate
Tacoma, WA-- Yesterday, after four days of a new hunger strike at the Northwest Detention Center (NWDC) in which alleged hunger strike leaders had already faced retaliation and intimidation from detention center operator GEO Group and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials met with hunger strikers and promised to negotiate to improve detention center conditions. Yesterday, hunger strikers began to eat again at lunch.
This marks a major step towards victory for those detained who have risked retaliation from GEO Group and ICE in the form of solitary confinement, transfer to other detention facilities, and threats their silent protest would impact their cases. As the hunger strike began, a private security team was called to the site to intimidate hunger strikers. On July 31st, Cipriano Rios-Alegria, one of the longest enduring hunger strikers last spring was immediately singled out and put in solitary confinement for allegedly “trying to recruit other detainees for hunger strike.” August 1st, after inquiries from the press, he was released from administrative segregation.
At least 150 people in detention were known to be participating in this latest strike; with ICE’s promise to negotiate, they have called an end to their hunger strike today at lunch. Hunger strikers are making plans for negotiations; it is critical that the momentum continue to encourage ICE and GEO Group to follow through on their promise. A letter signed by 44 hunger strikers released July 31st voiced the detainees’ core concern: unfair court hearings that criminalize them for entering the United States in order to join their families (enclosed). In July, problems in the facility’s kitchen led to a week of only cold food. Many detainees report not receiving enough food and only being served food of poor quality. Detainees call for improved facility conditions and their letter echoes a national call for President Obama to stop deportations immediately.
This week, over 1000 undocumented immigrant activists, faith leaders, and allies are converged in Washington, DC, marching on the border patrol office and rallying in Freedom Plaza to demand that undocumented immigrants themselves be included in meetings and negotiations as President Obama considers changes to the detention and deportation systems. Seattle-Tacoma activist Veronica Noriega, wife of hunger striker Ramon Mendoza, spoke in front of the White House. Simultaneously in Tacoma, WA, 100 activists echoed this national call, rallying at the NWDC where last February, protesters with the Not1More Campaign held a civil disobedience, risking arrest to block deportation buses. That protest sparked a mass hunger strike in the facility that continued for months and resulted in the formation of a collective of detainees.
Yesterday, demonstrators at the NWDC communicated their message with colorful banners and signs outlining 14 recommendations developed by a Blue Ribbon Commission of undocumented leaders, including a broad expansion of deferred action, an end to local law enforcement’s collaboration with ICE, and a significant improvement to conditions inside detention centers. Through street theater performed by New York student group Youth Arts Group and the testimony of formerly-detained people and people whose families have been ripped apart by deportations, they shared powerful stories of appalling detention conditions, violence prompting migration of children, and the urgent need for Obama to immediately expand deferred action for all. Cipriano Rios-Alegria, who had been placed in solitary confinement days prior for his alleged leadership in the hunger strike, also spoke to protesters via phone.
Demonstrations will continue as hunger strikers arrange negotiations with ICE and GEO Group officials.
Enclosed: Letter from detainees currently on hunger strike and English translation
Enclosed: pictures of private CERT team in riot gear seen at NWDC on July 31st, pictures from rally on Saturday August 2nd
Social Media: #DACA4all #Not1More
Fund to support the families of human rights hunger strikers: http://www.gofundme.com/7orehg
For more information about August 2nd mobilization: http://www.notonemoredeportation.com/2014/07/07/august2/
Blue Ribbon Commission's 14 Points: http://www.notonemoredeportation.com/2014/04/10/not1morebrc/