[Pnews] Victory: 20 Detainees Released from Solitary Confinement Following Lawsuit, Community Prepares to Rally

[Prisoner News]

April 4, 2014


Victory: 20 Detainees Released from Solitary Confinement Following 
Lawsuit, Community Prepares to Rally


Tacoma, WA---This morning, 20 detainees being held in solitary 
confinement at the Northwest Detention Center in retaliation for 
engaging in a hunger strike were released from segregation, due to the 
pressure of litigation. The released detainees include 25-day hunger 
striker Jesus Gaspar Navarro, who had been placed in solitary 
confinement following a stay in medical isolation after ending his 
historic strike. The ACLU of Washington and Columbia Legal Services had 
filed a temporary restraining order and injunction on behalf of these 
individuals, seeking a court order to halt the ongoing retaliation 
against detainees engaged in the hunger strike and related activities. 
Those released are happy to be out of isolation.


The individuals released had been in solitary confinement since March 
27, when United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) 
officers implied that detainees could meet with an assistant warden to 
discuss their reasons for being on hunger strike. Instead, these 
detainees were handcuffed as soon as they left their unit and were 
immediately placed in administrative segregation for 23 hours a day, 
with no human contact, access to a telephone, television, or written 
materials. None of these individuals were told from the outset why they 
were placed in solitary confinement. We refer you to the ACLU for 
details related to the lawsuit.


While solitary confinement has ended at this time for these individuals, 
other hunger strikers remain in isolation. Army Veteran Hassall Moses 
remains in solitary confinement after being charged with inciting a work 
stoppage, even though work done by the detainees at the detention center 
is allegedly voluntary. Ramon Mendoza Pascual remains in administrative 
segregation due to his involvement in the hunger strike. Mr. Mendoza 
Pascual was given a hearing in which one ICE officer acted as the 
translator, witness, and adjudicator.


An opportunity to support these courageous individuals, including those 
still being held in isolation, occurs April 5 at the Northwest Detention 
Center. Hundreds of supporters and family members of the hunger strikers 
will be gathering for a rally, march, and workshops from noon to 5pm. 
Speakers include released hunger striker Jose Moreno, families of those 
currently detained, and leaders of strike support efforts Maru Mora 
Villalpando, Angelica Chazaro, and Sandy Restrepo. Also featured will be 
music by Olympia's Artesian Rumble Arkestra, the Seattle Fandango 
Project, poetry, and education about the detention center and history of 
immigrant activism.

#

Petition on behalf of Hunger Strikers and latest releases available at: 
www.notonemoredeportation.com/2014/03/10/detention-hunger-strike/ 
<http://www.notonemoredeportation.com/2014/03/10/detention-hunger-strike/>


<http://www.notonemoredeportation.com/2014/03/10/detention-hunger-strike/>

Fund to support the families of human rights hunger strikers: 
http://www.gofundme.com/7orehg


<http://www.gofundme.com/7orehg>

April 5 Not1More Deportation Rally in support of the NWDC Human Rights 
Leaders - https://www.facebook.com/Not1MoreTacoma/posts/241708986031832


-- 
Freedom Archives 522 Valencia Street San Francisco, CA 94110 415 
863.9977 www.freedomarchives.org
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