Georgia (U.S state) prisoners go on strike

[HEAD ICE]

This has been almost completely ignored by the mainstream media, as well as the local media.

Run down: Prisoners in a number of different prisons in my state have been on strike for almost a week now, protesting the slave-like and dehumanizing conditions of the US prison system.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2010/1214/1224285486855.html


THOUSANDS OF prisoners in at least four penitentiaries across the state of Georgia continued a non-violent strike for the fifth consecutive day yesterday in a showdown between the Department of Corrections and inmates over forced labour and poor living conditions.


The strike is unprecedented in at least two ways: it was organised by mobile phones that were smuggled into the prisons, and it has united prisoners across ethnic and religious lines, in an environment where racially-based gangs often fight each other.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/12/us/12prison.html


In a protest apparently assembled largely through a network of banned cellphones, inmates across at least six prisons in Georgia have been on strike since Thursday, calling for better conditions and compensation, several inmates and an outside advocate said.
Inmates have refused to leave their cells or perform their jobs, in a demonstration that seems to transcend racial and gang factions that do not often cooperate.
“Their general rage found a home among them — common ground — and they set aside their differences to make an incredible statement,” said Elaine Brown, a former Black Panther leader who has taken up the inmates’ cause. She said that different factions’ leaders recruited members to participate, but the movement lacks a definitive torchbearer.
Ms. Brown said thousands of inmates were participating in the strike.
The Georgia Department of Corrections could not be reached for comment Saturday night.
“We’re not coming out until something is done. We’re not going to work until something is done,” said one inmate at Rogers State Prison in Reidsville. He refused to give his name because he was speaking on a banned cellphone.

[HEAD ICE]

These thousands of men, from Baldwin, Hancock, Hays, Macon, Smith and Telfair State Prisons, among others, state they are striking to press the Georgia Department of Corrections (DOC) to stop treating them like animals and slaves and institute programs that address their basic human rights. They have set forth the following demands:
· A LIVING WAGE FOR WORK: In violation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution prohibiting slavery and involuntary servitude, the DOC demands prisoners work for free.
· EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: For the great majority of prisoners, the DOC denies all opportunities for education beyond the GED, despite the benefit to both prisoners and society.
· DECENT HEALTH CARE: In violation of the 8th Amendment prohibition against cruel and unusual punishments, the DOC denies adequate medical care to prisoners, charges excessive fees for the most minimal care and is responsible for extraordinary pain and suffering.
· AN END TO CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENTS: In further violation of the 8th Amendment, the DOC is responsible for cruel prisoner punishments for minor infractions of rules.
· DECENT LIVING CONDITIONS: Georgia prisoners are confined in over-crowded, substandard conditions, with little heat in winter and oppressive heat in summer.
· NUTRITIONAL MEALS: Vegetables and fruit are in short supply in DOC facilities while starches and fatty foods are plentiful.
· VOCATIONAL AND SELF-IMPROVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES: The DOC has stripped its facilities of all opportunities for skills training, self-improvement and proper exercise.
· ACCESS TO FAMILIES: The DOC has disconnected thousands of prisoners from their families by imposing excessive telephone charges and innumerable barriers to visitation.
· JUST PAROLE DECISIONS: The Parole Board capriciously and regularly denies parole to the majority of prisoners despite evidence of eligibility.
Prisoner leaders issued the following call: No more slavery. Injustice in one place is injustice to all. Inform your family to support our cause. Lock down for liberty!

--

The US prison system is nothing but a warehouse for capitalism's "undesirables". The fact this has transcended racial divisions, is taking place across different prisons, along with clear and well defined points demands the support of anyone who calls themselves a socialist.

[Hoipolloi Cassidy]

This got a lot of coverage on dailykos.com, a "progressive" Democrat blog. If you remember Attica it's very important to let the thu.... I mean prison authorities, know that you're aware of what's going on. Let them know there are witnesses before the truncheons get going, or worse.

Macon State Prison: 978-472-3900
Hays State Prison: (706) 857-0400
Telfair State prison: 229-868-7721
Baldwin State Prison: (478) 445- 5218
Valdosta State Prison: 229-333-7900
Smith State Prison: (912) 654-5000

The Georgia Department of Corrections: http://www.dcor.state.ga.us (http://www.dcor.state.ga.us/) , 478-992-5246

[Die Neue Zeit]

These thousands of men, from Baldwin, Hancock, Hays, Macon, Smith and Telfair State Prisons, among others, state they are striking to press the Georgia Department of Corrections (DOC) to stop treating them like animals and slaves and institute programs that address their basic human rights. They have set forth the following demands:
· A LIVING WAGE FOR WORK: In violation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution prohibiting slavery and involuntary servitude, the DOC demands prisoners work for free.
· EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: For the great majority of prisoners, the DOC denies all opportunities for education beyond the GED, despite the benefit to both prisoners and society.
· DECENT HEALTH CARE: In violation of the 8th Amendment prohibition against cruel and unusual punishments, the DOC denies adequate medical care to prisoners, charges excessive fees for the most minimal care and is responsible for extraordinary pain and suffering.
· AN END TO CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENTS: In further violation of the 8th Amendment, the DOC is responsible for cruel prisoner punishments for minor infractions of rules.
· DECENT LIVING CONDITIONS: Georgia prisoners are confined in over-crowded, substandard conditions, with little heat in winter and oppressive heat in summer.
· NUTRITIONAL MEALS: Vegetables and fruit are in short supply in DOC facilities while starches and fatty foods are plentiful.
· VOCATIONAL AND SELF-IMPROVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES: The DOC has stripped its facilities of all opportunities for skills training, self-improvement and proper exercise.
· ACCESS TO FAMILIES: The DOC has disconnected thousands of prisoners from their families by imposing excessive telephone charges and innumerable barriers to visitation.
· JUST PAROLE DECISIONS: The Parole Board capriciously and regularly denies parole to the majority of prisoners despite evidence of eligibility.
Prisoner leaders issued the following call: No more slavery. Injustice in one place is injustice to all. Inform your family to support our cause. Lock down for liberty!

--

The US prison system is nothing but a warehouse for capitalism's "undesirables". The fact this has transcended racial divisions, is taking place across different prisons, along with clear and well defined points demands the support of anyone who calls themselves a socialist.

Could you please give a link to this agitational platform?

[HEAD ICE]

Could you please give a link to this agitational platform?

http://www.blackagendareport.com/?q=content/ga-prison-inmates-stage-1-day-peaceful-strike-today

[the last donut of the night]

absolutely amazing

[devo]

Democracy Now covered the story this morning. I haven't listened yet but I'm sure it'll be worth it to those interested. Here's the brief for the piece.

"Prisoner Advocate Elaine Brown on Georgia Prison Strike: “Repression Breeds Resistance” Elaine-brown



At least four prisons in Georgia remain in lockdown five days after prisoners went on strike in protest of poor living and working conditions. Using cell phones purchased from guards, the prisoners coordinated the nonviolent protests to stage the largest prison strike in U.S. history. There are reports of widespread violence and brutality by the guards against the prisoners on strike. We speak to longtime prison activist Elaine Brown of the newly formed group Concerned Coalition to Respect Prisoners’ Rights."

[Pawn Power]

This is a big fucking deal. Though the media is the u.s. is apparently ignoring it- probably because it prisoners as victims doesn't fit into their narrative. The conditions this strike is taking place are brutal and it is absolutely amazing that they have been able to pull this off on such a scale. They are fighting for the most basic human rights- not to be enslaved and regularly beaten.

A good interview with elaine brown (former chairwomen of the black panther party) on democracy now! http://www.democracynow.org/2010/12/14/prisoner_advocate_elaine_brown_on_georgia

[Fulanito de Tal]

Let's see if the "international community" gets involved like it did when two guys in a Cuban prison went on a hunger strike.

[t.shonku]

Please take a look at this article by clicking on this link

Link
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/damianthompson/100005662/amazings-photos-of-the-angola-prison-rodeo-where-vicious-prisoners-risk-their-lives/