Supporters of the Pelican Bay hunger strikers came out on July 30 to show solidarity in downtown San Diego. Attendees carried printed and hand written signs with messages supporting the strikers, as well as condemning torture in U.S. prisons. The demonstration was initiated by family and friends of prisoners who contacted the local branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation for support.
Amber, a sister of one of the prisoners, stated, “Let it be known that these prisoners are not alone! We will not accept the CDCR (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation) saying, ‘ok,’ they will change things, and nothing be done. We will continue to be the voices for these men.”
Organizers created a petition and gathered over 100 signatures that will be delivered to the Governor and the CDCR. The petition calls on them to meet the prisoners’ “five demands.”
The “five demands” of the hunger strikers were: (1) stop collective punishment by racial group; (2) abolish the debriefing policy that unnecessarily puts people in harm’s way; (3) end long-term solitary confinement; (4) provide adequate and nutritious food; and (5) expand and provide constructive programming and privileges for indefinite SHU status inmates.
The San Diego rally inspired passing vehicles to honk in solidarity with the cause of the hunger strike, which challenged the inhumane conditions of the Security Housing Units and inspired the support of people across the state and the country. Chants included, “Our prisoners are dying—the CDC is lying,” and “Meet the five demands!”
The PSL led chants and supported the family and friends by handing out flyers, talking to the public and carrying signs to help publicize the most significant prisoner-led resistance in California in years.
At the rally, a family member read a letter from one of the striking prisoners. In it, the striker addressed the success of the strike and the importance of solidarity actions:
“The main thing is that we got their attention and a dialogue has begun to correct the wrongdoings that have been set upon us for much too long. They (the CDCR) have been exposed, admitted their wrongs, and none of this could have taken place without the relentless support that people have given us. We couldn’t have done it without your support, period.”
