In the spirit of resistance and in continuation of the seventy man prison uprising at EOCI last month, the news of prison gang unity has spread like wildfire! We are currently locked down in the hole, because of the Oregon Department of Corruptions excessive unjust abuses and brutality. After the EOCI rebellion, the warden and administrators performed an emergency transfer of the most likely leaders of the rebellion. Well that's how I got here at SRCI! and as our struggles continue, so do our battles.
For the record, Snake River Correctional Facility is notorious for murdering prisoners who resist their abusers & oppressors. So instead of going at them armed and violently (as @ EOCI) we are UNITED once again. All major prison gangs and races!! In a peaceful 1000 man plus phone strike/hunger strike on general population and of course us soldiers in captivity in the Disciplinary Segregation Unit (the hole). Unfortunately we are unable to communicate with our comrades in the Oregon SHU (IMU-control units), but we feel their struggles!! We all've heard rumors that they are igniting sparks of resistance as well. Never before have so many prison gangs come together for a United Front to defend our rights against the DOC's unfair control and oppression. Those supporting our United Front to defend our humyn rights and freedoms here in the Disciplinary Segregation Unit with me are The Southsiders, European Kindred, The West Siders, BROOD, New Afrikans, CRIPS, BLOODS, Kumi Nation, Aztec [list continues, but letter is cut off]
Enclosed is the SRCI prison newsletter that has sparked our flames of resistance. It seems the Department of Corrections feels they have a right to decide and control who we call and how many times, how often and only a selected amount of people! In a secret plot, it seems, to gather as much information about our loved ones and family members and friends. This is a violation of our families and friends rights. We will not stand idly by and watch the department of corruptions pry into our families lives through their documentation of addresses and phone information.
In our peaceful protest hunger strike we are staggering their system!! Many prisoners are getting out of the hole early due to over-crowding (holding prisoners for nothing) and because of this prisoners are not being subjected to nonsense disciplinary sanctions. Because the holes are too full, they can't take no one to the hole -- us prisoners are STARVING! To stand in unity despite of political views in this unity we want change!
We need as much support from you people on the outside!! WE must be heard. We are starving!! Enclosed is a list of participants and comrades from the United Struggle Within. Much love to the ARM Mister Toltecatl. All listed have refused their food, going on over 7 days [this letter was mailed August 31, 2005]. When will the corruption cease? Will these pigs continue to laugh in our faces and watch us starve to death?
We will end our hunger strike when the DOC changes their corrupt agendas.
Please email/write/fax/criticize and complain to:
Snake River Correctional Institution (SRCI)
Jean Hill, Superintendent
Mark Nooth, Asst. Supt. , General Services
Judy Gilmore, Asst. Supt., Program Services
Steve Franke, Asst. Supt., Security
777 Stanton Blvd
Ontario, OR 97914-0595
INFO:(541) 881-5000 FAX: (541) 881-5460
Internal Affairs, Department of Correction
390 NE 2nd Street
PO Box 70
Ontario, OR 97914
Oregon Solicitor General
400 Justice Building
1162 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 97310
Oregon Attorney General
100 Justice Bldg
1162 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 97310
Governor of Oregon
900 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 97301-4047
Department of Corrections
2575 Center Street NE
Salem, OR 97301-4667
American Civil Liberties Union
PO Box 40585
Portland, OR 97240-0585
Oregon Advocacy Center
620 SW Fifth ave, 5th Floor
Portland, OR 97204-1428
(503) 243-2081
(800) 452-1694
-- an Oregon Prisoner, August 2005