Our Team: Karen Ali Activist, Long Standing member of HRC team, and wife of Omar Askia Sistrunk Ali who is innocent, yet convicted to a sentence of LIFE in prison.
Our Team: Kerry Shakaboona Marshall, Total of 13 years in solitary confinement. HRC Co-Founder and Editor of The Movement Magazine.
Our Team: HRC Co-Founder: Legendary Russell "Maroon" Shoats/z (shaking hands with Attorney, Bret Grote). Confined for 30 years in solitary confinement.
Our Team: Robert 'Saleem' Holbrook HRC Co-Founder and Activist-on-Fire working on behalf of the prisoners he left behind.
Our Team: One of the original HRC Members, Theresa Shoats/z, Daughter of Rusell Maroon Shoats/z.
Our Team: Mama Patt, One of the orignial members of HRC, Co-Editor of THE MOVEMENT magazine.
Our Team: Jackson Kuswiak HRC Member, Resilient Activist, and Organizer.
Our Team: Andy Switzer Courageous Advocate. Andy is an HRC Member since 2004.
Our Team: Jerome Hoagie Coffey Twelve (12) years in solitary confinement, HRC Co-Founder and Activist.
The Coalition to Abolish Death By Incarceration (CADBI) will gather in the Capitol Rotunda with the message that healing and compassion can rebuild our communities. We’re hoping that this year will be the biggest action yet, and we need your help! Please spread the word! CADBI will be providing free transportation to and from Philly! You must register to reserve your seat on the bus. If you have any questions, you can contact CADBIphilly@gmail.com or 267-606-0324. This year's rally is cosponsored by 1Hood, Keystone Progress, Reclaim Philadelphia, ACLU of Pennsylvania, LifeLines Project, Decarcerate PA, Lancaster Stands Up, FAMM, POWER End Mass Incarceration, Amistad Law Project, Youth Art and Self Empowerment Project, and the Human Rights Coalition. HOPE TO SEE YOU IN HARRISBURG! #AbolishDBI
HRC rallied at PA DOC Headquarters and several members are not eating or fasting along with and in support of the Hunger Strikers. This is a serious issue when prisoners can find no other way other than to risk their health and, yes, lives to bring attention to the abuse and torture and/or solitary confinement that are common tools mainly used to keep prisoners "in check", to break their spirit, or to show them who's the boss. Solitary confinement and the denial of a person's human rights needs to end; and, guards need to understand that they are not above the law. July 4th, 2019 sixteen prisoners began a hunger strike to peacefully protest their physical and psychological abuse in solitary confinement and their systematic denial of basic goods such as toilet paper, toothbrushes, mail, yard time and showers. The hunger strikers issued Demands: 1. Abolish the Restricted Release List 2. Investigate patterns of abuse in DOC and fire abusive guards at SCI Fayette 3. End Long-Term Solitary Confinement - Pass HB497 4. Close SCI Fayette due to toxic waste and prison health issues On August 1st, prisoners across the country, family members/loved ones of the hunger strikers, and outside supporters will be joining the hunger strike for 1-day and will be fasting sun-up to sun-down for the rest of the month. This is to commemorate Black August, a month honoring the history and long tradition of Black resistance to slavery, captivity, murder and oppression. You can help in a number of ways: spread the word, call the prison and tell them you are concerned (SCI Fayette Superintendent Mark Copozza (724) 364-2200; DOC Secretary Wetzel (717) 728-4109), call your legislator, call a newspaper, post on Facebook or Instagram, or simply pray for a better world. #SolidarityNotSolitary #Hungry4Justice
Please call these State Representatives and ask them to support HB 497 to end long term solitary confinement. This is still an issue and we want a law that states you cannot hold a person in solitary confinement for more than 15 days. We do not want to leave this in the hands of DOC because they will change their policies on a whim. Men are on a hunger strike because of the abuse and dehumanization they receive each day in solitary confinement. HRC members are joining in on the hunger strike in support. The entire Pennsylvania state (the entire world) should know what has driven these men to starve themselves. See news article about HRC's #HUNGRY4JUSTICE rally at Mechanicsburg, PA.
On 4th day of hunger strike in support of strikers at SCI-Fayette; end long-term solitary confinement NOW.