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"Indict Arpaio"
Veterans' Day Parade (Phoenix 2012)
Those folks familiar with Joe Arpaio's jails know that the food is notoriously bad. About six weeks ago, however, I began hearing that the food isn't just tasteless or bad-tasting, there is at least one highly suspect, horrifically tragic case of food poisoning as a result. Hopefully mainstream media will be investigating and reporting on that soon - I'm really troubled about the things I've been hearing ever since Graves v Arpaio wrapped up and the judge let him slide without a monitor to stay o top of the fixes he did. In any case, it came as no surprise today to hear that some of the prisoners are complaining to loved ones about their food being spoiled and moldy, not just bland or bad-tasting.
The really remarkable thing about what I heard today, however, is that the women are organizing resistance in the form of a hunger strike - today was day two. Specifically, the women on Estrella's Cell Block C100 are refusing their meals until they no longer receive moldy, disgusting, dangerous food. They are demanding to be treated like human beings. YOU ALL ROCK!!!
(NOTE: This is what happens, Sheriff Arpaio, when you don't let prisoners file grievances and deal with constitutional violations "appropriately"...)
By the time this hits the rest of the media, it may have been broken up. Already they've apparently placed Rebekah Mellon in administrative segregation (solitary confinement) for "instigating" this collective act of defiance and courage. That woman is already facing serious charges for the murder of the man she says was her abuser - she's not about to sit down for rotten food now, I guess. GOOD FOR YOU!!! Hooray for all of the women who are fighting back now, however they are showing their resistance.
It's so under-reported when woman in prison and jail organize against their keepers and the conditions of their confinement, so anyone with direct info about this action, PLEASE contact me, no matter how far after this occurs it is - especially if you participated. My name is Peggy Plews; call me at 480-580-6807 or email me at arizonaprisonwatch@gmail.com. Also, send postcards to loved ones with my address on it: AZ Prison Watch PO Box 20494 PHOENIX AZ 85036.
For more about the history of women's resistance to the oppressions of incarceration, read some of Vikki Law's work - she wrote the book. If you have a loved one in Estrella or Perryville Prison, please order the book for them - the women need to know that history!