The National Prison Strike concluded on Sept. 9. Reports are still coming in on the extent of strike actions inside prisons that took place around the U.S. and even in other countries. While striking prisoners faced increased levels of repression, their courage shined a light on prison conditions and on the just demands for human rights and an end to prison slavery.
Many solidarity actions took place outside the walls during this historic prisoners’ strike and the Party for Socialism and Liberation is proud to have participated, organized for and initiated a number of these important activities. PSL’s solidarity was noted by incarcerated organizers in Jailhouse Lawyers Speak and shouted out on a Tweet.
PSL makes the struggle against mass incarceration and for prisoners’ rights a part of our work all year round. As the strike has come to an end, comrades in South Carolina have been forced, unfortunately, to transition their focus to the oncoming crisis for poor and working people that is and will be caused by Hurricane Florence. However, solidarity with prisoners is an integral part of the hurricane work. On Sept. 14 South Carolina PSL members organized with others to demand that Gov. McMaster make plans to evacuate prisoners. They did effective social media work that generated many calls and other contacts with officials to demand prisoner evacuation.
What follows is a list of documented activities organized or participated in by PSL members and branches. Many of these activities were covered by Liberation News.
Please read and download the Prison Strike Newsletter Solid Black Fist#6 and sign the petition in solidarity with prisoner demands.
Aug. 21, Seattle: Participated in solidarity march and rally at the University of Washington
Aug. 21, Philadelphia: Participated in National Phone Zap
Aug. 25, Seattle: Organized forum in Solidarity with National Prison Strike
Aug. 25, Philadelphia: Study group
Aug. 25, South Carolina: Organized rally outside Lee Correctional Institute
Aug. 31, Los Angeles: Organized forum in Solidarity with National Prison Strike
Aug. 31, Albuquerque: Organized forum in Solidarity with National Prison Strike
Sept. 1, Dallas study group
Sept. 1, San Antonio: Study group
Sept. 2, Atlanta: Public event with Eugene Puryear
Sept. 4, Tallahassee: ProtestUS for
Sept. 5, Springfield MO, picket at city courthouse
Sept. 7, Sacramento: Press conference
Sept. 7, Sarasota: Rally
https://www.liberationnews.org/pop-peoples-museum-marks-attica-uprising-end-national-prison-strike/Sept. 9, Attica NY: Pop-up People’s Museum outside Attica Prison
