Austin: Report Back on Second Week of Prison Strike

From Austin Anarchist Black Cross

Report back from strike in Texas, Week 2:

“Today, September 17, I visited the Alfred Hughes Unit in Gatesville, TX to visit a friend. While I was waiting for them to be brought to the visitation booth, a woman sitting next to me mentioned inmates at this unit being retaliated against. She was visiting a woman from Hobby, who had been transferred to the medical building at Hughes due to overpopulation. I asked if I could join the conversation and ask some questions. The incarcerated woman explained that she overheard on a guards radio that inmates in building 8 were striking. She later learned that these inmates had rigged their doors to open at the the same time for the nationwide strike. Guards in riot gear showed up and blasted tear gas and physically retrained and assaulted several inmates.

The visitor pointed out a latino family she overheard talking about the strike as well. I approached them and with their permission, got on the phone with their loved one who only wanted to talk briefly and didn’t have a lot of details to share, but did confirm that building 8 went on strike and were brutalized by guards as a result. Finally, my friend showed up for our visit. They also confirmed all of this information, including the use of pellet guns.. They also said that they overheard on a radio that 13 units were on lockdown. They said that a notice had been posted to all inmates that told them any information on the strike was forbidden and would be denied.”

To all Families, Friends or Loved Ones of People Incarcerated in TDCJ,

Above is just one of many stories of resistance since the start of the Nationwide Prison Strike on September 9th, 2016, as told by one of our members who visited a loved one in TDCJ. We are waiting to hear back from contacts in other units but due to continuing lockdowns and censorship word is coming slowly.

Through calling units to see if retaliation is happening, we learned that there was/is a lockdown, and/or a partial lockdown, or many inmates are on suspension in the following 10 units (see below).

We have little information other than this, and fear that the state is trying to cover up retaliation. We sense that resistance is happening, and these stories need to be told. We are here to act as facilitators to make sure that information is spread to media contacts, loved ones, and fellow organizers.

If you have any information that you feel comfortable sharing with us, please let us know. What is the current state of resistance? How many people are/were involved? How are inmates feeling at this point? Has any retaliation happened? Have you been denied communication with a loved one? Are you willing to speak with media? We would like to hear anything that has potential to help us gain a better understanding of what is going on inside. We will keep you anonymous unless asked otherwise.

Though we understand that these issues will not be resolved overnight, please know that you are not alone and there are people who deeply care for you and these issues. Please let us know how we can further assist you, bearing in mind that we cannot give legal advice. However, we will do everything in our power to make sure your loved one’s voice is heard, and this movement is noticed by the world.

***Confirmed units on lockdown, partial lockdown, or “suspension” : Barry Telford, Beto, Clements, Conally, Ferguson, Gib Lewis, Jordan, Smith, Torres, William Hobby****

Unit directory: http://tdcj.state.tx.us/unit_directory/
Please call the above units and question why these lockdowns are taking place – to let them know we are watching.

Our thoughts are with you.

In Struggle and Solidarity,
Austin ABC