One Last Hug: Help Mother Hug Son in Texas Prison Before Cancel Takes His Life

IWOC member and prison rebel Keith “Malik” writes about a campaign to allow a dying prisoner the chance to see his mother.

Peace and blessings, sisters and brothers, and HAPPY NEW YEAR! I’d like to send out revolutionary greetings to all our comrades and allies throughout the United States, Canada and Europe as well as my Muslim sisters and brothers trapped in those Israeli slave kamps! FREE PALESTINE!

Miguel Flores and his mother, Paulina Gracia

All right, by now some of you may have heard that my comrades and I have been attempting to convince the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (sic!) to approve a contact visit between Miguel Flores, an imprisoned artist housed here in Ad-Seg with me at the McConnell Unit and his mom, Paulina Gracia, who has an aggressive form of leukemia. Miguel’s mom has cancer, and the prognosis is not good. Normally, prisoners in segregation are not allowed contact visits.

At this time, I’d like to give y’all a few more details so that you will understand exactly why I have gotten involved in the first place. Paulina is in her early 60s. She weighs about 75 pounds right now. The doctors have installed a medi-port in Paulina’s chest up by her clavicle. The purpose is so that they can administer pain medications, chemo drugs as well as antibiotics.

For those of you who didn’t know, I lost my own mother about eight years ago – right around this time of year. It really hurts to lose your mom when you are up in one of these slave kamps. You so much want to hug her and tell her how much you love her and appreciate all that she has done for you. I NEVER GOT THAT CHANCE!

I do not speak about this much because the memories are painful. These are memories which I have sought to suppress. It is memories such as these that lead many prisoners to the point of engaging in self-harm as well as other forms of self-destructive behavior.

Helping Miguel and Paulina is therapeutic for ME! On top of that, it is my duty as a dedicated servant of the people. So this is personal, comrades!

Miguel and I have become friends and even comrades as I’ve been able to awaken the revolutionary spirit inside of him. A spirit he did not know even existed – until now! Miguel wants to learn how to be an abolitionist and a true servant of the people also. As you will soon see, Miguel is using his artistic abilities and gifts to serve.

Comrades, we should not have to force Texas prison officials to show some compassion and empathy toward Miguel and Paulina, but that is all these oppressors understand, so we gonna have to show them the power of the people! Right on!

Freedom fighters all across the nation have begun to organize a campaign which seeks to force these oppressors in Texas to allow Miguel and Paulina to hug each other, cry together and just BE. Is anything that I am saying resonating in your heart, mind and soul? This may be their last opportunity to touch each other!

You know, comrades, the world has gone all wrong down here in Texas! Donald Trump told everybody that the violent caravan was invading from the South – yet all we have seen are women and children being viciously gassed and a 7-year-old little girl and an 8-year-old little boy dying in the custody of ICE and the Department of Homeland Security!

We need more HELP! I keep telling folks that it is going to take way more than just throwing money at the problem; WE MUST GET INVOLVED!

How you can help

It is going to take a big collective effort in order to reach the governor of Texas as well as Texas legislators and media correspondents. Now is the time that Black folks must join together with our Latinx sisters and brothers and support their efforts to be treated like human beings! Si Se Puede! (Yes We Can!)

Some key contacts to get at:

1) Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott, [email protected]

2) TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier, [email protected] or 936-295-6371

3) TDCJ Public Information Officer Jeremy Desel, [email protected] or 936-437-6055

Miguel Flores, No. 2084651, is housed here at the McConnell Restrictive Housing Unit in Beeville, Texas, and his mom, Paulina Gracia, lives in Corpus Christi, Texas. Your phone calls and emails made on their behalf are greatly appreciated.

Like I said, this is going to take a massive collective response. I believe in all of you, and I think that y’all believe in me, so let’s join together and make this happen!

Dare to struggle, dare to win, all power to the people!

Send our brother some love and light: Keith “Malik” Washington, 1487958, McConnell Unit, 3100 S. Emily Dr., Beeville TX 78103.