Sunday, December 2nd, as in the first Sunday of every month, we meet at Firestorm to write letters to prisoners facing repression or whose birthdays are coming up soon. Join us, no experience necessary, we provide addresses and stationary and can talk about the cases of folks we’re writing to. Come and write letters to…
PHONE ZAP: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 9AM – 1PM
HELP US GET MALIK OUT OF AD-SEG!
Incarcerated activist Keith “Malik” Washington has experienced intense, targeted harassment ever since he began speaking out against the brutal conditions faced by incarcerated people in Texas and nationwide–but over the past few months, prison officials have intensified this retaliation even further.
In Administrative Segregation (solitary confinement) at McConnell Unit, Malik has experienced frequent humiliating strip searches, medical neglect, mail tampering and censorship, confinement 23 hours a day to a cell that reached 100+ degrees in the summer, and other daily abuses too numerous to name.
Most importantly, Malik’s placement in Ad-Seg is a textbook example of political repression: a punitive response to organizing against the exploitation and dehumanization of prison slavery.
Please make calls to the prison officials below to demand Malik’s release from Ad-Seg and an immediate END to abuses against him!
BACKGROUND
Malik was thrown into Ad-Seg in 2016 for endorsing the nationwide prison strike to #EndPrisonSlavery. To this day, prison officials acknowledge that he is in solitary for political activism–that is, for encouraging people to engage in non-violent tactics of work refusal and boycotts of prison industries.
And it gets worse: Malik was cleared for release from Ad-Seg back in June, but the decision was abruptly reversed on the basis of “information” allegedly received by a shadowy, unaccountable intelligence operation called a Fusion Center–information that has never been disclosed, evaluated or verified by anyone, ever.
WHO TO CONTACT
Make the calls on Tuesday (ideally between 9AM-1PM) and send emails to addresses provided. Call script provided below!
TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier
Phone: (936)295-6371
Email: exec.director@tdcj.texas.gov
McConnell Unit Senior Warden Philip Sinfuentes
Phone: (361) 362-2300
Email: philip.sifuentes@tdcj.texas.gov
TCDJ Region IV Director Miguel Martinez
Phone: (361) 362-6328
Email: miguel.martinez@tdcj.texas.gov
WHAT TO SAY
“Hello, I’d like to talk to _______. I’m calling because Keith Washington’s (TDC#1487958) placement in Ad-Seg is a clear case of political repression and retaliation, which has no connection whatsoever to any legitimate security or safety concern.
You are trying to make an example out of him, and I demand that the intense harassment and retaliation against Keith cease immediately, especially the strip searches, medical neglect, and mail tampering he has been subjected to on your watch.
Most importantly, I’m calling to demand that you convene a special review of Keith’s placement in Ad-Seg and release him back to general population ASAP.
I am well aware that Keith was cleared for release from Ad-Seg by the State Classification Committee back in June, and the abrupt reversal of that decision was made on the basis of information that has NEVER been disclosed to Malik or any other person, and has never been independently evaluated or verified–in other words, it’s a pure fiction, another clear indicator of the political repression he is facing. I demand you release Malik from Ad-Seg immediately–his placement there is completely illegitimate!”
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NEW TO PHONE ZAPS? HERE ARE SOME POINTERS!
– When you call, ask for the specific individuals listed above, but don’t expect to reach them; it’s totally fine to leave a message with their receptionist.
– Don’t be surprised if they try to transfer you a million times, keep you on hold, etc. Just talk to or leave a message with whoever you can.
– Don’t be surprised if they lie to you (“Oh, Keith is doing just fine”)–just stick to the script/talking points
– Don’t feel you have to be overly polite or overly rude; just go with whatever feels natural!
– Use the buddy system! Make the calls with one or more friends!
– Report your call: post how your call went (what they said, if they mentioned that others have called, etc)
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WRITE TO MALIK!
View his work at comrademalik.com or write him at:
Keith H. Washington
TDC# 1487958
McConnell Unit
3001 S. Emily Drive
Beeville, TX 78102
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