Dignity Not Detention - Preserving Human Rights & Restoring Justice

San Antonio – This Thursday, February 25th, from 12:00-1pm, Faith leaders, formerly detained immigrants, and human rights activists from across Texas will participate in a protest and letter-delivery as part of a launch of a campaign, "Dignity, Not Detention: Preserving Human Rights and Restoring Justice".

Human rights activists will call on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to close two south Texas detention centers – the Willacy County “Tent City” detention center and the Port Isabel Detention Center. Both facilities have been racked by allegations of human rights abuses, and PIDC has been the site of hunger strikes lead by detained immigrants over conditions of confinement and due process concerns.

Texans United for Families, Grassroots Leadership and Southwest Workers Unions will deliver a petition designed by SWU's Committee of Migrantes Unidos Sin Fronteras (particularly former detainees) which was signed by 243 immigrants at the PIDC and 1 from Conroe, TX (Joe Corley). The petition demands an end to Mandatory Detention, seeking emergency redress of detention and detention policy, respect for Human Rights, as well as basic health and safety needs such as hygiene products and adequate medical attention. Also turned in were complaint letters by family members of detainees in Port Isabel Detention Center to Congressman Solomon Ortiz and to Field Office Director Michael J. Pitts concerning abuse and violence targeting hunger strikers at the facility.

Who: Members of Grassroots Leadership, Southwest Workers Union, Texans United for Families and other groups.

What: Campaign launch of Dignity Not Detention campaign calling for closure of south Texas detention centers.

When: 12:00pm, Thursday, February 25th, 2010.

Where: ICE offices at 8940 Fourwinds Dr., San Antonio, TX, 78239.