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MEDIA ALERT
For Immediate Release Contact: Allegra Padilla
August 11, 2007 213.383.7484 office
323.369.9662 on-site
Detainees Report Abuse, Inhumane Conditions at
San Pedro Immigration Detention Center
Possibility of Detainee Hunger Strike To Begin Wednesday 08/15
WHAT: Press conference and solidarity march to inform the media and public about the San Pedro Immigration Detention’s poor living conditions, violation of due process. Detainees plan to hunger strike by Wednesday, 08/15 unless conditions are addressed.
WHERE: San Pedro Immigration Detention Center,
2001 Seaside Drive, Terminal Island San Pedro, CA 90731
WHEN: Monday August 13th
9am- Press conference
10:30am to 1pm- March in solidarity with detainees
WHO: Homies Unidos, families of detainees, and organizations in support of dignified treatment and conditions for detainees.
Detainee(s) would like to speak with press on the Detention Center conditions. Requests for media visits require advance notification to the Office of the Assistant District Director of Detention and Removal Operations at the Los Angeles Immigration District Office at (213) 830-5160 or the Officer in Charge of the San Pedro Service Processing Center at (310) 241-2322/ (310) 241-2300.
WHY: A group of detainees supported by individuals and organizations in defense of human rights are seeking action from the Department of Homeland Security Officials to end abuse and poor living conditions beginning with San Pedro and ALL immigration detention facilities. Detainee abuse and undignified living conditions at San Pedro and other detainee centers have been reported and documented by detainees, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), The Daily Journal, LA Times and The El Paso
Times, which recently reported a pregnant detainee’s death due to negligence.
08/09/07 Detainees treated with excessive force
On August 9th, 2007 98 detainees of Pod 5 were met with excessive enforcement and brutality as they did not want to go back into their pod until their conditions for dignified living conditions and basic health were addressed. Some of the detainees’ demands are as follows:
- Proper clothing, per detention center regulations
- Necessary nutrition
- Adequate medical treatment/attention to all medical conditions
- Treatment of detainees with respect and dignity
- No more overcrowding
- Attention to hygiene and provision of necessary supplies
- Timely processing for approved deportation orders
- Recreation equipment to ensure mental and physical health
About Homies Unidos
Homies Unidos works to end violence and promote peace in our communities through gang intervention, the promotion of humane treatment of marginalized youth, providing alternatives to gang involvement and destructive behavior, empowering youth to change, and providing positive and productive opportunities for them to do so in both El Salvador and Los Angeles.
