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QUESTION: one-day hunger strike at INS detention center in Los Angeles in 2000?

Submitted by Anonymooose on Thu, 01/31/2008 - 9:58pm
question / pregunta: 

In August 2000, during or around the time of the Democratic National Convention, male and female detainees at the San Pedro Service Processing Center (in downtown Los Angeles) staged a one-day hunger strike to protest the center's conditions. According to an interview with one of the detainees, some of their demands were met and there was some media coverage. Where would I find past media coverage about the hunger strike and/or what conditions were changed because of the hunger strike?

Answers

Answer posted by: NatalieB

I found this article about the strike on the CommonDreams Progressive Newswire:
http://www.commondreams.org/news2000/1101-03.htm
It describes the conditions, Human Rights Watch's intervention and well as the strike and the improvments made after.

This link goes to a Media Alert for a Press Conference describing the conditions being protested as well as a solidarity march for the detainees around the time of the strike.
http://www.detentionwatchnetwork.org/node/336

I hope this helps!

Answer posted by: jenna

I found a short article, "INS Detainees Go On Hunger Strike" in the City News Service from August 16, 2000 that I will send to the questioner. It says, "Leaders from Homies Unidos said the hunger strike was inspired, in part, by demonstrations held throughout Los Angeles to protest alleged police corruption and abuse." It ends, "The hunger strikers also are protesting the deportation of former U.S. military personnel who may be 'considered an enemy in the native country,' and the use of the 1996 anti-terrorist act against 'first-time offenders with $ % long-time legal residency.'" (I don't know what the $ % is all about. Sorry.)

But guess what? The detention center lost its accreditation last year. However, "The facility is still operating, and it was unclear what continued loss of accreditation could mean for it longterm." ... "Accreditation is important for immigration and other correctional facilities because it shows that national standards of care have been met, provides arguments against lawsuits and can reduce liability and insurance costs." from: Associated Press State & Local Wire, October 13, 2007 "San Pedro immigration detention facility loses accreditation."

It seems to have closed in October, 2007, per "ICE facility closure causes angst; More than 400 detainees at a center on Terminal Island are sent to other institutions, upsetting attorneys who were notified belatedly." Los Angeles Times, October 24, 2007 Part B; Pg. 1, 833 words, Anna Gorman. I'll send you a bunch of articles about current conditions. With no mention of the hunger strike, though, you'll have to make your own causal links.

Maybe this one "POLICY TO PROTECT JAILED IMMIGRANTS IS ADOPTED BY U.S. The New York Times, January 2, 2001, Section A; Column 6; Pg. 1, 1584 words, By CHRIS HEDGES will have something.