Nineteen detainees at the Louisiana Lockup, a former prison camp within Angola prison, entered their fifth day of a hunger strike, demanding access to medical and mental health care, including prescription medications, as well as basic necessities. According to advocacy groups, detainees also seek visitation with ICE officers to address concerning conditions, including the denial of essential medications for those with chronic health conditions. The facility, which has a history of problematic conditions, has drawn criticism for allegedly unsafe and degrading practices, with advocates warning of a culture of abuse and violence. The strike highlights serious concerns about the facility’s ability to provide adequate care, despite the reopening of the facility and the expansion of immigrant detention in Louisiana.
Read More
A hunger strike at the “Alligator Alcatraz” immigration detention center in South Florida has entered its tenth day, with detainees protesting inhumane conditions. Detainee Pedro Hernández was hospitalized during the strike, and his wife expressed fears for his health and potential deportation. Community members and Democratic leaders have organized town halls demanding reform and accountability for the facility’s substandard conditions. Republican Senator Rick Scott responded by expressing appreciation for the president’s immigration policies, emphasizing the need for humane treatment.
Read More
Forty-eight Uyghurs, detained in Thailand for nearly a decade, are on a desperate hunger strike, their last resort against imminent deportation to China. Their message, delivered via a voice message and letter, is stark: “This may be my last message… We have been on a hunger strike since January 10; this is our plea for help. We could be imprisoned, and we might even lose our lives.” The gravity of their situation, the fear echoing in their words, underscores the urgency of their plight.
These Uyghurs fled China in 2014, escaping severe persecution in their northern homeland. Their journey, undertaken with the aid of smugglers, aimed to reach Turkey, a country with a significant Uyghur diaspora.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood