HUNDREDS OF PROTESTORS BEING ILLEGALLY HELD AND TORTURED IN PHILADELPHIA JAILS

URGENT ACTION ALERT UPDATE

August 3, 2000  

A state of martial law exists in Philadelphia. Over 400  activists are being physically and mentally abused in  Philadelphia jails for the so-called crimes of  protesting against the prison industrial complex, the  racist Republican convention, and for demanding the  freedom for political prisoner, Mumia Abu-Jamal. Among  the 400+ are 8 members of the International Action  Center. Many people have been held since their arrest on  Tuesday, August 1.

Sara Flounders, co-director of the IAC, stated, "These  hundreds of heroic activists have become the direct  targets of a repressive system they were protesting  against almost three days ago when they were  arrested by Philadelphia police.

"Clearly human rights violations are being perpetrated  against the detainees by the cops. For instance, the  cops are telling the detainees that there are no lawyers  to represent them and the lawyers have been told that  there are no detainees who want to see them. This is a  misinformation campaign and an attempt to demoralize the  activists."

While many of the people who were arrested presented  their ID in order to speed along their arraignment  process, supporters outside the RoundHouse police  precinct are being told that there is no record of  the people inside.

A R2K legal network press conference held today revealed  several different types of police torture. According to  R2K this includes "sleep deprivation by overnight  handcuffing in awkward positions; the use of pepper  spray to coerce arrestees into attending arraignments;  stripping of prisoners' clothing; beatings; denial of  essential medication; denial of food, water and access  to the bathroom for extended periods," and much more.

"The mainstream media wants to paint a picture of calm  and police restraint in the face of the massive and  militant demonstrations that have occurred over the past  few days," said Flounders.

"What has happened in the streets and what is  happening in jail now tells a different story. There  have been pre-emptive arrests, random searches of cars  and people and attempts to shut down the Independent  Media Center. The illegal and unconstitutional actions  taken by Philadelphia will not go unchallenged.  Philadelphia is clearly not the 'city of brotherly love'  but the city of fascistic police tactics."  

URGENT ACTION ALERT UPDATE

Thu, 03 Aug 2000

There are now up to 100 demonstrating outside of the prison.  150 inside it are on a hunger strike.  For people giving their names, bail is being set. For those giving John and Jane Does as names, they're being sent to the Prison Industrial Corrections Complex across the street from Holmsberg Prison   . It is estimated that 70 have been released.

On conditions inside the Roundhouse Prison, we have read and heard of reports that : 1)  For at least 10 hours yesterday, there was no food. 2)  Bathroom "privileges" were suspended for awhile. 3)   lawyers were being restricted access to clients and individuals jailed were told their lawyers had not come to see them. 4)  Lawyers weren't being told by authorities who was incarcerated at the Roundhouse. 5)  reports of police and guard violence against some prisoners. 6)  reports of 8 held in isolation, those identified as organizers and facing more serious charges. 7)  medical needs of some are not being met. 8)  a very slow arraignment process, with judges not allowing some lawyers to be present. 9)  Some bails are being set at up to $100,000 or higher.