PRESS ADVISORY

Date: August 14th 2004
Contact: Madiha Tahir, Coney Island Avenue Project, (609) 439-1982

DETAINEES BEGIN HUNGER STRIKE TO DEMAND RIGHTS 200 immigrant detainees, who have been held despite the absence of criminal charges against them, will begin a one-day hunger strike at Wackenhut Detention Center in Queens to demand a case review and immediate release of non-criminal prisoners.

What: A press conference to announce a one day hunger strike by 200 immigrant detainees at Wackenhut Detention Center to demand the right to humane treatment, the right to due process, the right to access appropriate medical healthcare, the right to case review and immediate release of non-criminal prisoners, and family reunification. Speakers will include families of detainees and immigrants rights advocates.

When: Monday, August 16th 2004, 4pm.

Where: 26 Federal Plaza on Broadway between Duane and Worth (Manhattan)

More Information:

None of the prisoners currently being held at Wackenhut Detention Center have any terrorism related or other criminal charges against them. Yet, they are locked for 23 hours per day and several have been there for close to a year or more. These detainees were picked up in the aftermath of 9.11 and have been held without criminal charge or due process, and in some cases, without access to a lawyer or access to appropriate food and medical healthcare. Several of the detainees are married to US citizens.

The government refuses to release information on immigrant detentions. None of the immigrant detentions since 9.11 have yielded any useful results for Bush's "war on terror."

Private detention centers, of which Wackenhut is one, are earning large profits from the detention of immigrants and the current climate of racism against Arabs, Muslims, South Asians and immigrants generally. For example, detainees are being pressured to buy cafeteria food as the food served at the center is often insufficient and inadequate.

A previous hunger strike by inmates at Wackenhut ended with some prisoners being thrown in solitary confinement while others were transferred to other detention centers. That strike occurred approximately a year ago.

FAMILIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW.

For more information:
Coney Island Avenue Project, 718-859-0238 or 917-440-9002