U.S. Government Violence TARGETS Hunger Strike at the Port Isabel Detention Center (PIDC): Punishment for All

Unite to change oppressive policies, end the exploitation, And end the violence right now.



U.S. Government officials are abusing immigration detainees as well as community members in South Texas. There are numerous federal civil and federal criminal violations that are occurring. These violations affect the free speech, due process, of immigration detainees and the immigration rights community.

There is a proactive hunger strike by immigration detainees, and a family member of one of the detainees, that has been ongoing for some time. This is the third such hunger strike in less than a year. It is up to the immigrant rights community to enlighten the rest of America and the world to shame the U.S. Government into changing policy.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) swarmed housing units at PIDC and assaulted numerous detainees who were hunger striking and/or proactive in speaking against inhumane treatment. Many were moved to other facilities in order to hide the abuses. Divide and conquer tactics were used against detainees. This occurred on Feb. 10, 2010, which was one day after Anayanse Garza of the Southwest Workers’ Union (SWU) and other concerned community members attended an open meeting, including Zoila Molina (mother of Hunger Striker Ronald Molina and who herself was fasting for days), held by Phyllis Coven, Acting Director of the Office of Detention Policy and Planning. The meeting was designated for non-governmental and community-based organizations. However, SWU members and other concerned inhabitants of South Texas were not invited although they had previously requested to speak to Phyllis Coven via a written request to Regional Field Director Michael J. Pitts. Community members searched for the meeting and found it, last minute, at a local hotel. A local news program brought a video camera. Phyllis Coven did not feel comfortable being on camera. Community members insisted on a transparent meeting. If the meeting was supposed to be open and announced on the internet, there should have been total transparency in what was being discussed.

Hunger striker Vishnawath Ramlakhan A#042-670-378 called Southwest Workers’ Union. Anayanse placed Mr. Ramlakhan on speaker phone and he told the listeners, including ICE Field Office Director, Michael Pitts, that he was a hostage of the U.S. Government. Phyllis Coven and her colleagues at the meeting decided not to listen to his pleas, turned their backs on the community and left the room.

Human Rights are first and foremost. Stop the abuse against immigration detainees, as well as abuse of community members in South Texas who defend their civil liberties and human rights. According to detainees there are numerous federal civil and federal criminal violations that are occurring. These violations affect the free speech, due process, of immigration detainees and the immigration rights community.
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Latest New Coverage

Vishnawath Ramlakhan Speaks Feb. 13, 2010

Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBZeLMImhmY
Vishnawath Ramlakhan Speaks Feb. 13, 2010 about abuse at the Port Isabel Detention Center in Los, Fresnos, TX after ICE violence breaks out against detainees Wed. Feb 10, 2010. He is still Hunger Striking along with others at the Port Isabel Detention Center, Los Fresnos, TX.

Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJDs9_SpI40

Part 2 Interview with Vishnawath Ramlakhan
Los Fresnos, TX- Port Isabel Detention Center- Vishnawath Ramlakhan Speaks Feb. 13, 2010 about abuse at the Port Isabel Detention Center in Los, Fresnos, TX after ICE violence breaks out against detainees Wed. Feb 10, 2010. He is still Hunger Striking along with others at the Port Isabel Detention Center, Los Fresnos, TX.

Hunger Strikers At Port Isabel Detention Center Speak

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XD87WZBMbZA
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNdvABKiLuc
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyYOFOANVGM
Hunger Strikers at Port Isabel Detention Center Speak Out about the abuse, violence and disrespect for their rights and civil liberties. Plea for help from Congressman Ortiz and President Barack Obama.


Phyllis Coven Turns Her Back On Hunger Strikers and Families

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q79IrzjGd1o
Harlingen, TX- During an open meeting with NGO's and CBO's, Phyllis Coven Turns Her Back On Hunger Striker Vishwanath Ramlakhan and Families who ask her to investigate and end violence and abuse against detainees at Port Isabel Detention Center in Los Fresnos, TX.

Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAbNmrfSXzM
Harlingen, TX- Marriot Hotel
Tues. Feb. 9, 2010, Phyllis Coven attempts to hang up on hungerstriker Vishwanath Ramlakhan reporting abuse. Southwest Workers' Union asks her to reconsider. Coven, Michael J. Pitts, and colleague walk away declaring the meeting over.


Zoila speaks about her fast after visit with Congressman Solomon Ortiz Feb. 08, 2010

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2N9pPQKiFdM
Zoila Molina fasting with her son, mother of Ronald Molina who is a detainee on Hunger Strike at the Port Isabel Detention Center, talks after the visit with Congressman Solomon Ortiz.

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnZQ3-UDwVA
Zoila Molina, mother of Ronald Molina a detainee at the Port Isabel Detention Center talks after the visit with Congressman Solomon Ortiz.

Southwest Workers' Union and Zoila Molina in front of PIDC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAut5FaW7jU
Southwest Workers' Union and Zoila Molina on the Fast for Our Families in front of the Port Isabel Detention Center in Los Fresnos, TX.


Hunger Strike at the Port Isabel Detention Center at Los Fresnos, TX

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foPISCd0hzI\
Southwest Workers' Union and the South Texas Immigrant Council with family of a detainee in front of the Port Isabel Detention Center explaining the need for respecting Hunger Strikers rights and the rights of immigrants.

Anayanse Garza - 956.207.2571- Rio Grade Valley