Monday, July 29th 5 pm
Cook County Jail, 2700 S. California
Emergency Action for Gregory Koger
Stop Mass Incarceration Chicago just issued the Call for Emergency Action to Support Gregory Koger, below. As many of you know, Gregory is a key member of the Stop Mass Incarceration Network and a long-time volunteer for Prisoners Revolutionary Literature Fund.
Cook County Jail Retaliates against Gregory Koger, Revolutionary Hunger Striker
Cook County jail has sent Gregory Koger for a "psychological evaluation" multiple times since he was sent to jail on Tuesday, July 23, citing as grounds his hunger strike in solidarity with thousands of California prisoners who are on hunger strike to end the torture of solitary confinement.
We demand an end to this retaliation - Hands Off Gregory Koger!
- Protest at 5 PM Monday (7/29) in front of the Cook County Jail, 2700 S. California, Chicago
- Call Sheriff Tom Dart (312 603 6444) & demand an end to this retaliation!
- Sign the petition to release Gregory from jail!
Gregory Koger is a revolutionary communist and an ex-prisoner who was sent back to Cook County jail just days ago to serve the remainder of a 300-day sentence. Gregory was convicted of trespass and resisting arrest almost four years ago for peacefully videotaping a statement against censorship before the start of a public event. But this case has never been about trespass and resisting arrest. It has been about the political prosecution of a former prisoner who has become a revolutionary.
We learned today (Sunday, 7/28) that Gregory was placed on the psychiatric ward at the jail after a visit from a lawyer on Thursday and again after a visit from friends today, preventing other friends from seeing him. There is nothing wrong with Gregory's mental health. Prisoners who are making a conscious political statement by going on hunger strike are put in a dangerous situation when they are labeled "emotionally" or "mentally" unstable or possibly suicidal. That label is used to justify forced feeding at Guantanamo.
The state of California claims that the July 22 death of Bill "Guero" Sell, a 32-year old Corcoran State Prison hunger striker, was "suicide", but fellow prisoners described Sell as "strong, a good person" and openly questioned that assertion, saying it was "completely out of character for him."
By putting that label on Gregory, the jail is segregating him from other prisoners and possibly putting his health and safety in jeopardy. This situation must stop immediately.
Gregory Koger does not belong in jail at all and he certainly doesn't belong in Cook County jail's psychiatric ward. The authorities cannot be allowed to exact revenge for a righteous political stand -
Join Us to Demand an End to this Retaliation!
- Protest at 5 PM Monday (7/29) in front of the Cook County Jail, 2700 S. California, Chicago
- Call Sheriff Tom Dart (312 603 6444) & demand an end to this retaliation!
- Sign the petition to release Gregory from jail!
Sign the Emergency Call to support the California prisoners' hunger strike here and donate to publish it!
Stop Mass Incarceration Network - Chicago
stopmassincarcerationchicago@gmail.com * (312) 933-9586
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