OWS Protestor Mark Adams Goes on Hunger Strike in Prison
Sometimes ordinary human beings accomplish extraordinary feats of courage.
From FDL:
Mark Adams, sentenced to 45 days (of which he is expected to serve 28 at Rikers Island) for his involvement in the December 17 reoccupation attempt, has reportedly begun a hunger strike.
http://my.firedoglake.com/...
Ironically Mark Adams made this video:
The website Support Mark Adams was able to obtain a message from Adams via his lawyer:
Yesterday, Trinity Wall Street “Church,” the NYPD and the State of New York sentenced me to forty five days in jail for my political beliefs and actions. … On [December 17], my intention was to facilitate the on-going efforts to convince Trinity Church that our use of the space was consistent with their principles and mission. I wanted the unused and deserted lot to the community within Occupy Wall Street and beyond, so that through collective grassroots effort we would build an alternative society built on mutual aid, solidarity and anti-oppression.
For those intentions, I am now serving a forty-five day sentence on Riker’s Island. In response I have taken my protest out of the streets and into the jails. As of 2pm June 18, 2012 … I have been on a hunger strike. I will continue the hunger strike until I am released, to draw attention to the political nature of my arrest, sentencing and the greater themes and goals of the occupy wall street movement. This punishment has further strengthened my resolve to build a society, alongside my comrades, that does not further the corporate agenda of the prison industrial complex, compassion for all, community, solidarity, and mutual aid for all. Everything for everybody.
http://supportmarkadams.wordpress.com/...
Now what exactly did Mark Adams do wrong?
His offense? Gaining access to a patch of open land, known as Duarte Square on December 17, 2011, which is owned by Trinity Wall St based on a 1705 land deed. Because he allegedly used cutters on the fence, Mark was charged with possessing burglary tools. So keen was the judge to endorse this concept that he sentenced Adams to 15 days more than the prosecution asked for.
http://www.nicholasmirzoeff.com/...
In my opinion there should have been zero punishment (because "Adams, Packard and the others simply climbed the fence to walk onto land marked with a sign saying “open to the public.”")
http://www.nicholasmirzoeff.com/...
the sentencing is just beyond cruel and unusual for such an absurd offense.