By Hannah Saunders
The 20th hunger strike at Tacoma’s Northwest Detention Center (NWDC) this year came to an end over the weekend, but may kick back up after today if conditions do not improve. Immigrants being detained initiated a hunger strike on August 12 to demand humane treatment, including access to medical care and food.
This strike came after over 70 people went almost 24 hours without food. Immigrants being detained have reported food portions being too small and comparable to “dog food,” and when served, it has come hours late and smells rancid.
“GEO came to speak with them promising new menus, bigger portions, and better food,” La Resistencia said. “The units will eat until Thursday to see if anything changes. If the conditions remain the same, the units will go back on strike for a longer period of time.”
People with illnesses are not receiving adequate care, and one person with diabetes reported vigorous shaking. Others have been left with untreated fractured bones for months. La Resistencia encouraged concerned community members to contact several elected representatives, including Congresswoman Emily Randall.
Congresswoman Randall and Oregon’s Congresswoman Maxine Dexter visited the immigration camp over the weekend, and provided an update on social media. Congresswoman Randall said she was still concerned by the time they departed.
“It’s clear that folks inside are not being treated the way they deserve, and they’re crying out for help. There is a lot of pressure from ICE leadership at the highest levels to obfuscate and deny us access to information. This is a system that is meant to make it hard for members of Congress to have oversight and visibility, and it’s a system that is meant to dehumanize the individuals who are detained here,” Congresswoman Randall said.
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