During the first hours of Monday, February 21 we notified the guards of the beginning of our hunger strike. After completing the rigorous formalities, we were subsequently transferred to the solitary cells in maximum security, all of us were put on the same floor.
In the afternoon Camilo Pérez, Pablo Morales, Mónica Caballero, Francisco Solar y Rodolfo Retamales were taken to a hearing for a review of the interim measure, which was only another hoop in the cumbersome process in which the judge will not take the time to listen to the defense. His decision had obviously been made in advance. Preventative prison was confirmed for everyone in a hearing that lasted no more than two hours.
Tuesday night we met with the lawyers from the Public Defense who told us about the recent events and activities in the street, which highlighted the participated a group of people in active solidarity with the prisoners in the “Bombs Case” in a march against the increase of the cost of public transportation. The same day each one of us received a package sent by a group of people who played a large part in the events outside of the prison, who wanted to know about our situation. Giving this support injects a fundamental force in these moments and demonstrates that for many people solidarity is not just an empty word.
As expected, on Wednesday we were given the unfortunate news that Vinicio Aguilera and Omar Hermosilla had their conditional release revoked, so they will immediately reenter this foul place. Also as expected they both joined the hunger strike from the first moments, clearly demonstrating that they will continue without hesitation to depose the beatings of power.
During this week we were informed of the intimidation of communication carried out by prosecutor Peña against people close to and in solidarity with us. He is labeling them supporters of the supposed group, thereby threatening imminent early detention. We believe that the goal of these acts is to invoke a new uncertainty in order to stem the propagation of activities. However, despite the intention of Mr. Peña, the examples of active solidarity have not stopped.
In this manner, we learned of the march on Wednesday afternoon of over 200 people who the threats of the authorities are far way from immobilizing.
Thursday we received good news; through the gestation of the public defense lawyers, the 8th Court judge notified the prison guards that they have to release us from the punishment cells immediately, and according to his arguments, the hunger strike is a right that does not merit punishment, so now we will be transferred to the cells we were headed to before the hunger strike. It represents a success to leave the 4 days of punishment behind, but our intention is to stay united, all of us on the same floor, at least until end of the mobilization.
On average we have lost 4-5 kilos thus far in the hunger strike, but we keep our spirits up.
This is why we call for the uniting of ideas and actions of tendencies that wish to destroy the farce created by the prosecutor and his media-police montage.
NO TO THE ANTI-TERRORIST LAW, THEIR SECRET WITNESSES, AND VICIOUS LEGALITIES!
FREEDOM FOR ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS!
