nighthawk_75253
05-23-2002, 04:14 AM
From: Abolition Movement <abolitionmovement@j...>
Date: Tue May 21, 2002 3:18 am
Subject: news. Report on harassment of Demo at Texas Death Row, Sat., May 18, 2002
Protests at Death Row Illicit Illegal Reactions by
Texas State Troopers
By Gloria Rubac
After seven weekly protests condemning prison
conditions in front of the Polunsky Unit, the Texas
prison that houses death row prisoners, the State of
Texas is showing its true colors.
On Saturday, May 18, three cars of Texas State
Troopers threatened, harassed and ticketed
protesters, unaware passersby, and the goat farmer
who allows protesters to park cars and protest on his
property directly across from the prison driveway.
The prison police, the local Livingston Police, the Polk
County Sheriffs, and the prison’s Internal
Affairs Police from San Antonio have threatened
activists in previous weeks. None of these agencies deterred a single protester, a single chant, and a single
rally in front of the prison or the warden’s house.
The latest tactic of prison officials is using the Texas State Troopers.
The goat farmer across the highway from the prison told activists that before they arrived on May 18 State
Troopers came to visit him. They warned him "there would be trouble today with the protesters." The farmer got
angry with them and asked if any of them had read the US constitution or the Bill of Rights lately and told the
troopers that they still applied to Texas.
As activists arrived, three patrol cars were consulting with the prison police on the prison driveway. They then
went up and down the highway, making U-turns and coming back by. They ticketed one young woman who was
visiting because she pulled over to talk with activists. They threatened the protesters to not talk with anyone
going in the prison to visit.
When that didn't intimidate activists, the troopers then began harassing and pulling over any car on the highway
that slowed down to read our signs or give us a thumbs-up. They gave over half a dozen tickets. When
protesters videotaped the troopers, they were threatened with arrest.
"Yahoo! We must be doing something right to get this kind of reaction from the state! They sure don’t
want us supporting the prisoners struggle to change conditions, exclaimed Joaquina Rodriguez, a member of
the Texas Death Penalty Abolition Movement that began the protests in March. "We’re exposing the
crimes of the prison system."
"We’ll be back next week with more people and with the news media. The behavior of the cops was
unbelievable. I saw it with my own eyes and still can’t believe it!" said Bonnie Caraway who attends the
weekly protests with her children.
An ACLU attorney is tracking down who received tickets in front of the prison and offering to represent them as
victims of state harassment. License plates and badge numbers were recorded.
Date: Tue May 21, 2002 3:18 am
Subject: news. Report on harassment of Demo at Texas Death Row, Sat., May 18, 2002
Protests at Death Row Illicit Illegal Reactions by
Texas State Troopers
By Gloria Rubac
After seven weekly protests condemning prison
conditions in front of the Polunsky Unit, the Texas
prison that houses death row prisoners, the State of
Texas is showing its true colors.
On Saturday, May 18, three cars of Texas State
Troopers threatened, harassed and ticketed
protesters, unaware passersby, and the goat farmer
who allows protesters to park cars and protest on his
property directly across from the prison driveway.
The prison police, the local Livingston Police, the Polk
County Sheriffs, and the prison’s Internal
Affairs Police from San Antonio have threatened
activists in previous weeks. None of these agencies deterred a single protester, a single chant, and a single
rally in front of the prison or the warden’s house.
The latest tactic of prison officials is using the Texas State Troopers.
The goat farmer across the highway from the prison told activists that before they arrived on May 18 State
Troopers came to visit him. They warned him "there would be trouble today with the protesters." The farmer got
angry with them and asked if any of them had read the US constitution or the Bill of Rights lately and told the
troopers that they still applied to Texas.
As activists arrived, three patrol cars were consulting with the prison police on the prison driveway. They then
went up and down the highway, making U-turns and coming back by. They ticketed one young woman who was
visiting because she pulled over to talk with activists. They threatened the protesters to not talk with anyone
going in the prison to visit.
When that didn't intimidate activists, the troopers then began harassing and pulling over any car on the highway
that slowed down to read our signs or give us a thumbs-up. They gave over half a dozen tickets. When
protesters videotaped the troopers, they were threatened with arrest.
"Yahoo! We must be doing something right to get this kind of reaction from the state! They sure don’t
want us supporting the prisoners struggle to change conditions, exclaimed Joaquina Rodriguez, a member of
the Texas Death Penalty Abolition Movement that began the protests in March. "We’re exposing the
crimes of the prison system."
"We’ll be back next week with more people and with the news media. The behavior of the cops was
unbelievable. I saw it with my own eyes and still can’t believe it!" said Bonnie Caraway who attends the
weekly protests with her children.
An ACLU attorney is tracking down who received tickets in front of the prison and offering to represent them as
victims of state harassment. License plates and badge numbers were recorded.