Gerardo Hernandez Held in 'The Hole'
in Prison Despite No Infractions
by FCO / Pastors for Peace
Once Again the US government has imposed another cruel punishment
against Gerardo Hernandez, one of the Cuban 5 imprisoned in the US for
fighting against terrorism.
On July 21st, without committing any infraction, Gerardo was
taken to the hole. The hole is an inhumane windowless space of 7 x 3
feet reserved for prisoners who the prison authorities, for what ever
reason, want to isolate. Gerardo is sharing this small space with
another prisoner and there is very little ventilation because the air
comes from just a small vent on the top of a wall. Temperatures in
Victorville are running as high as 105 degrees now and in the space of
this tiny cell it is around 95 degrees. He is not allowed to take a
shower and is being taken outside in a cage only one hour every other
day. Gerardo has been seen by his sister Isabel through a glass with a
phone.
Although Gerardo is still young, 12 years of living in high
security penitentiaries is taking its toll and recently Gerardo began
experiencing some health issues including high blood pressure. In
April he requested a medical appointment and finally on July 20, three
months later, he was seen by a doctor. Currently there is a bacterium
that is circulating through the prison with some of those cases being
serious. The doctor had prescribed a blood test for Gerardo but
instead of receiving that he was abruptly taken to the hole the next
day.
For Over A Week Gerardo Hernandez Nordelo Has Been Held In
The
Hole At Victorville Prison Despite Committing Any Infraction.
This new harassment against Gerardo takes place at a critical
time when he is preparing his Habeas Corpus presented to the courts in
June. It is alarming that this is the third time that Gerardo has
found himself in the hole while preparing for an appeal.
The violations against Gerardo are endless and it has to stop
immediately. During 12 years he has been denied the basic right to
receive visits from his wife Adriana. Gerardo like his four brothers
is innocent and the United States knows that his only crime was to
defend his country against terrorist attacks.
Instead of freeing them and sending them back to their homeland
and their families, as has been demanded by the Cuban people, 10 Nobel
Prize and thousands of people from all over the world, the Obama
Administration has picked up where Bush left off by punishing Gerardo
at every turn.
Along with the Cuban people and the international community we
hold the US government responsible for the life and physical integrity
of Gerardo.
It is very important for every supporter of the Cuban Five and
all justice loving people who receive this message to call, fax, mail
or e-mail immediately to the numbers and addresses below to demand
that Gerardo be:
* Returned immediately to the general population
* Receive urgent medical attention
* Allowed visits by his wife Adriana Perez
* Given space and respect as he prepares for his appeals
US State Department
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520
Phone Number: 1-202-647-4000
Fax Number: 1-202-647-2283
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Director Harley G. Lappin
320 First St., NW,
Washington, DC 20534
Phone Number: 202-307-3198.
President Barack Obama
White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Phone Number: 202-456-1111
Fax Number: 202-456-2461.
US Justice Department
Attorney General Eric Holder
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001
Phone Number: 202-514-2000
Comment Line: 202-353-1555
