Demonstration Rocks the Women’s Prisons in Chowchilla

By Corey Weinstein

10/21/2007

I’ve been attending demonstrations at the two Chowchilla prisons for women for many years.  But Saturday October 20th was a new experience for me.  Let me just say this: it was nothing like any of the previous demonstrations with the same 42 people in attendance.  In the evening at home after a few glasses of wine I just started crying tears of joy and appreciation for all the organizing that went into such a successful event, and for the young people who showed up strong.

There were 200 people assembled at CCWF for a spirited march to VSPW led by a drum corps.  Twice on the march the throng stopped at places where we could see CCWF prisoners on the yard.  We made lots of noise and got lots of waves from the women in return.  Chanting, yelling and screaming kept the noise level very high during the 30 minute march.  There were lots of great signs demanding decent health care; parole for lifers; an end to physical abuse of women, especially the new pepper spray called Orange Crush; Dignity for Women Prisoners, etc.  The mood was joyous and raucous and I was carried along on the high energy of the youthful demonstrators.  There was a busload from the Bay Area and one from Los Angeles, and many cars full of folks from north, south and the Valley. 

The rally formed up at one of the huge concrete signs in front of VSPW.  The speakers stood on a little boulder in the flower garden.  Tongue in cheek awards were given to corrections officials for jobs we wish they had done well.  X-cons and young organizers spoke out about their experiences and goals.  I spoke briefly during open mic to describe the Dignity for Women Prisoners Campaign demand of removing male staff from the housing units and S and E posts, and introduce our Campaign manger, Pat Parker.  The attendees understood immediately what I had said and contacted Pat to help the Campaign in LA.   The rally could be heard from VSPW all the way back to CCWF.  That flat Central Valley sure carries sound well.  So the women at CCWF could see us marching and then hear the rally too.  I met old friends and made new ones, all while being well cared for by the organizers of the event. 

It was a great day for our movement for decency and human rights in our prisons, and an end to mass incarceration.

Some photos of the protest at Central Valley State Prison on October 20, 2007