Retiring Arizona Prison Watch...


This site was originally started in July 2009 as an independent endeavor to monitor conditions in Arizona's criminal justice system, as well as offer some critical analysis of the prison industrial complex from a prison abolitionist/anarchist's perspective. It was begun in the aftermath of the death of Marcia Powell, a 48 year old AZ state prisoner who was left in an outdoor cage in the desert sun for over four hours while on a 10-minute suicide watch. That was at ASPC-Perryville, in Goodyear, AZ, in May 2009.

Marcia, a seriously mentally ill woman with a meth habit sentenced to the minimum mandatory 27 months in prison for prostitution was already deemed by society as disposable. She was therefore easily ignored by numerous prison officers as she pleaded for water and relief from the sun for four hours. She was ultimately found collapsed in her own feces, with second degree burns on her body, her organs failing, and her body exceeding the 108 degrees the thermometer would record. 16 officers and staff were disciplined for her death, but no one was ever prosecuted for her homicide. Her story is here.

Marcia's death and this blog compelled me to work for the next 5 1/2 years to document and challenge the prison industrial complex in AZ, most specifically as manifested in the Arizona Department of Corrections. I corresponded with over 1,000 prisoners in that time, as well as many of their loved ones, offering all what resources I could find for fighting the AZ DOC themselves - most regarding their health or matters of personal safety.

I also began to work with the survivors of prison violence, as I often heard from the loved ones of the dead, and learned their stories. During that time I memorialized the Ghosts of Jan Brewer - state prisoners under her regime who were lost to neglect, suicide or violence - across the city's sidewalks in large chalk murals. Some of that art is here.

In November 2014 I left Phoenix abruptly to care for my family. By early 2015 I was no longer keeping up this blog site, save occasional posts about a young prisoner in solitary confinement in Arpaio's jail, Jessie B.

I'm deeply grateful to the prisoners who educated, confided in, and encouraged me throughout the years I did this work. My life has been made all the more rich and meaningful by their engagement.

I've linked to some posts about advocating for state prisoner health and safety to the right, as well as other resources for families and friends. If you are in need of additional assistance fighting the prison industrial complex in Arizona - or if you care to offer some aid to the cause - please contact the Phoenix Anarchist Black Cross at PO Box 7241 / Tempe, AZ 85281. collective@phoenixabc.org

until all are free -

MARGARET J PLEWS (June 1, 2015)
arizonaprisonwatch@gmail.com



INDIGENOUS ACTION MEDIA

INDIGENOUS ACTION MEDIA
ANTICOLONIAL zines, stickers, actions, power

Taala Hooghan Infoshop

Kinlani/Flagstaff Mutual AID

MASS LIBERATION AZ

MASS LIBERATION AZ
The group for direct action against the prison state!

Black Lives Matter PHOENIX METRO

Black Lives Matter PHOENIX METRO
(accept no substitutions)

BLACK PHX ORGANIZING COLLECTIVE

BLACK PEOPLE's JUSTICE FUND

PHOENIX: Trans Queer Pueblo

COVID Mutual AID PHOENIX

AZ Prison Watch BLOG POSTS:


Friday, March 5, 2010

CALL Brewer: VETO Fascist Legislation HB2632/SB1070.

We need to stop this here, folks. If the governor gets overwhelming citizen feedback to veto, then maybe she'll square off with Pearce over this...  This is the alert from the Border Action network - great links embedded!
 
DON'T LET THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR OFF THE HOOK!

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
**Join us on Wednesday, March 10th at 12:00pm**
to deliver thousands of postcards to Arizona Governor Jan Brewer telling her to VETO HB2632/SB1070!

Why: Russell Pearce's SB1070 (and similar House version HB2632) is the most far-reaching anti-immigrant bills ever introduced in the Arizona legislature. The bill rolls together seven bills that Pearce has tried to push through the last few years but failed. This year, because of the make-up of the both the legislature and governor, they are likely to become law very quickly.  Click here to read what this bill would do.

Don't let the legislature and the Governor off the hook! Enough is enough!

Let them know they are driving Arizona down a disastrous path that will 1) cost the state millions, 2) chase away businesses, 3) penalize people looking for work, and 4) make our communities less safe and policing less effective.
Here's what you can do:


1. Wednesday, March 10th --Tell Governor Brewer to VETO SB1070/HB2632! Join us at her office at 1700 W. Washington St. in Phoenix
to deliver thousands of postcards demanding she veto a bill that will cost our state millions while attempting to drive out immigrant families. Hear from the breadth of Arizona leaders who are opposed to this legislation and announce the next steps to challenge this law and its proponents like Russell Pearce.

For Southern Arizonans:
A bus will be leaving from 842 S. 6th Avenue, Tucson at 9:30am sharp. Reserve your seat today and RSVP HERE! They will go quick. Plan on returning by 3:30pm and bring your own lunch.


2. Download this postcard and get your friends and family to sign hundreds of them. Bring them on Wednesday or drop them off at Border Action Network's office at 842 S. 6th Avenue, Tucson.

3. If you cannot print and sign postcards, sign our online Petition to Governor Brewer urging her to VETO HB2632/SB1070! We will add your name and information to a postcard and deliver them to her office on Wednesday, March 10th.

4.  Sign up to Receive E-Alerts
on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to bombard the legislature and Governor with emails, phone calls and faxes. The Senate already passed Russell Pearce's SB1070. The House of Representatives has two floor votes left for HB2632 and they're likely to rush them through early next week. Don't let them do it without hearing from you!
5.  Download a handout
of all of this information.  If you do not have access to a computer or Internet, this document includes the names and phone numbers of key legislators and the Governor so that you can urge to vote NO and VETO HB2632/SB1070!
for more information.
PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO ALL OF YOUR ARIZONA CONTACTS!

¡NO PERMITA QUE LA GOBERNADORA SE SALGA CON LA SUYA!

¡YA BASTA!



Este Miércoles, 10 de Marzo a las 12:00pm, Únete con nosotros para entregar miles de tarjetas postales a la Gobernadora Jan Brewer exigiéndole que
VETA a SB1070/HB2632

Porque: SB1070, es un proyecto de ley patrocinado por el Senador Russell Pearce (hay una versión similar en la Cámara de Representantes HB2632) es una de las propuestas anti-inmigrantes mas amplias e horrorosas que han sido introducidas en la legislatura estatal. Esta propuesta combina siete otras propuestas que el Sen. Pearce había fallado de promover en años atrás. Este año, por la composición de la legislatura y con la gobernadora Brewer, esta propuesta tiene una gran probabilidad de ser aprobada.
Pulsa aquí para mirar los proyectos de ley y lo que pudiera pasar con estos.

¡No permita que la Legislatura y la Gobernadora se salgan con la suya! ¡Ya Basta!

Están llevando a Arizona en un camino desastroso que 1) le costara a el estado millones de dólares, 2) cerrara negocios, 3) penalizara los que buscan trabajo, 4) creara mas inseguridad en nuestras comunidades, y 5) hará a la policía menos efectiva en proteger la seguridad publica.

Lo que usted puede hacer:

1. Miércoles, 10 de marzo -Dígale a la Gobernadora Brewer que VETA SB1070/HB2632! Únete con la comunidad enfrente de su oficina a las 12:00pm en el 1700 W. Washington St.,
Phoenix para entregarle miles de tarjetas postales exigiendo que VETA esta propuesta. Escucharemos a lideres de varios sectores hablando de su oposición a esta propuesta y los anuncios de los próximos pasos para desafiar esta propuesta y sus patrocinadores como Russell Pearce.

Para los Arizonenses en el Sur: Un camión saldrá de la oficina de Acción Fronteriza en 842 S. 6ta Avenida a las 9:30am al punto. Reserva tu asiento hoy y
RSVP aquí!
Se llenara rápido el camión. Regresáramos cerca de 3:30pm y no olvides traer tu lunche.

2. Download, baja este postal del Internet
y pide a tus amigos y familiares que firmen cientos de ellas. Tráelos al evento del Miércoles o déjalos en la oficina de Acción Fronteriza a 842 S. 6ta Avenida, Tucson.

3.  Si no puede imprimir ni firmar las postales, firme nuestra petición para decirle a la Gobernadora Brewer
que rechaze HB2632/SB1070! Añaderemos su nombre e información a una postal y las llevaremos a la oficina de la Gobernadora el miércoles, 10 de marzo.

4. Regístrate para recibir alertas urgentes
el Lunes, Martes y Miércoles para bombardear la legislatura y la gobernadora con llamadas, correos electrónicos y faxes. El Senado ya aprobó SB1070. La Cámara de Representantes les quedan dos votos finales, con HB2632 y los harán rápido en la semana que entra. Hemos escuchado reportes que la gobernadora firmara la propuesta cuando llegue a su escritorio. No permites que lo hagan sin saber de la resistencia y coraje de nuestra comunidad. No dejes que lo hagan sin que escuchen directamente de ti!

5 Download, baja un flier
 de esta informacion.  Si no tienes acceso a computadora ni a Internet, este documento incluye los nombres y numeros de los legisladores y la gobernadora, para que puedas decirles NO, VOTA NO y RECHAZA HB2632/SB1070!
para más información
POR FAVOR, REENVIA ESTE EMAIL A TODOS SUS CONTACTOS EN ARIZONA!

1 comment:

Legislation Forum said...

AZLegislation.com was present at the House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee today as they passed an amended version of the bill with a vote of 5-2. SB1070 now goes to the House Committee of the Whole House of Representatives.

The proponents of SB1070 were there in force today!

Join the conversation at AZLegislation.com