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Washington detainees on hunger strike released from confinement after lawsuit Washington detainees on hunger strike released from confinement after lawsuit
(5 months later)
Lawyers who sued the federal government on behalf of about 20 immigrant hunger strikers at a Washington state detention facility say their clients have been released from solitary confinement.Lawyers who sued the federal government on behalf of about 20 immigrant hunger strikers at a Washington state detention facility say their clients have been released from solitary confinement.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Washington and Columbia Legal Services sued on behalf of the men, and said they were returned to the general population by Friday morning after six days in solitary confinement. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Washingtonand Columbia Legal Services sued on behalf of the men, and said they were returned to the general population by Friday morning after six days in solitary confinement.
In the lawsuit filed this week, the lawyers said US immigration and customs enforcement (ICE) were unlawfully retaliating against the men for exercising their right to free speech.In the lawsuit filed this week, the lawyers said US immigration and customs enforcement (ICE) were unlawfully retaliating against the men for exercising their right to free speech.
The agency denied that and said the men had been intimidating others to join their hunger strike.The agency denied that and said the men had been intimidating others to join their hunger strike.
The hunger strikers were protesting US immigration law as well as the conditions at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma.The hunger strikers were protesting US immigration law as well as the conditions at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma.
At least 750 detainees participated in a hunger strike about a month ago to protest US immigration law as well as the conditions at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, Washington, which houses nearly 1,300 people being investigated for possible deportation. Some began a renewed hunger strike 24 March.At least 750 detainees participated in a hunger strike about a month ago to protest US immigration law as well as the conditions at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, Washington, which houses nearly 1,300 people being investigated for possible deportation. Some began a renewed hunger strike 24 March.
Three days later, guards asked several detainees if they wanted to meet with an assistant warden. After they raised their hands, they were handcuffed and placed in solitary confinement, activists said.Three days later, guards asked several detainees if they wanted to meet with an assistant warden. After they raised their hands, they were handcuffed and placed in solitary confinement, activists said.
The ACLU of Washington and Columbia Legal Services sued ICE and said they're asking a federal judge in Tacoma for a temporary restraining order to halt the practice. A hearing was set for Friday morning.The ACLU of Washington and Columbia Legal Services sued ICE and said they're asking a federal judge in Tacoma for a temporary restraining order to halt the practice. A hearing was set for Friday morning.
"Retaliating against and punishing immigrant detainees engaged in peaceful protests is an unlawful attempt to chill free speech rights," state ACLU legal director Sarah Dunne said in a written statement. "Like all civil detainees, they have free speech rights protected by the Bill of Rights.""Retaliating against and punishing immigrant detainees engaged in peaceful protests is an unlawful attempt to chill free speech rights," state ACLU legal director Sarah Dunne said in a written statement. "Like all civil detainees, they have free speech rights protected by the Bill of Rights."
In affidavits filed with the court, three detainees named as plaintiffs said they had done nothing to intimidate others.In affidavits filed with the court, three detainees named as plaintiffs said they had done nothing to intimidate others.
"I cannot challenge the allegations against me because I have not been given any information about what I allegedly did to intimidate others," said one, Ericson Gonzales."I cannot challenge the allegations against me because I have not been given any information about what I allegedly did to intimidate others," said one, Ericson Gonzales.