Oakland Protesters Block State Building In Solidarity With Prison Hunger Strike
OAKLAND (CBS SF) - A group of activists blocked the front entrance to the state building in downtown Oakland Monday morning in support of California prisoners who are participating in a hunger strike over the issue of solitary confinement.
The activists arrived at the state building, located at 1515 Clay St., shortly before 8 a.m., said Oakland resident Carl Patrick, 26, a spokesman for the group.
"Folks will be here as long as we have to be this morning," he said.
He said the group is calling on Gov. Jerry Brown and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to enter into "meaningful negotiations" with the prisoners.
"We primarily are here to end torture," Patrick said. "We believe that long-term solitary confinement is torture."
At least six of the protesters have chained themselves to the entryway, building office assistant Danielo Guevara said. At least six others are standing in front of the building.
He said workers have to enter through the back of the building Monday morning.
As of 8:30 a.m., Guevara said he had not seen any police monitoring the protest.
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