Gracias for the anti-solitary class action settlement from a named plaintiff

by Luis Esquivel

Written Sept. 2, 2015, received Sept. 21 – Can you please give me a little space in Bayview, so that I can say gracias – thank you. I’m one of the named plaintiffs in our class action lawsuit, Ashker v. Brown, at Pelican Bay SHU.

Pelican-Bay-SHU-cell-by-Adam-Tanner-Reuters-300x201, Gracias for the anti-solitary class action settlement from a named plaintiff, Abolition Now!
The settlement will empty many SHU cells of men and women who have been buried alive there for years and even decades. However, other prisoners are quickly replacing them, but the conditions for them will be a little less harsh. – Photo: Adam Tanner, Reuters

By now you have all heard that it was settled Sept. 1, 2015. I’m happy for all of us in the SHU. For now we must enjoy this ONE victory of many more to come. It’s just the beginning.

I know I’m in general population – going on six months (Step 5) in Calipatria. I feel still isolated. I wish I was back in Pelican Bay SHU so that we could celebrate this ONE victory together with my friends, mi grans amigos, because we went through a lot – a lot of work, sacrifices during them hunger strikes, preparation of the case.

So yeah, we earned it – all of us in unity, from all of the main reps, all of them, the 10 named plaintiffs, to all the prisoners in the SHUs and in general population all around the country. Gracias to everyone around the world that participated in our struggle, to all the outside supporters, organizations, newspapers, the families, loved ones, and our wonderful attorneys – legal team, staff and all of you – you are our voice.

We all did this; we all have a part in achieving this one victory. So thank you; you got a new friend. I will keep on pushing for more victories, cause this ain’t over. I know many of you are thinking the same thing, so let’s do it: “Si, se puede!”

I wish I was back in Pelican Bay SHU so that we could celebrate this ONE victory together with my friends, mi grans amigos, because we went through a lot – a lot of work, sacrifices during them hunger strikes, preparation of the case.

The Agreement to End Hostilities has been very helpful, so we must all keep it in mind, implemented. Mention it to the ones who might not understand it. It’s very serious. It is what I’m doing over here in Calipatria.

But your support or words would be of much help. So once again, from all of us: Thank you. To all those good men at Pelican Bay SHU, mis respetos and saludos. To my sisters, nieces and nephews, gracias for all your work. To Dolores (Canales) and the rest of the ladies, Sista Soul, Bay View, thank you for everything, mil gracias a todos!

In solidarity … Keep on pushing …

Luis “Happy” Esquivel

Send our brother some love and light: Luis Esquivel, E-35207, P.O. Box 5004, Calipatria, CA 92233.