Hunger striker: We’ve all come a long way to settle for less

by Robbie Riva

Kendra-Robbie-daughter-2010, Hunger striker: We’ve all come a long way to settle for less, Abolition Now!
Robbie Riva, Kendra Castaneda and their daughter visit at Calipatria State Prison in 2010. For prisoners, family is the highest priority and visits the greatest joy. With no rehabilitation from CDCR, the love and encouragement of their family sustains them.

First and foremost, our highest regards are extended to every single person who stood in solidarity and sacrificed their health to be heard during our third peaceful protest.

CDCR tried their hardest to deceive the public by defaming our peaceful movement. They labeled us and attacked our character as a collective.

Our peaceful protests have nothing to do with furthering “gangs” or “prison politics,” which CDCR loosely reported. They have ALL to do with amplifying our voices to let the world know that the bodies this nation holds captive in its isolation chambers are human beings too.

This system was built to break souls and deteriorate minds. Its foundation was constructed of cold concrete and cold steel with the objective to drain the life out of its trapped souls.

CDCR campaigns to the taxpayers by glamorizing their “tough on crime” rhetoric when their main goal is actually to fatten their wallets.

Our peaceful protests have nothing to do with furthering “gangs.” They have ALL to do with amplifying our voices to let the world know that the bodies this nation holds captive in its isolation chambers are human beings too.

Now that they’ve come under so much scrutiny, CDCR comes up with their idea of a solution to their long-term segregation practice that’s titled “SDP” – Step Down Program. This program only makes their grip tighter and broadens their discretion on who’s coming and going in and out these SHUs and ASUs [Security Housing Units and Administrative Segregations Units, two types of solitary confinement – ed.]

Robbie-daughter-2010, Hunger striker: We’ve all come a long way to settle for less, Abolition Now!
Happiness is a family visit.

This is not a solution. This is their way of controlling the population within their high priced dungeons.

They’re very adamant about getting us to sign and participate in their “SDP” as if they care. No, the reason they want our cooperation in this program is so they can turn around and present the signatures of their “SDP participants” to the legislators and other government bodies as their Exhibit A, subtitled “Progress.”

We’ve all come a long way to settle for less and allow CDCR to use us as their “exhibit.” Our families and loved ones have endured the struggles and stress alongside us. And with a hoarse voice, they’re still making sure to be heard. Our gratitude is undying.

“If they want to invade us and destroy the resistance, they will not succeed … because as long as a single man or woman with honor remains, there will be resistance.” – Fidel Castro

In solidarity,

Robbie Riva

Send our brother some love and light: Robbie Riva, T-49359, CCI SHU 4B-1C-108, P.O. Box 1906, Tehachapi CA 93581.