Northwest Detention Center, Tacoma, Washington
February 7-9, 2018
Following a work stoppage by detainees employed in the kitchen on February 7, over 120 detainees launch a hunger strike on February 9 in protest of abuses by guards, food quality issues and other conditions.
In retaliation for the hunger strike, guards beat detainees and put them in solitary confinement, according to a legal action filed in U.S. District Court in Tacoma.
NWDC was the site of at least nine hunger strikes in 2017, according to of the group Northwest Detention Center Resistance.
Citations:
“Tacoma, Washington: ICE Detainees Begin Hunger Strike“, Democracy Now!, February 9, 2018.
“Detainee beaten, held in isolation after joining hunger strike, lawsuit states“, The News Tribune, February 23, 2018.
“Northwest Detention Center Hunger Striker Released After 20 Days in Solitary,” Seattle Weekly, March 2, 2018.
“Here’s Why Anti-ICE Protesters Blocked Downtown Traffic This Morning”, The Stranger, June 5, 2018.
“NWDC Resistance Facebook post”, NWDC Resistance, February 9, 2018.
Background:
“PHOTOS: A rare look inside Tacoma’s immigration jail“, KUOW, July 11, 2017.
“Detainees Launch Another Hunger Strike at Tacoma Immigrant Detention Center to Protest Facility Conditions”, The Stranger, August 11, 2017.
“I Stood Up to ICE, and Now They’re Trying to Deport Me“, Yes Magazine, January 17, 2018.”
