SourceAlexis Giraldo v. CA Department of Corrections Court Watch & Trial Updates
July 26, 2007, 4 pm
URGENT COMMUNITY ALERT!
COMMUNITY ALERT * FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday July 26th, 2007
Contact: Miss Major, Trans/Gender Variant In Prison Committee (TIP) 415-252-1444, cell: 510-712-3331
Nat Smith, TIP, Critical Resistance
415-314-0867
COMMUNITY PROTESTS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AGAINST TRANSPEOPLE IN CALIFORNIA PRISONS
Join the silent protest at the courthouse, make calls to Attorney General Jerry Brown and Federal Receiver Robert Sillen to support a transgender woman rape survivor.
When: 8:00am – 9:30am Monday July 30th, 2007.
Where: Civic Center Courthouse, 400 McAllister Street @ Polk St, San Francisco.
Clothing: Wear RED, as Alexis has chosen the color as a symbol of the hurt and pain caused by the violence and discrimination against our communities, as well as a way to express power in loving solidarity. If you are planning on going into the courtroom, please bring other articles of non-RED clothing as the judge has asked us to stop this practice in the courtroom.
The Trans/Gender Variant In Prison Committee (TIP) will hold a silent protest outside the courthouse to support Ms. Alexis Giraldo, a Latina transgender rape survivor who is suing the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for failure to protect her despite her requests for help. TIP members and supporters will also make calls to Attorney General Jerry Brown and Federal Receiver Robert Sillen throughout the day.
"This case seeks to mandate the state to develop new and better measures to protect transgender people in prison. Prisons do not make us safer. The elements of male and white supremacy central to sexual violence are also intrinsically linked to the strength of the prison industrial complex," says TIP member Jayden Donahue.
The trial has been marked by repeated attacks on Ms. Giraldo's credibility by the State Attorney General, claiming that Ms. Giraldo not only lied about being raped but also failed to report the assaults despite her ample paperwork documenting the contrary. Lawyers continue to refer to Ms. Alexis Giraldo as "he" and "him," clearly disrespecting her in the courtroom.
Valerie Jenness, a University of California, Irvine, criminologist who recently studied sexual assaults in California prisons, testified that 59% of the state's transgender prisoners have reported being sexually assaulted, compared with 4% of the general prison population. (International Herald Tribune, July 20th, 2007)
SILENT PROTEST
Ms. Giraldo has repeatedly told us that community support gives her the strength and courage she needs, as she puts herself on the line to make a better world for all of us.
TIP is requesting community presence at a silent protest to take place outside the courthouse. Attendees will hold provided signs and cover their mouths to demonstrate the daily violence all transgender prisoners face. Our cries go un-heard and unheeded and/or we are retaliated against for raising our voices.
Please let TIP know how many individuals from your organization will be able to attend the protest by calling Miss Major or Nat Smith.
CALLS TO ATTORNEY GENERAL JERRY BROWN AND FEDERAL PRISON HEALTH CARE RECEIVER ROBERT SILLEN
Community members will also make phone calls to demand policy change in California's prison system, and an end to the antagonistic and transphobic treatment of Ms. Giraldo.
Please visit TGIJP for talking points and trial updates.
TIP is a project of the Transgender and Intersex Justice Project (TGIJP).
