Standing in solidarity at Lane Murray

by Aisha Bailey

Our comrade, Britney Gulley, has once again been attacked by a racist, homophobic ranking correctional officer. The injustice here continues to progress. Federal and state laws are constantly being violated. The targeting of those who exercise their constitutional rights, are Black or transgender is a small drop in the ocean of corruption at the Lane Murray Unit.

Now they are targeting those of us who refuse to be silent and courageously expose the corruption. The attack on our comrade has ignited a movement behind the enemy lines. In solidarity, we are speaking out and are saying, “No more.” When you attack one of us, you are attacking all of us. Prisoner lives do matter.

When an officer can come to your cell and wake you up with racial epithets and homophobic slurs, where is the safety? Who can we seek for protection when we are victimized by the officers paid to protect us?

It is torturous when an officer can come to your cell and wake you up in such a manner. How should we respond? What should we do when an officer full of fury and retaliation opens our cell door? Where is the camera footage to show the blatant targeting? Body cameras should also be required for correctional officers.

The attempted annihilation of our comrade is an intimidation tactic meant to silence us. Yet it has motivated even those who are normally quiet. Britney’s plight, like that of George Floyd, is a cause for change. 

The boisterous mutiny by our community will hopefully motivate the administration to free our comrade. It is time for them to acknowledge the policy and procedural violations committed by staff members. Disciplinary infractions should be imposed on the staff as well.

So, my comrades, I ask you to speak up – Britney’s fight is our fight as well. A fight for change. In the words of the late Aretha Franklin: “You have to disturb the peace when you can’t get no peace.”

Prisoner lives do matter.

Send our sister some love and light: Aisha Bailey, 1212562, Lane Murray Unit, 1916 N Hwy 36 Bypass, Gatesville TX 76596.

The post Standing in solidarity at Lane Murray appeared first on San Francisco Bay View.