O’Malley to Join Protests Calling for End to Immigrant Detention/Forced Feedings by ICE

O'Malley is taking an important stand in calling for the end to Immigrant Detention in Arizona. Many of those jailed are on hunger strikes and are enduring forced feeding by ICE.

For Immediate Release

Contacts: Caroline Picker, Puente, media@puenteaz.org, 510-501-7276

Jose Aristimuño, O’Malley for President, jaristimuno@martinomalley.com, 202-469-2655

Democratic Presidential Candidate Martin O’Malley to Call for End to Immigrant Detention

Governor O’Malley to Join People Directly Impacted by Detention to Stand With Current Hunger Strikers, Call for Closure of All Immigrant Detention Centers



What: Press Conference Against Immigrant Detention and in support of detention hunger strikers

When: Thursday, December 10 at 5pm

Where: in front of Arpaio’s 4th Avenue Jail (201 S 4th Ave)

Who: Presidential Candidate Martin O’Malley, Puente, immigrants impacted by detention and deportation



Phoenix, AZ—As Democratic presidential candidates issue their immigration platforms, hundred of people have been on hunger strike in detention centers across the country, calling for their release and an end to the unjust and inhumane practice of incarcerating immigrants while they fight their deportation cases. While ICE is torturing detainees with forced feeding and sleep deprivation, candidates Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton have failed to do the right thing and support the hunger strikers by advocating for their demands. In addition, ICE continues to collaborate with notorious Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, with ICE agents stationed inside his jails and setting immigrant up for deportation.

Governor Martin O’Malley says, “There is a cost of Congress’ failure to responsibly fix our inhumane immigration system that is ripping apart families. We cannot ignore the voices of New Americans who have not been given due process and who are now resorting to hunger strikes in order to be heard. New Americans represent the values that this country was founded on, and as President, I will stop unjust detention and fix this system for good.”

Francisca Porchas of Puente says, “We need candidates to match the leadership shown by hunger strikers in detention to address the ongoing crisis of detention and deportation that our community faces. Immigrant detention constitutes cruel and unusual punishment and needs to be completely dismantled.”