The Updates & Announcements newsletter for January 1, 2025. This newsletter contains the announcement of the January 8th Rally to Shut Down Red Onion and Wallens Ridge.
Updates and Announcements: January 1, 2025
Updates and Announcements: Crisis at Red Onion
Updates and announcements for December 10, 2024. These primarily relate to the crisis at Red Onion Supermax.
Crisis at Red Onion Meeting Recording
On December 7th, 2024, a community meeting sponsored by the Virginia Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality was held in Richmond, Virginia, in response to the self-immolation by men held at Red Onion State Prison. More than 100 people attended. The meeting was recorded and can be viewed via Facebook.
Crisis & Cover-up at Red Onion Super-Max
In May 2023, an inmate at Red Onion Super-Max set himself on fire in order to be transferred out of the institution where he feared for his life. At least two more men have taken the same desperate action since.
Rashid update: Hunger Strike leader in critical condition
The following is an updated version of a Fact Sheet the Defenders have sent to the media and are sending to all 140 members of the 2024 Virginia General Assembly. We are asking that they – and you, our readers – contact VADOC Director Chadwick Dotson and express support for Rashid.
Open Letter to VADOC Director Dotson (February 2024)
An open letter to Virginia Department of Corrections Director Chadwick Dotson regarding the hunger strike at Red Onion Supermax Prison, which began December 2023.
Red Onion Hunger Strike spotlights lack of transparency by VADOC leadership
Last year, a lot of incarcerated folks in Virginia thought the General Assembly had passed a law banning the use of solitary confinement. They had not: in fact, that law made some things worse. A group of men at Red Onion Supermax took matters into their own hands Dec. 26.
The Virginia Defender 