Phone Zap for Freedom for HH Gonzales
Editor’s note: this call comes from MAPS
*** Update from MAPS! ***
We don’t have to escalate now because phone calls from family yesterday got him out tonight! This shows how powerful shining a public spotlight on MDOC abuse can be.
Harold Gonzales (aka “HH,” our long-time comrade) has done everything in his power to make parole in the next few months and return to his family. Now, just short of his parole hearing, staff at Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility in Ionia, MI, have thrown HH in the hole on a “Notice of Intent” (NOI). This means that they have no evidence to write him a ticket, but are holding him pending investigation. We need your help getting HH out of the hole and home to his family.
HH’s bunk mate was caught with a cell phone, most likely smuggled in by staff. The bunk mate lied and said it was HH’s phone, even though it was in the bunk mate’s “area of control” of the cell. HH is Black, and the bunk mate is white. HH had nothing to do with the phone and knows nothing about it, and there is no body cam footage or other evidence linking him to the phone. This is a case of racist scapegoating!
Call Bellamy Creek Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (Jan. 29–31, 2025) during regular business hours to demand that they release HH from the hole. There is no just cause to hold him, and they are endangering his bid for parole and risking his freedom. Let us know know how it went at maps@riseup.net.
Script
“Hi. I’m calling in concern about the unfair treatment of Harold Gonzales, #194496. You are holding Mr. Gonzales in segregation for something his bunk mate did. He already told you he knows nothing about it, and he can’t give you information he doesn’t have. I believe this is racist targeting of a Black prisoner who is at no fault. He is over a year ticket free, and now you’re jeopardizing his chance of parole with no evidence. You’re also restricting his ability to communicate with family. As a member of the public, I won’t stand for this racist scapegoating. You need to drop the Notice of Intent and let him out of segregation immediately.”
Numbers
Remember, you never have to give your name or number when you call in. Dial *67 to protect your Caller ID.
Bellamy Creek: (*67) 616-527-2510
Press 0 for the operator, then ask for the warden’s office and leave a message. If you have time, call back and ask to speak to one of the inspectors.
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