FreeCeCe McDonald

CeCe’s back in St. Cloud: Show her some love!

Sat, 06 Apr 2013 19:53:24 -0400

CeCe’s back in St. Cloud: Show her some love!:

Our sweet CeCe got transferred to Stillwater and back again. Please send her much love by sending her a letter, book or the good vibes!

Dear CeCe Supporter,

As was previously announced, CeCe was transferred to MCF-Stillwater, at her own request, at the beginning of March. She was enrolled in the Atlantis treatment program there, which operates in a separate unit from the general population. She was glad to be at Stillwater for a number of reasons, but was quickly frustrated with the program because of issues ranging from blatant transphobia in the program to the snitching culture that is fostered within it. We are unclear on the specifics, but she was kicked out and placed in segregation within a few weeks of being there, and received an additional 30 days onto her sentence as a disciplinary measure. After repeated pleas from her and her advocates to remain at Stillwater and be placed in the general population there, she was instead transferred back to St. Cloud recently. She remains in segregation.

We are still unsure where she will be placed for the remainder of her sentence, but in the meantime we are calling on folks far and wide to write to her immediately! Send her your love and let her know she is not alone, that we are all watching out for her, and that we got her back!

Chrishaun McDonald
OID#238072
Minnesota Correctional Facility-St. Cloud
2305 Minnesota Boulevard S.E.
St. Cloud, MN 56304

Keep an eye on this website, or sign up for our mailing list, for the latest information.

With many thanks and lots of love,

CeCe McDonald Support Committee

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!SIGNAL...

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 20:58:00 -0400

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!SIGNAL BOOST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

allfiercefemmes:

shotclinic:

“…what some of you might not know is that many of the positions and roles Roxanne Anderson [has] taken on are ones that have no or little payment attached to them…”
Help out our (unpaid) Executive Director so they can continue to do the great work we can’t pay them to do!

http://www.gofundme.com/2e5hxw

!!!!!!!!!!!SIGNAL BOOST!!!!!!!!!!!!

Roxanne is amazing and does amazing work for everyone in the community, work that is mostly unpaid. Please support them so that they can continue to do this work so not only the programs they work with can stay alive but also so that they can stay healthy. Love us some Roxanne!!!!

Roxanne has been a big supporter of CeCe’s from the start. They actually own a small community Cafe where CeCe worked when she was on house arrest. AND Roxanne is holding CeCe’s job for her so it will be ready and waiting for her when she get’s out of prison. Roxanne is a community asset that we NEED to help out!

CECE’S BEEN TRANSFERRED from St Cloud to Stillwater! If...

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 22:42:54 -0500

CECE’S BEEN TRANSFERRED from St Cloud to Stillwater! If you’ve been writing to her, sending her books, or visiting, make sure to check the Support CeCe website for the most up-to-date info, including her address and new visiting info.

Chrishaun McDonald OID #238072 Minnesota Correctional Facility-Stillwater
970 Pickett Street
Bayport, Minnesota 55003-1490

For more detailed info on exactly how letters must be to get to her please check her website: https://supportcece.wordpress.com/

LESLIE STATES “NOT GUILTY”— JUDGE CONVICTS BUT...

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 19:31:09 -0500

LESLIE STATES “NOT GUILTY”—
JUDGE CONVICTS BUT STAYS SENTENCE

Leslie Feinberg declared she/ze was “not guilty” today (2/4/13) on a charge of 3rd degree gross misdemeanor (property damage) for spray painting “Free CeCe Now” on the walls and pillars of the courthouse/jail in Minneapolis.

Based on police reports of Leslie’s actions, which were not in dispute, the judge found Leslie “guilty,” and asked if she/ze had anything to say before sentencing.

Leslie said: “I am a revolutionary journalist and member of the National Writers Union, UAW Local 1981. I am not guilty of any wrongdoing. I delivered the people’s verdict on the jailhouse walls. The real crimes are going on behind the walls where CeCe McDonald is imprisoned.”

“By sentencing CeCe McDonald to prison, Minneapolis sent a green light to neo-fascists at a time of growing racist lynching and massacres in the U.S. CeCe was attacked and survived at a time when an increasing number of transwomen of color are being assaulted and murdered.

“Racist mass incarceration is the crime, as even a former Hennepin County prosecutor admitted in an article—that Minnesota has the greatest racist disparity in sentencing of any state in the U.S.

“The world is watching CeCe McDonald’s struggle. I’m proud to add my voice to the tens of thousands of people who demand: Free CeCe!”

The judge admitted that Leslie’s action was an act of “civil disobedience.”

Then the judge stayed the imposition of sentence for 2 years. During that time, Leslie is on informal probation. This means if Leslie is not convicted of any additional “property damage” for 24 months, the 3rd degree gross misdemeanor charge will be dismissed.

The prosecutor did not pursue court expenses or a fine. Leslie walked out of the courtroom without having to perform community service or report to a probation officer.

Leslie was ordered to pay more than $1300 for the erasure of the political demand she/ze wrote on the wall. Leslie stated after court, “I refuse to pay for the censorship of the political demand Free CeCe Now!

Local Free CeCe organizers were present in the courtroom. Many CeCe supporters in the U.S. and around the world sent tweets, e-mails, faxes, and made phone calls to help deliver the people’s verdict—Free CeCe!—to the Minneapolis mayor and prosecutor.

VIA Leslie Feinberg “Leslie Feinberg trial information Leslie is ordered to appear in court...

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 02:00:55 -0500

VIA Leslie Feinberg
“Leslie Feinberg trial information

Leslie is ordered to appear in court
Feb. 4 at 9 am
Hennepin County “Public Safety” Facility
401 Fourth Ave. South Minneapolis, MN
Look on the blue monitors for assigned courtroom.

Bruce Nestor & the National Lawyers Guild
are defending Leslie in the court of the 1%.

Please bring “Free CeCe” signs
for a big group solidarity photo
in support of CeCe McDonald on Feb. 4
Please wear buttons/t-shirts,
& purple in solidarity with CeCe.

[for more information about
CeCe McDonald’s struggle:
supportcece.wordpress.com/]

Children of all ages welcome,
including infants and toddlers.
Leslie will bring crayons & paper!

###

Help signal boost the peoples’ verdict — “Free CeCe!”

Deliver that message to Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and the city prosecutor — a mayoral political appointee:

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak — twitter: @MayorRTRybak; email: rt@minneapolis.org; fax: (612) 673-2305; phone: (612) 673-2100.

Minneapolis City Attorney Susan Segal — email: Minneapolis311@ci.minneapolis.mn.us; fax: (612) 673-2189; phone: (612) 673-2010.”

CeCe’s latest blog entry to her community of supporters!...

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 22:34:02 -0500

CeCe’s latest blog entry to her community of supporters! Please share far and wide!
“Learn to be accepting and learn to love, not just others but YOURSELF! And if you think there is not one person who loves you, know that I do…”

http://supportcece.wordpress.com/category/ceces-blog

READ CECE’S NEW BLOG POST: On Trans Day of Remembrance:...

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 21:26:40 -0500

READ CECE’S NEW BLOG POST:

On Trans Day of Remembrance: A Proposal

”..we are all worth it, worthy, beautiful, strong, more than a binary, are able to become self-actualized, can and have already succeeded as a person, and of course, leaders.” -CeCe McDonald

http://supportcece.wordpress.com/2012/11/16/on-trans-day-of-remembrance-a-proposal/

Trans Women in San Diego Prison Stage Hunger Strike Filed By...

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 00:41:21 -0400

Trans Women in San Diego Prison Stage Hunger Strike

Filed By Tobi Hill-Meyer

Two trans women incarcerated in the R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego County have been on hunger strike for over a week in an attempt to be allowed to share a cell together. Because they are trans, prison officials refuse to take them off single-cell status. Presumably, they have both been restricted to being in single cells to prevent them from having to share a cell with a man, however, it’s clear that this is not for their own protection when there are two of them and they want to share a cell together.

According to a statement released yesterday, the hunger strike began on Friday September 21st and they are asking their supporters to call in and help:

Call Warden Paramo the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility: (619) 661-6500

Demand that Eva Contreraz (C-45857) and Catarine LaPre (K-67313) be take off single-cell status and be allowed to share a cell. Demand that an end to the discriminatory housing policy against trans women in the correctional facility.

Isolation has commonly been a discriminatory practice prison’s have used against trans prisoners, and many confine trans prisoners to solitary confinement in order to avoid having to place them with either men or women. Often, such solitary confinement ends up being over extended periods of time or even throughout the duration of incarceration, despite many indications that extended solitary confinement can cause lasting psychological damage and may be considered cruel and unusual punishment.

Being restricted to a single cell appears to be a different practice than solitary confinement. Nonetheless, it is a discriminatory practice where trans prisoners are subjected to additional punishment that other prisoners do not have to deal with.

Earlier this year the Prison Rape Elimination Act regulations put out by the Obama administration acknowledged the increased risk trans prisoners are at and put in place regulations to deal with the problem. Enforcing isolation for all trans prisoners against their will is not a recommended practice for reducing violence.

Update: The original posting did not include mention that both women are a part of a trans self-defense prison organization, Gender Anarky. It has been suggested that their affiliation with this political party may be part of the reason for this mistreatment. This hunger strike is both about the immediate issue of discriminatory treatment and to protest prisons in general. For more information about Gender Anarky you can visit their webpage.

http://www.bilerico.com/2012/09/trans_women_in_san_diego_prison_stage_hunger_strik_1.php

Kicking off a ride out to visit Cece Mcdonald in St. Cloud. When...

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 01:02:50 -0400

Kicking off a ride out to visit Cece Mcdonald in St. Cloud. When we got to the prison, we were met with SWAT teams at every entrance. Imagine that, prison officials are terrified of solidarity. Wonder why?

Check out freecece.wordpress.com for more info.

Photo

Sat, 29 Sep 2012 12:51:00 -0400

Sending this pic our our girl. Michelle Alexander knew all about CeCe and was great about posing. Awesome.

The inscription says, "To CeCe McDonald Stay strong & keep speaking your truth!". - Michelle Alexander 9/27/12

mujerrabia: Black & brown unity.

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 02:28:33 -0400

mujerrabia:

Black & brown unity.

allfiercefemmes: Oh Janet Mock, she is so femme and so so...

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 02:27:59 -0400

allfiercefemmes:

Oh Janet Mock, she is so femme and so so fierce! Found this great picture of her riding a bike looking so happy, and doing it in a mini dress! Oh my land, that is definitely something I couldn’t pull off. Not only is she gorgeous but her brain is just as attractive. Go to her webpage to learn all about her! http://janetmock.com/

allfiercefemmes: #freecece

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 02:26:44 -0400

allfiercefemmes:

#freecece

allfiercefemmes: Our girl CeCe McDonald, still femme-ing it up...

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 03:20:47 -0400

allfiercefemmes:

Our girl CeCe McDonald, still femme-ing it up a male prison. To learn more about her story and how this Fiercest of Femmes fights for us all got to her website, the blog she’s writing from prison is also there.

http://supportcece.wordpress.com/

Leslie Feinberg re-charged for solidarity action for CeCe...

Sat, 01 Sep 2012 01:44:23 -0400

Leslie Feinberg re-charged for solidarity action for CeCe McDonald

See you all at court on Sept. 13th @8:30am to support Leslie Feinberg as hir continues to bring attention to CeCe and her case. FREE CECE!

https://www.facebook.com/notes/leslie-feinberg/leslie-feinberg-re-charged-for-solidarity-action-for-cece-mcdonald/10151141939389784

No Justice When Women Fight Back Friday, 31 August...

Sat, 01 Sep 2012 01:19:07 -0400

No Justice When Women Fight Back

Friday, 31 August 2012 00:00 By Victoria Law, Truthout | News Analysis

What do a nineteen-year-old lesbian from New Jersey, a 23-year-old trans woman in Minneapolis and a 31-year-old mother in Florida have in common? All three were attacked, all three fought back and all three were arrested. All three are currently in prison while their attackers remain free. Oh, yes, and all three are black women.

http://truth-out.org/news/item/11196-no-justice-when-women-fight-back

So wish we could play this for our girl. Thank you to B. Dolan...

Sat, 01 Sep 2012 01:14:12 -0400

So wish we could play this for our girl. Thank you to B. Dolan for creating this. Amazing that it’s on an album called the House of Bees, for our own Honee Bea…can’t wait for you to get out lady. FREE CECE!

Hello CeCe Supporters! The Call-In campaign for CeCe to get her...

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 18:47:00 -0400

Hello CeCe Supporters!

The Call-In campaign for CeCe to get her correct dosage of hormones was an incredible success! The prison’s health administration were so “inconvenienced”, they were compelled to clear the issue immediately.

CeCe is doing fine and looking fabulous. She is steadily devouring the books that everyone is sending - currently she is reading Angela Davis and is totally inspired.

She spoke a bit about the push from some supporters to launch large-scale campaigns to get Gov. Mark Dayton to pardon her, and/or to have her moved to a women’s facility. She talked about how these campaigns would not only not benefit her, but how they exceptionalize her in a way that she doesn’t want.

The pardoning process would not only be painful for her, but were she even to get considered, it wouldn’t be until after she served her sentence. She thinks about people incarcerated for much longer terms than she, and for incredibly minor offenses (mostly drug related). Even if the emotional hardship of the process was something she felt up for, and even if the slim chance of it working actually succeeded, the outcome of her getting a pardon while others sat in prison is antithetical to her values and the whole reason she is struggling against this racist system in the first place.

As for being transfered to a women’s facility, her thoughts are: Prison sucks. Period. CeCe is not safe in any prison, women’s or men’s. Prisons are not safe for anyone. Period. CeCe asserts (as do we) that incarcerated individuals should be able to decide for themselves where they would be safest within the system. For now, CeCe is fine being in a men’s facility. For supporters to push for her to be transferred from one hell to another only serves the purpose of misdirecting energy away from the real problems of incarceration in america, and the problem of the Prison Industrial Complex as a whole.

To sum it up: CeCe does not want supporters to launch long-term campaigns on her behalf that exceptionalize her situation.. Also importantly, these specific campaigns: a pardon from Gov. Dayton and getting transferred to a women’s facility, wouldn’t actually be beneficial to her at all. Short term campaigns such as call-ins to administration, and media blasts, are targeted efforts that let the DOC know that CeCe has widespread support, and it sends a message that we are watching them and will respond to prisoner’s needs - CeCe’s today, and other incarcerated transpeople tomorrow.

CeCe sends her love and gratitude to everyone who called-in on her behalf. She wishes that every wrongly incarcerated person had the same incredible support that she has, and prays for a world without bars, a world without cells.

Towards Justice,

CeCe McDonald Support Committee

Call in worked! Thank you so much supporters for ALL that you...

Thu, 12 Jul 2012 21:46:00 -0400

Call in worked! Thank you so much supporters for ALL that you did and continue to do for our girl. CeCe appreciates it so very much and is now getting better medical care because of ALL of you! Go community go!

Demand that Chrishaun CeCe McDonald be administered the 20...

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 12:03:28 -0400

Demand that Chrishaun CeCe McDonald be administered the 20 milligrams of hormones that she is prescribed and allowed by court order!

CeCe is doing well in St. Cloud, even though she is putting up with a lot of harassment from guards and administration.

It took three weeks for her to begin receiving her hormones, and we learned yesterday that they are only giving her 6 milligrams instead of the 20 milligrams she is prescribed. This is egregious and insulting.

CeCe is asking her supporters to call-in to St. Cloud Health Services Director Cheri Meyer, MN DOC Health Director Nanette Larson and St. Cloud Psychological Services Director Bruce Hedge. Please CALL ALL THREE!

Demand that Chrishaun CeCe McDonald be administered the 20 milligrams of hormones that she is prescribed and allowed by court order!

Cheri Meyer (St. Cloud Health Services Director): (320)240-3077

Nanette Larson (MN DOC Health Services Director): (651)361-7280

Bruce Hedge (St. Cloud Psychological Services Director): (320)240-3030

Call today, call tomorrow, and leave messages. Fill their voicemail boxes and let them know that we are watching and that CeCe is not alone!

Please be firm but courteous when you call. Remember that prison administrators have enormous control over CeCe’s treatment, and antagonizing them could be harmful to CeCe.

Thank you for yr support of CeCe.

FREE CECE