CYA crisis in Chino facility! Black youth face death threats and families denied visits!

Below is a press release from the Riverside Racial Justice Coaltion. Further details regarding death threats against a young Black inmate to come. Please contact the coalition to get involved and help pressure CYA officials to make sure the youth are safe from attacks. The only thing the American system of justice seems to do with as much zeal as terrorizing Black and Brown people is "letting them" terrorize themselves. Whether it's Haiti, Hunter's Point, or CYA, we need to put an end to this ongoing war on youth of color.

Youth Authority Ignores Consequences of Racial Violence

On June 20, 2004, interracial violence between Black and Hispanic wards erupted during visiting hours at the Heman G. Stark Youth Correctional Facility in Chino.


The fighting erupted on Father’s Day, enveloping visiting family members, including women and children.


The fighting involved five black youths outnumbered by 23 Hispanics.  



The level of racial tensions between Blacks and Hispanics inside the facility has been escalating.  


Black wards, who comprise the racial minority at the Chino Facility, have complained of discriminatory treatment by guards, and their lack of safety.    


Worried family members have not been allowed to visit since the incident on Father’s Day. 


Family members have complained that “death threats” are being used against black wards by other Hispanic wards, and that these kind of dangerous interracial tensions are sanctioned and encouraged by the guards. 


Belittling the life threatening consequences of the interracial violence, spokeswoman for the Youth Authority Facility, Vicki Griffin, publicly stated to the Press, "There's always going to be racial tensions." 


Family members of the black wards are aware of discriminatory actions being used against the five black youths who were involved in the incident, and that their lives are at risk.  Specific Black youths have been targeted by the guards for possible retaliatory violence to be carried out by other Hispanic wards.

Family members plan to seek legal aid to investigate the California Youth Authority.     


Riverside Racial Justice Coalition is organizing around this issue.  For further information email rivracialjustice [at] yahoo.com