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April 25, 2016

Family of Man Killed by Corrections Officers Stages 5-Day Hunger Strike
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And family and friends of Samuel Harrell plan to conclude their five-day
hunger strike at a rally in Harlem today after marking the first
anniversary of Harrell's death. Harrell was an African-American man who
died after as many as 20 corrections officers kicked, punched and threw
him down a flight of stairs while he was incarcerated at the Fishkill
Correctional Facility in Beacon, New York. At a vigil near the prison,
his sister, Cerissa, spoke out about why she and others are on hunger
strike.

Cerissa Harrell: "The reason for the hunger strike is to give up-we're
willing to not eat, you know, to get something in return. And what we
want in return is justice. It's been a year. Nothing has happened. Does
it hurt? It hurts a lot. Do I think about it? Every day. Do I forget
about him? Never."

Samuel Harrell's supporters have demanded reforms including body cameras
for corrections officers. They say all the corrections officers involved
in Harrell's death remain on active duty.


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