TAKE ACTION
Our legal systems are cruel, inhumane, and dangerous. Still, we believe in the possibility of a new era in justice. But it takes more than outrage. It takes action.
ANTHONY SWAIN
By Hilary Bettis | Performed by Jelani Alladin
TAKE ACTION: A judge determined that Anthony Swain was eligible for release, but set his bond at an amount that no one but the very wealthiest would be able to afford. As a result, Anthony has suffered in jail for four years, waiting for a trial that never comes.
This week, he was diagnosed with COVID19. He is a paraplegic who has a rare disease that affects his respiratory system, and his continued incarceration could cost him his life.
He needs your help to come home. Donate here and sign this petition.
IMANI MFALME
By NSangou Njikam | Performed by Aja Naomi King
TAKE ACTION: The National Participatory Defense Network holds meetings in their cities to support individuals facing charges in the system and their families, and organizes campaigns to transform the criminal justice system.
We also build together to learn from each other, share common strategies, and develop a shared vision for our communities.
Go to hubs to locate a hub in your area and demand immediate release for those in Knox County Jail: Sign petition.
SHEDRICK BLACKWELL
By Jordan E. Cooper | Performed by Desean Terry
TAKE ACTION: Governor Andrew Cuomo continues to ignore pleas to grant clemency for the aging and vulnerable prison population in New York.
Sign this petition urging him to act here or visit Cuomo Let Them Go to learn how else to get involved.
KAYA GOINGS
By Roger Q Mason | Performed by L Morgan Lee
TAKE ACTION: There are over 200 gender non-conforming people housed within the Michigan Department of Corrections—none of them in accordance with their Gender Identity.
While the MDOC has an updated policy regarding the treatment of Gender Dysphoria, they are simply not equipped to house, protect, and provide treatment for this population in a safe and humane way.
Please call on Governor Whitmer to use her powers of clemency and release our vulnerable. Sign letter here.
MARY HEINEN MCPHERSON
By Jessica Blank | Performed by Deirdre O'Connell
TAKE ACTION: Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer stopped commutations when COVID began. Please call her office at 517-373-3400 and ask her to begin commuting sentences as soon as possible to stop the end of unnecessary deaths in the Michigan prison system.
You can also sign this petition.
YUSEF QUALLS
By Lemon Andersen | Performed by Ato Blankson-Wood
TAKE ACTION: Yusef Qualls was sentenced to Life Without Parole at 16—a sentence that was ruled unconstitutional by the supreme court eight years ago. Yusef, along with about 200 other Juvenile Lifers in Michigan, are still waiting for re-sentencing hearings.
Please demand that AG Dana Nessel and Governor Gretchen instruct prosecutors to re-sentence these men and women before these unconstitutional sentences become death sentences: Sign this letter.
JAMES ROYALL
By DeRay Mckesson | Performed by Peter Jay Fernandez
TAKE ACTION: New York Governor Andrew Cuomo continues to ignore pleas to grant clemency for the aging and vulnerable prison population in New York. Call his office 518-474-8390 and demand that he act.
Visit Cuomo Let Them Go to get call scripts and to learn how else to get involved.
MARTIN GARCIA
By Tony Meneses | Performed by Alex Hernandez
TAKE ACTION: The COVID-19 outbreak has highlighted a crisis that incarcerated people and their families have been living with for decades. As social distancing reminds us of the importance of communication, we must stand up for families who cannot afford it.
Sign this petition to help connect families with incarcerated loved ones by making communications free.
LULU BENSON’S SISTER
By Lynn Nottage | Performed by Rebecca Naomi Jones
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo continues to ignore pleas to grant clemency for the aging and vulnerable prison population in New York. Call his office 518-474-8390 and demand that he act.
Visit Cuomo Let Them Go to get call scripts and to learn how else to get involved.
DONNA ROBINSON
By Liza Jessie Peterson | Performed by Pascale Armand
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo continues to ignore pleas to grant clemency for the aging and vulnerable prison population in New York. Call his office 518-474-8390 and demand that he act.
Visit Cuomo Let Them Go to get call scripts and to learn how else to get involved.
LACIE DAUZAT
By Emily Mann | Performed by Madeline Brewer
Public defenders across Louisiana have gained the release of thousands. Yet there are still thousands locked up across the state. Defenders need to continue fighting. Instead, amidst this crisis of all times, public defender officers are being forced to lay off staff. Why? Louisiana, like many other states and localities, funds public defense predominately through a pay-to-play funding system, which relies on traffic tickets, court costs and fees, and bail fees paid by their own clients. The crisis has depleted those resources.
Now, more than ever, we need public defender offices that are well-resourced, independent, client-centered, community oriented, and outspoken to protect the health of those ensnared in the criminal legal system and to fight for a new era in criminal justice.
Please contact Louisiana Governor John Bell Edwards at (225) 342-0991, and demand he fully fund public defense in his state.
BLANCA VILLALOBOS
By Michael John Garcés | Performed by Maggie Bofill
The Adelanto Detention Center currently has 1,940 beds. There is an attempt being made to expand the detention center to hold 2,690 immigrants, despite warnings from public health officials to release incarcerated people and practice CDC distancing guidelines. We will be calling on the Mayor of Adelanto to vote against the GEO expansion.
Please consider emailing, tweeting or calling Mayor Gabriel Reyes of the City of Adelanto.
Call: (760)987-5763 | Tweet: @mayor_reyes | Email: GReyes@ci.adelanto.ca.us
JODY HILL
As read by Shakina Nayfack
TAKE ACTION: There are over 200 gender non-conforming people housed within the Michigan Department of Corrections—none of them in accordance with their Gender Identity. While the MDOC has an updated policy regarding the treatment of Gender Dysphoria, they are simply not equipped to house, protect, and provide treatment for this population in a safe and humane way.
Please call on Governor Whitmer to use her powers of clemency and release our vulnerable.
ELDER QUALLS
By Shaka Senghor | Performed by André De Shields
Elder Qualls’ son, Yusef, was sentenced to Life Without Parole at 16—a sentence that was ruled unconstitutional by the supreme court eight years ago. Yusef, along with about 200 other Juvenile Lifers in Michigan, are still waiting for re-sentencing hearings.
Please demand that AG Dana Nessel and Governor Gretchen instruct prosecutors to re-sentence these men and women before these unconstitutional sentences become death sentences: