Two Deaths at Rikers this Week
On Saturday, two people incarcerated at Rikers – Benjamin Kelly, 37 years old, and James Maldanado, 56 years old– died within an hour of each other. We send our deepest condolences to their families and loved ones. These are the sixth and seventh people to die at Rikers this year, and at least 40 people have died since Eric Adams became mayor in 2022. Both were found to be in medical distress and passed away before they received treatment.
In response to these deaths, we put out this statement from our member Shureen Harris:
“I have loved ones near to my heart that have been detained at Rikers and have had to endure horrific conditions. Currently, my brother-in-law is incarcerated at Marcy Correctional Facility. I can tell you with no hesitation that all of the jails and prisons in New York State are failing to keep our incarcerated loved ones safe. Our people are dying while under the custody of the Department of Corrections from medical neglect, physical abuse, and unsafe conditions. It is absolutely heartbreaking that two people died at Rikers yesterday. This marks at least 40 deaths at Rikers under the Adams administration. I send my deepest condolences to their family. It’s just sad that this continues to happen. Even though it may not be your blood family, it is still like a family member and their death impacts all of us. It hurts that this is not a good world that cares about the well-being of all people, including those who are incarcerated. For the sake of incarcerated people and their families, Governor Hochul must swiftly sign into law the omnibus bill S.8415 (Salazar) / A.8871 (Dilan), which consists of ten correctional oversight and accountability bills. Section H of the omnibus bill includes legislation S.856 (Salazar)/ A.2315 (Gallagher), which overhauls the State Commission of Correction (SCOC), the watchdog agency with investigative and oversight powers over every jail and prison in the state. They have the power to shut down facilities like Rikers Island that are out of compliance with maintaining ‘safe, stable, and humane’ conditions. Governor Hochul must sign the bill NOW to protect incarcerated people and save lives.”
Days later, on Wednesday, news broke that Ernest Oliver, a 22-year-old currently incarcerated at Rikers, has been left permanently sterilized due to medical neglect. While facing a medical emergency that required immediate attention, Mr. Oliver was not taken to the hospital for five days. This is inhumane, and highlights how the conditions at Rikers and the mismanagement of the Department of Corrections have worsened under Mayor Adams. Rikers must be shut down! Lives are at stake.
If you’re interested in joining the fight to Shut Down Rikers and hold Mayor Adams accountable, please contact Melanie at melanie@katalcenter.org.
Calling on Gov. Hochul to Sign Bill Overhauling the State Commission of Correction
At the end of this years legislative session, the New York State Senate and Assembly passed an omnibus bill, S.8415 (Salazar)/A.8871 (Dilan), which consists of ten prison oversight and accountability bills. Section H of the omnibus bill includes the legislation we’ve been working on to overhaul the State Commission of Correction (SCOC), the watchdog agency with investigative and oversight powers over every jail and prison in the state. See this press release for more details.
On Wednesday, the SCOC had their June monthly meeting. The public portion of the meeting lasted less than 10 minutes, and the only thing they discussed was approving a variance around scanning the mail incarcerated people receive from their loved ones. There was no mention of the various crises unfolding in correctional facilities across New York, including the life-threatening conditions in New York State prisons during this heat wave and the two deaths at Rikers this weekend. This is why we need Gov. Hochul to immediately sign the corrections accountability omnibus bill into law, which will overhaul the SCOC.
If you would like to join our organizing efforts calling on Gov. Hochul to sign the SCOC bill into law, please contact Yonah@katalcenter.org.
Weekly Pro-Democracy Phone Zaps
Join us on Wednesday, July 2nd, for our weekly Pro-Democracy Phone Zaps! Every Wednesday from 12-12:45pm (EST), we’re gathering on Zoom to call our elected officials.
Over the weekend, Trump announced airstrikes against Iran, entering the US into an illegal and unconstitutional war against Iran without Congressional authorization. This senseless warmongering is dangerous and deadly for the innocent people of Iran and all Americans. And this week, the U.S. Senate may start voting on the reconciliation budget bill that includes harmful cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and other essential services keeping Americans alive.
People across the country are continuing to stand up and fight against the rising authoritarianism, the detrimental cuts, and to reject the war with Iran!
On Wednesday, we’ll continue this fight by calling our congressional representatives in D.C. to demand they take action to protect our communities. If you’ve been looking for a starting point to take action, this is a great place to jump in!
Join us for our next Pro-Democracy Phone Zap on Wednesday, July 2nd. Register here!
If you have any questions, please reach out to Yonah at Yonah@katalcenter.org. We hope to see you there!
Inspiring Resistance This Week
–On Wednesday, a group of people in wheelchairs held a civil disobedience in the Russell Senate Office building in DC to tell Congress not to cut their Medicaid, which is essential to keep them alive. They were all arrested and zip-tied. See the video here.
-In Waltham, Massachusetts, an organic network made up of hundreds of volunteers have formed to protect their neighbors from ICE. They have a rapid response plan and they are able to mobilize within minutes when they get word about ICE entering a neighborhood. See a story about the network in Mother Jones. For more examples of resistance, check out Choose Democracy’s Resist List!
For more examples of resistance, check out Choose Democracy’s Resist List!
Katal Quotes of the Week
These are some of the quotes we’re thinking about this week.
“It always seems impossible until it is done.” – Nelson Mandela
“I have always believed that my duty is not only to liberate myself from the oppressor, but also to liberate my oppressors from their hatred and fear.” – Mahmoud Khalil
“Freedom has never been free” — Medgar Evers
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Katal works to develop intergenerational leadership and organizing capacity to build community-based power and win systemic change for equity, health, and justice.
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Email: info@katalcenter.org
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