No Kings Action on Saturday, March 28 & Art Build on Friday, March 20th
On Saturday, March 28th, we will join the No Kings protest, which is shaping up to be the largest nonviolent protest in American history. As President Trump escalates his attempts to consolidate power, it is on us, the people, to show that we will fight to protect one another. History teaches us that people-powered movements are how we end authoritarianism. Can you join us in the streets on Saturday, March 28th? Register here.
As families can’t afford healthcare, food, and housing, President Trump is spending billions to send ICE agents into our communities. To this we say: HELL NO. We’re standing up with our communities to reject Trump’s fear and violence. In America, we have NO KINGS, and power still belongs to the people. We hope you can join us on Saturday, March 28th.
Ahead of the No Kings march, we’re joining Hands Off NYC for a community art build on Friday, March 20th. We’ll be participating in two art build sessions from 3:00-5:30 pm and from 5:30-8 pm.
We’ll be in community together, making beautiful and powerful art for the upcoming No Kings march. No experience is needed. The address will be shared with those who register.
To join us for the art build on Friday, March 20th:
If you have any questions about the No Kings protest or the art build, please reach out to Melanie at melanie@katalcenter.org.
Governor Hochul Must Strengthen and Fully Fund Independent Oversight Agencies
With New York’s prisons still in a state of emergency following the brutal murders of Robert Brooks and Messiah Nantwi, Governor Hochul has proposed eliminating $3.127 million in funding for the Correctional Association of New York (CANY) in this year’s FY26-27 Executive Budget. This additional funding was used to hire staff and schedule multiple investigative visits to 6 of the more troubled state prisons. This type of intensive, repeated investigative visits is essential for fostering meaningful accountability.
The only other agency responsible for prison oversight is the SCOC, which is newly required to visit every jail and prison once a year, thanks to our organizing efforts. Yet the agency is not fully staffed with new investigators, and the SCOC has only an Acting Chairperson and one full-time Commissioner (with one vacant Commissioner position).
As New York’s prison system remained embattled with preventable deaths, violence, and overuse of isolation and lockdowns, it’s clear that greater oversight, not less, is needed to improve conditions and safe lives.
Here’s a statement we issued in response to the Governor’s proposed oversight cuts: “At a time when more oversight is needed, is it inconceivable and shortsighted to end the ability of CANY to visit and interact with incarcerated individuals and staff at state prisons. With last year’s expanded funding to oversight agencies and the enactment of the Prison Oversight Omnibus bill, Governor Hochul has already acknowledged the dire need for greater oversight. It would be a travesty of justice if she did not effectively implement these reforms and make them permanent.
To fund the necessary oversight in state prisons, we urge the Governor to restore the $3.127 million for CANY. The Governor must also effectively implement reforms to overhaul the SCOC by appointing reform-oriented commissioners who will work aggressively to meet the SCOC’s mandate.”
If you would like to get involved in our organizing efforts to implement the SCOC reforms, please contact Yonah at yonah@katalcenter.or.
Recap March Statewide Criminal Justice Reform Call
Yesterday, we held our March Statewide Criminal Justice Reform. We had nearly 100 people join the call, and the energy was great. We spent a large portion of the call discussing the state budget and the current state of negotiations. We also heard from a range of organizers and advocates working to End Qualified Immunity, increase prison oversight, stop immigrant detention facilities from operating in NY, and protect incarcerated women.
The next Statewide Criminal Justice Reform Call is on Thursday, April 9th, from 12-1. Please register for the next Statewide Call on Thursday, April 9th from 12-1pm!
If you have any questions about the statewide call or would like to be a presenter, please contact Yonah at Yonah@katalcenter.org.
Inspiring Resistance This Week
– Stand Up for Science protests spread to more than 50 cities. Speakers at the Stand Up for Science rally in Washington, D.C., criticized the politicization of science and cuts to research that serve the public. Read more about it here.
-For International Women’s Day, people took action across the country to demand: End the Wars, Free the Files, and Abolish ICE. See more details here.
For more examples of resistance, check out Choose Democracy’s Resist List!
Quotes of the Week
“I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.” – Angela Davis
“A democracy cannot thrive where power remains unchecked and justice is reserved for a select few. Ignoring these cries and failing to respond to this movement is simply not an option — for peace cannot exist where justice is not served.” — John Lewis
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Email: info@katalcenter.org
Phone: 646.875.8822.