Katal at 6th Annual Galaxy Leader Fellowship Gathering
Visit to Casa Pueblo, a nationally recognized community-led organization advancing environmental justice, renewable energy, and local self-determination, 7.22.2026
Last week, our organizing director Melanie and our advocacy director Yonah attended the 6th Annual Galaxy Leader Fellowship Gathering in Puerto Rico. The theme of the gathering was love, and they connected with and learned from people in Puerto Rico who have organized, resisted, cared for one another, and fought for dignity in the face of tremendous challenges.
The workshops were led by local organizers and movement leaders from Puerto Rico and across the country. One of the highlights was hearing from three ex-political prisoners who were incarcerated for their fight for independence.
We’re grateful to Aliyah Salim, Alex Duran, and the entire Galaxy team for convening such a powerful gathering.
Our Advocacy Director Yonah presenting Donna Hylton with a Legacy Award for Work and Commitment to the Movement, 7.20.2026
Another Death in DOC Custody
Over the weekend, news broke that yet another person has died in the custody of the NYC Department of Correction (DOC). Julian Pagan, 29, died in custody in the Bronx. Mr. Pagan is at least the fifth person to die in DOC custody since Zohran Mamdani became mayor in 2026.
Here is the statement we put out in response to the death of Mr. Pagan:
“First, we send our deepest condolences to the family of Julian Pagan — no family should have to go through this.
We’re extremely concerned about the dangerous conditions within the NYC Department of Correction. Conditions at Rikers in particular are so horrific that last year, a federal judge ordered a ‘remediation manager’ to take over parts of jail operations and oversight. This move is among the most dramatic a court can take, and indicates the severity of the problem at Rikers. It also underscores the abject failure of City government to address the crisis and save lives.
It also highlights the failures of the state government. New York State has an entire agency dedicated to oversight of jails and prisons in the state, to ensure they are “safe, stable, and humane.” That agency, the State Commission on Correction, has failed miserably to meet its mandate. Reforms were passed last year that should compel the agency to meet its mandate, but Governor Hochul continues to drag her feet to implement those reforms.
Now, months after Mayor Mamdani has appointed a reform-oriented commissioner, months after the appointment by the federal court of a remediation manager, and months after the reforms to the SCOC were passed, yet another person has died in DOC custody. What are these officials doing? Whatever it is, it’s not enough. Katal members, many of whom have served time at Rikers or had loved ones detained there, are clear: the city government, state government, and the federal court must take immediate, robust action to meet the legal mandate to shut down Rikers, and until it shuts down, to improve conditions and save lives. Anything less is unacceptable.”
If you would like to join our Shut Rikers campaign, please contact Melanie at melanie@katalcenter.org.
Shut Rikers Member Meetings
Join us on Wednesday, August 19th at 6 pm in downtown Brooklyn for our Shut Rikers Meeting. We’re coming together with neighbors to collectively build community-based power to shut down the jail complex once and for all. Last night, we held our monthly Shut Rikers Meeting at our office in downtown Brooklyn. In these meetings, our members come together with their neighbors to build community-based power to shut down the jail complex. We spend time powermapping the Mamdani administration, discussing the receiver’s recent report, and more.
To attend our next Shut Rikers meeting on Wednesday, August 19th from 6:00 – 7:30 pm, register here.
If you have any questions, please contact Melanie at Melanie@katalcenter.org.
Our summer interns and organizer canvassing in downtown Brooklyn for our upcoming Shut Rikers Meeting, 7.29.2026
Quotes of the Week
“The people have to have the power – it belongs to the people.” — Fred Hampton
“Love manifests itself in different ways.
There’s the love for your mom, your family,
your friends. There’s the love for what you
do. If it doesn’t move you, it’s not love.”
– Bad Bunny
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Katal develops 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
Phone: 646.875.8822.