
33rd Death in DOC Custody Under Mayor Adams
Last Tuesday, news broke that yet another person died in the custody of the New York City Department of Correction (DOC). Anthony Jordan, 63, was seen by medical staff at Rikers the day before his death but was sent back to his housing unit. The cause of death has not been disclosed. As a former medical clinician at Rikers said, “His death could have been prevented.” This is truly unacceptable. We send our deepest condolences to Mr. Jordan’s loved ones. His death follows repeated reports of widespread sexual abuse, tens of thousands of missed medical appointments, and intolerably high levels of violence at Rikers. On August 8, The New York Times reported that the DOC missed taking people held there to more than 12,000 medical appointments in May alone. Without urgent action, more people will suffer and die on Rikers Island. That’s why we’re calling on the federal courts to immediately appoint an independent receiver to improve conditions and save lives.
Read Katal’s statement in response to Anthony Jordan’s death and the crisis at Rikers.
Last Week’s Community Conversation at the Brooklyn Heights Library
Katal Staff discussed our Shut Rikers campaign at the Brooklyn Heights Library on August 22.
Throughout the summer, we’ve held tabling events, info sessions, and community conversations at libraries across New York City. These public institutions play an essential role in our neighborhoods, and Mayor Adams is slashing their budgets while continuing to excessively fund the NYPD and the DOC.
Last Thursday we held a #ShutRikers Community Conversation at the Brooklyn Heights Library. Neighborhood residents engaged in thoughtful discussions about the issues impacting their communities and how they’d like to see their neighborhood improve. We spoke about the crisis on Rikers Island and how incarceration affects people in Brooklyn. We also talked about our campaign demands to CUT the jail population, SHUT down Rikers, and INVEST in true community safety: housing, health care, education, and jobs. We closed by discussing different ways that folks can take action to make changes in their communities.
If you would like us to hold a community conversation in your neighborhood, please contact Melanie, our organizing director, at melanie@katalcenter.org.
Wednesday, 9/4: Shut Rikers Phone Zap
Join us this Wednesday, September 4, from noon to 1 p.m. for our Shut Rikers Phone Zap via Zoom! You can RSVP here.
Since our last phone zap, Council Member Lincoln Restler signed on as a cosponsor of Resolution 183, which calls for a federal receiver to immediately appoint an independent receiver to take over at Rikers. We now have 21 cosponsors and are continuing to make a big push to get a majority of council members to sign on. Thank you to everyone who has participated and shown us what people’s power looks like!
Join us at noon this Wednesday, September 4!
We will be calling city council members to ask them to take action to help end the suffering and violence at Rikers. With at least 33 deaths among people in DOC custody since Adams took office, we urgently need an independent receiver to take control of Rikers and improve conditions there until it is shut down.
Any questions? Reach out to Ricky at ricky@katalcenter.org.
We’re Back: September NY Statewide Criminal Justice Reform Call
We’re back from our summer hiatus! Our next NY Statewide Criminal Justice Reform Call is on Thursday, September 12, at noon! If you want to learn more about which criminal justice bills are still on the governor’s desk, the upcoming 2025 legislative session, and the latest efforts to reform the criminal legal system in New York, please sign up. We’ll be joined by organizers, advocates, and community members working on every aspect of justice reform in the state.
Register to join us on Thursday, September 12, from noon to 1 p.m.
If you have any questions about the statewide call or would like to be a presenter, please contact Yonah at Yonah@katalcenter.org.
Katal Quotes of the Week
These are some of the quotes we’re thinking about this week.
“I think what motivates people is not great hate, but great love for other people.”
― Huey P. Newton
“You don’t fight racism with racism, the best way to fight racism is with solidarity.”
— Bobby Seale
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download the Katal Weekly Update PDF version.
Katal works to strengthen the people, policies, institutions, and movements that advance equity, health, and justice. Join us: web, Twitter, Facebook! Email: info@katalcenter.org Phone: 646.875.8822