In this issue…
2nd Action at Gov. Lamont’s House: Sunday Speakout
#COVIDBehindBars Update: CT & NY
2nd Action at Gov. Lamont’s House: Sunday Speakout
Katal member Virginia Rodriguez and her daughters hold up signs honoring their incarcerated father, while participating in Sunday’s protest and speak out we organized in front of the governor’s mansion demanding the release of incarcerated people to save lives.
On Easter Sunday, we organized a second in-car protest and speak out at Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont’s house to demand he immediately release people incarcerated in jails and prisons amid the COVID-19 pandemic. A caravan of 35 cars turned out filled with families of incarcerated individuals and community groups, to share the words of people incarcerated in CT prisons and jails, and demand action to save lives.
After weeks of demanding action from Lamont, families of incarcerated individuals and community groups were finally scheduled to meet with Lamont Monday afternoon regarding the release of people incarcerated in CT prisons and jails. But an hour before the meeting, Governor Lamont cancelled — the second cancellation within days, this time without rescheduling, again leaving families in the dark. Read our full press release.
The cancellation of this meeting is frustrating enough, but the absolute failure to address COVID-19 in prisons and jails means people in jails and prisons remain in danger, and families have to go on knowing their loved ones are in harm’s way, ignored by the state’s Governor.
YOUR VOICE IS IMPORTANT!
Take action now to demand Gov. Lamont address the health and safety of incarcerated people in CT. Use this link to email and tweet Governor Ned Lamont, Connecticut Corrections, and the Judiciary Branch demanding they urgently release as many people as possible to stop the spread and impact of #COVID19.
Katal in the news:
- FOX 61 News: Protestors fear CT prisons are a COVID death sentence.
- NBC Connecticut: Protesters Fight For Incarcerated People to Be Released Because of Coronavirus
- Hartford Courant: COVID-19 death toll now 554 in Connecticut; state parks quickly reach capacity over the weekend
- CT News Junkie: State Reports First DOC Death From COVID-19; Advocates Demand Meeting
Organizing an action during COVID19 is new and different. If you’re organizing in-car or other out-of-the-house actions in your community, let us know, we’d love to learn about it.
#COVIDBehindBars Update: CT & NY
As COVID-19 spreads in Connecticut and New York State jails and prisons, it’s more important than ever that elected officials and the Governor act urgently to save the lives of their incarcerated constituents and mitigate the impact of the virus. Here’s the latest:
Connecticut | Confirmed DOC cases of COVID-19: 199
Coronavirus Concerns Persist in CT Prisons
New York City | Confirmed DOC cases of COVID-19: 334
51 additional people released from Rikers Island due to underlying health concern
New York State | Confirmed DOC cases of COVID-19: 165
NY not yet moving to release short-time, vulnerable incarcerated people
This is a hard, complicated time for so many. Please be safe out there and take care of each other. Keep practicing social distancing, wash your hands, and check in on your neighbors. If you want to get involved, learn more about our work, or just connect, please don’t hesitate to reach out – we’re online and on socials via @katalcenter.
