In this issue…
Take Action Now To Save Lives: #FreeThemNow
#COVIDBehindBars Update
Take Action Now To Save Lives: #FreeThemNow
Take Action With Us Now
This week, Katal members and supporters have been taking action online, demanding elected officials in Connecticut and New York — including Governor Ned Lamont and Governor Andrew Cuomo — take meaningful and urgent action to release as many incarcerated people as possible to save lives amid the COVID-19 public health crisis.
- In Connecticut, incarcerated men who test positive for COVID-19 are transferred to Northern CI, a facility deemed torture by the United Nations Special Rapporteur. Coronavirus is a death sentence for our incarcerated community members, brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, friends. If you live in CT, TAKE ACTION NOW to demand Gov. Lamont address the health and safety of incarcerated people in the state. Use this link to email Governor Ned Lamont to demand the urgent release of as many people as possible to stop the spread and impact of #COVID19, and save lives.
- Across New York State, 75% of people in custody who have died since the COVID-19 pandemic began were either Black or Latinx. This is outrageous. NYS must decarcerate jails and prisons statewide to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and save lives. New Yorkers, TAKE ACTION NOW! Use this link to email Gov. Cuomo and state lawmakers to demand that he take meaningful and urgent action to release as many incarcerated people as possible to save lives.
- Don’t live in CT or NY? You can still take action with us! Help us spread the word by sharing our posts on Facebook, Twitter (CT & NY), and Instagram or forwarding this email to your friends!
We cannot leave people behind during this crisis. Join us in telling elected officials: the time to decarcerate is NOW.
#COVIDBehindBars Update: CT & NY
Family members of incarcerated women hold up signs while participating during an April 23rd protest and speak out we organized in front of York CI demanding the release of incarcerated women to save lives.
As COVID-19 spreads in jails and prisons in Connecticut and New York, it’s more important than ever that state governments act urgently to save the lives of their incarcerated constituents and mitigate the impact of the virus. Here’s the latest:
Connecticut | Reported DOC cases of COVID-19: 684
Osborn prison on lockdown after 105 asymptomatic inmates test positive for COVID-19 and
Prison inmates with coronavirus told to shower outside
New York City | Reported DOC cases of COVID-19: 361
NYC Jails Oversight Agency Warns Of Second COVID-19 Wave If Inmate Population Jumps
Back Pre-Virus Levels
New York State | Reported DOC cases of COVID-19: 471
Advocates: Don’t Ignore COVID’s Impact on New York Inmates
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.
For printing and distribution, Katal Weekly Update PDF version.
