🚨🚨BREAKING: In midst of Coronavirus & heightened concerns about the susceptibility of exposure in jails, NY Governor Cuomo is pledging to kill 2 months old bail reform to send tens of thousands *back* to jail. Worse, hes doing so w/ decreased ability for advocates to speak out.
The same Governor who announced, proudly, with no awareness of the inhumanity, that people incarcerated were making hand sanitizer for 16 cents an hour (slave labor) for those on the outside, but would not themselves be allowed to use it. Also: no access to free soap.
In January modest bail reform went into effect. Ended cash bail for misdemeanors & nonviolent felonies. Thousands released. Jobs. Housing. Families. Coming back to court. Major felonies are continuing to decline since pre-reform. Taxpayers saving a fortune. And now public health.
Police, prosecutors, GOP lawmakers, Bill de Blasio, NYPD Chief, & White supremacists, partnering w/ a willing sensationalist media lied, misled, & fearmongered over a handful of cases. Governor is caving. Not based on reason. Based on politics. Trading away Black lives for votes.
Just months after HE SIGNED THE LAW, he’s calling a complete capitulation to the worst instincts in society a “no brainer.” He’s calling mass jailing Black & Brown communities a “no brainer.” Ignoring decades of advocacy a “no brainer.” This is a crisis.
If Democratic lawmakers and Governor Cuomo turn their backs on communities devastated in favor of the same racist fear and red meat fed to the public for the last half century to create mass incarceration, it will be one of the biggest betrayals in history. Of reason. Of people.
If you’re as outraged as me, please call on @NYGovCuomo & @NYSenDems to have backbone. To stand up for a modest, but positive law. To defend people & communities long devastated. To invest in public health. Not jail. To reject fear. Email and call here: JusticeNotFear.org.
Exploration of Black communities. Exploitation of a public health crisis.
For votes.
For votes.
“It is the best way to keep healthy.” Is repealing bail reform and jailing thousands more people than before bail reform even took effect also “the best way to keep healthy,” Governor? What are you doing?
