The #coronavirus crisis is not over. As cases and hospitalizations continue to rise across the country, people in the criminal justice system are especially at risk. Incarcerated people can’t social distance in crowded, unhygienic facilities. fwd.us/criminal-justi…
America’s system of mass incarceration makes us all less safe, especially during a pandemic. People impacted by the criminal justice system are fighting to stay #FreeAndSafe.
The number of incarcerated people who tested positive continues to increase as the deadly virus spreads behind bars.
More than 68,000 incarcerated people have tested positive and over 500 have died from the #coronavirus.
See the faces and read the stories of people who have #COVID19 behind bars, have passed away, are still fighting to go home, and are navigating the criminal justice system in the community during this pandemic. #FreeAndSafefwd.us/criminal-justi… --->
Anthony always maintained his innocence, even when admitting guilt would have allowed him a chance to walk free in 2012. When he was first incarcerated, Anthony suffered from untreated mental health issues and became blind after self-harm incidents. baltimoresun.com/coronavirus/bs…
Anthony’s request for medical parole was repeatedly denied by the Parole Commission, even when “he was so physically incapacitated as to not present a danger to society.” Anthony died from #COVID19 after 40 years in prison.
Arland, Anthony’s younger sibling, described him as “a loving brother.” Anthony’s sister, Inez, recalled their last video chat when he was hospitalized and she told him, “Fight this virus so you can come home.”
Kentoree is quadriplegic and is currently behind bars. Given his medical condition, Kentoree’s sister, Kimyatta, is concerned about his vulnerability during the #COVID19 pandemic — she believes Kentoree is struggling to take care of himself. ky3.com/content/news/F…
Kimyatta said, "You got a lot of people who can still move around and they can help protect themselves, but he's not one of those lucky ones."
Kentoree’s family hopes he will receive compassionate release from prison. Kenotree should be #FreeAndSafe with his sister and family, who would all take care of him if he is released.
Both Anthony and James lived together while incarcerated — Anthony described the two of them as “a big odd couple to be best friends.” In March, they both contracted #COVID19. James passed away a month later. Anthony survived. chicagoreporter.com/forgotten-stat…
Anthony and other incarcerated individuals wrote about how the facility conditions such as the lack of PPE, poor healthcare, and inadequate cleaning supplies allowed the rapid spread of #COVID19.
Anthony, expressing the guilt he felt for unintentionally spreading #COVID19 to James, wrote, “How do you deal with it knowing that [James] didn’t have to die if these people had just done the bare minimum and moved him?” #FreeAndSafe
This tool aggregates stories of individuals impacted by the criminal justice system during #coronavirus. People should be #FreeAndSafe.
Dreamers, #TPS holders, and farmworkers have never stopped fighting for their futures — and that’s why TODAY, the House will vote on #HR6 and the #FarmWorkforceModernizationAct. Across the country, there is strong bipartisan support for a path to citizenship. #WeAreHome
New national polling from @CenterForwardUS released TODAY finds voters are eager for congressional action and there is broad bipartisan support for protection from deportation and a path to citizenship for Dreamers, #TPS holders and undocumented farmworkers w/ over 80% support.
.@coalition_dream, a group of +100 of the nation’s top businesses & trade assns, endorsed #HR6 and said continued inaction "will cause significant negative economic and social impact on businesses and hundreds of thousands of deserving young people across the country.” #WeAreHome
.@FWDus New York State Director of Criminal Justice Reform @rodnationn issued the following statement today after Governor Cuomo delivered his 2021 State of the State address: fwd.us/news/fwd-us-ur…
"Since December 1, more #COVID19 cases have swept through New York prisons than in the whole first nine months of the pandemic combined – and tragically, 10 more incarcerated people have died." — @rodnationn
"Public health experts and advocates have long predicted that the state’s failure to reduce our incarcerated population would cost lives and hurt families. Nearly ten months into the #COVID19 crisis, far too little has been done to keep incarcerated people safe." — @rodnationn
Happening now: Advocating joining CA Senator @AlexPadilla4CA and Rep. @JoaquinCastrotx, on a press call to call for undocumented immigrants who risk their lives as essential workers to be fast-tracked for citizenship. Follow this thread for updates. #WeAreHome
"We must find permanent protections for the 11 million undocumented immigrants living, working, and contributing to our country. We must keep essential workers safe and recognize their role in keeping us safe through the pandemic." — @AlexPadilla4CA#WeAreHome
"The Biden Administration and Congress must work together to guarantee that undocumented essential workers and their families are included in our nation's economic recovery. These people deliver for us — now, we should deliver for them." — @JoaquinCastrotx#WeAreHome
Despite facing their own uncertain futures, more than 5 million undocumented essential workers are combatting the pandemic & protecting all of our lives.
A path to citizenship is critical to America’s recovery and must be included in #COVID19 recovery efforts. #WeAreHome
Meet Esmeralda, an essential worker raising a three-year-old daughter. "The pathway to citizenship for me & others like me is the same pathway that will lead us all through America's recovery."
We must restore opportunity and dignity for all people living in the U.S. #WeAreHome
Jesus, a #DACA recipient & Houston paramedic, spent 6 days rescuing people from Hurricane Harvey and now, he is on the frontlines of the #COVID19 pandemic.
“Our families are working hard to keep this country moving forward during the pandemic." #WeAreHome#ForOurFamilies
In recent weeks, @FWDus state directors have called on the new Congress & President-elect Biden to create a pathway to citizenship for 11 million undocumented people, including over 5 million of whom are helping combat the #COVID19 pandemic. #WeAreHome#ForOurFamilies
Colorado State Director @MarisitaMo: "It’s time to turn the page on the cruelty of the Trump Administration. It’s time to deliver a permanent solution for undocumented immigrants and fair and humane immigration and refugee policies." #WeAreHome
FWD.us is releasing a new report, "Dismantling #DACA & Terminating #TPS: A Moral and Economic Disaster That Hurts All Americans" which highlights the devastating human economic & political consequences of Pres Trump's anti-immigrant agenda bit.ly/3j93DB7
The new report is the first in a four-part series, which will detail voters’ overwhelming rejection of these policies.
Broad public support for DACA recipients and TPS holders has been galvanized by the courageous advocacy of the people most severely impacted by these policies.
Numerous national polls have made clear that Americans of all backgrounds - including President Trump’s own supporters - are strongly supportive of immigrants and immigration, and even more so now than when he took office.