CAR AND BIKE CARAVAN TARGETS JAILS AND DETENTION FACILITIES TO DEMAND CUOMO RELEASE ICE DETAINEES AND PRISONERS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 15th, 2020
Contact: Andy Ratto (678) 561–7248, info@closethecampsnyc.com
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New York, New York, May 22th, 2020 — A coalition of immigration and abolition activists surrounded Governor Andrew Cuomo’s New York City office Friday afternoon at 3pm, for the fifth week in a row, to demand the release of ICE detainees and imprisoned people. Their demands echo those of grassroots organizations across the state, also demanding the cancelation of rent, protective equipment for workers, and emergency funds for undocumented communities.
From Cuomo’s office, the bike and car caravan carried on their protest at the Varick Street detention facility and Manhattan Detention Complex. Cars displayed “Free Them All” signs and protestors banged on pots and pans to notify prisoners inside.
As Governor Cuomo continues to ignore those unable to social distance in detention, jail, or prison, those unable to work safely, and those forced to work while sick to feed their families and pay their rent, the known death toll from COVID-19 continues to fluctuate, with communities bracing for a second wave in coming months.
Immigrant justice activists assert that Governor Cuomo can use his emergency powers during this public health crisis to release ICE detainees within state facilities without notifying ICE, as well as release more imprisoned people from New York’s overcrowded jails and prisons. Activists point out that he has remained largely silent on the issue, releasing small handfuls of imprisoned people, nothing nearly sufficient to coincide with CDC social-distancing guidelines for flattening the curve.
In addition, Gov. Cuomo has publicly refused to provide emergency relief for the undocumented community that is suffering from COVID-19 and the economic shutdown. This forces undocumented persons to continue to work in unsafe conditions, in order to feed their families and pay their rent. Cuomo’s blatant disregard for those most vulnerable ensures a slow recovery for New York State, allowing more individuals to succumb to this highly contagious virus.
“Governor Cuomo, we are demanding that you do everything in your power to free all ICE, prison, and jail detainees in New York State. People in detention do not have access to adequate medical or sanitary facilities,” said Teresa Shen, an organizer with Cosecha NYC. “If you continue to do nothing, more blood will be on your hands. You must act before ICE detention centers, prisons, and jails become death camps in this COVID-19 pandemic. People are already dying.”
“It is imperative that the Governor do everything in his power to free our undocumented neighbors from detention, as well as reduce the state prison population. Prisoners, whether they are held by ICE or the Department of Corrections, do not have the ability to social distance. Some of the locations worst hit by the pandemic in the country are jails and immigration detention centers.” added Josh Bloom, an organizer with Close the Camps NYC.
“Do their lives matter less because of their immigration status or criminal record? They are human beings and deserve dignity and due process, not being abandoned to die in a cage. The Governor likes to talk about ‘New York tough’. Well, the real ‘New York tough’ is sticking up for one another,” said Bloom.
Protestors wore masks and maintained six feet distance from each other in accordance with CDC guidelines. Organizers provided caravan participants with additional safety guidelines and safety supplies before the protest to minimize COVID-19 risks.
To quote abolitionist scholar Ruth Wilson Gilmore, “where life is precious, life is precious.” For Gov. Cuomo, life is precious only for some, mainly the rich and white.
All photos free for media use. You may credit Close the Camps NYC.
Follow actions by Close the Camps NYC — and our allies nationwide — by using #FreeThemALL, #NoBusinessWithICE, #DignityNotDetention, #ShutDownICE, #AbolishICE and #CloseTheCampsNYC in social media.
About Close the Camps Close the Camps NYC is an action coalition of groups and organizers working to close concentration camps in the United States and abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to demilitarize immigration processes. Three other social and environmental justice groups sponsor Close the Camps NYC and its nonviolent direct action tactics: Cosecha; Extinction Rebellion; and Earth Strike NYC.
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#FreeThemAll #NoBusinessWithICE, #DignityNotDetention, #ShutDownICE, #AbolishICE, #CloseTheCampsNYC, and #CloseTheCamps on social media.
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