PROTESTORS STORM GOV. CUOMO’S OFFICE BUILDING TO DEMAND RELEASE OF DETAINEES AND PRISONERS AFTER MAN DIED OF COVID-19 IN ICE CUSTODY THIS WEEK
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 14th, 2020
Contact: Andy Ratto (678) 561–7248, info@closethecampsnyc.com
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New York, New York, August 14th, 2020 — A coalition of immigration and abolition activists stormed into Governor Cuomo’s office building Friday afternoon to demand the release of ICE detainees and incarcerated people. Their demands echo those of grassroots organizations across the state, also demanding defunding of police, rent cancellation, emergency funds for excluded workers, and protective measures for all workers during COVID-19.
Protestors displayed “Free Them All” banners, chanted, and banged on drums as they took over the building’s lobby and gained access to elevators. A life-sized plastic guillotine model showed the protestors’ mounting discontent over the government’s inaction on the issues. Protestors acted in solidarity with the uprisings triggered by the police murder of George Floyd.
As the government 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 the state government can do more in 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.
“We are demanding that our state government do everything in its 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 the government continues to do nothing, more blood will be on their hands. ICE detention centers, prisons, and jails have become death camps in this pandemic.”
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 #FreeThemAll Fridays Coalition
Close the Camps NYC is an action coalition working to close concentration camps in the United States and demilitarize immigration processes by abolishing ICE.
Cosecha NYC is part of Movimiento Cosecha, an immigrant led movement fighting for dignity, respect, and permanent protection for all undocumented people.
Climate Justice Rebellion is fighting for free, accessible public housing, public transit, and a borderless world in order to combat the climate crisis and institute climate justice.
Abolition Action is an abolitionist collective creatively resisting carceral systems and mindsets through political education, mutual aid, and action.
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#FreeThemAll #DefundPolice #AbolishPolice #CancelRent #EssentialNotDisposable #NoBusinessWithICE, #DignityNotDetention, #ShutDownICE, #AbolishICE, #CloseTheCampsNYC, and #CloseTheCamps on social media.
Website: https://www.closethecampsnyc.com
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