Right outside the fence of Corcoran State Prison August 6, 2020

Yesterday, August 6 2020, I had the privilege to stand with a group called ‘We Are Their Voices’ to protest in Corcoran, California at Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and Corcoran State Prison where my husband, Sean, is wrongfully imprisoned. We also protested at California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Headquarters and the State Capitol in Sacramento on July 16, 2020. We are protesting CDCR’s lack of proper response to COVID-19, causing massive COVID-19 outbreaks inside prisons, the 50+ deaths in state custody so far due to COVID-19, cruel and unusual punishment due to COVID-19, the shut down of visitation, as well as mass incarceration, California Enhancements and LWOP sentences. We are demanding the mass release of incarcerated individuals, a plan of action from CDCR and a response from Ralph Diaz and Governor Newsom.

Protestors outside Corcoran State Prison August 6, 2020

It was amazing to see this group of people who have all been affected by mass incarceration, hear their stories, and see them fight for justice. There were even children who attended to be the voice of their loved ones. We will continue to push and fight for justice because the system is corrupt and needs a major overhaul.

I was able to speak to a reporter about our protest and this article is the result. CDCR tries to lie and cover their tracks but it has been proven that the transfer of inmates in late May from CIM to Corcoran State Prison and San Quentin Prison was indeed the cause of the outbreak in June which caused over 800 cases of COVID19 in Corcoran and over 1,000 cases at San Quentin. It was called the worst prison health screw-up in state history and the director of CDCR’s medical department was fired immediately after an emergency hearing. No matter what kind of bullshit CDCR wants to attempt to use to cover up their corruption we will not allow it to silence us. We will keep fighting for justice.

Why are we fighting? Stories like this one about a man whos death from COVID19 inside San Quentin was completely preventable. To quote this author: “His incarceration gave the state legitimacy to deny him his humanity. As a society, we accept punishment and torture as the only exchange for breaking a law, not redemption. Inhumane treatment becomes acceptable–so as we enter incarceration, the human being gets extracted from the body.” This is why I continue to fight for my husband, as well as advocate for prison reform and to end mass incarceration.

Group of protestors and activists outside Corcoran State Prison August 6, 2020

Children advocate for their father and uncle at SATF

Ready for the car rally at Corcoran State Prison August 6, 2020

Protest at the Capitol July 16, 2020

Thank you to everyone who came out to stand up for their loved ones, who continue to fight, and to those of you who support our cause from afar. We love you and we appreciate your support. Keep fighting and don’t stop!