California State Capitol August 13, 2020

On August 13, 2020 we gathered in Sacramento at the Capitol as one. We laid roses on the steps for the incarcerated individuals who have lost their lives due to COVID19 and the California Department of Correction’s negligence. We also laid roses down for those who are still trapped in a system of injustice and mass incarceration, while CDCR has no plan of action for the continuing threat deadly COVID19 poses on the incarcerated population and lives of staff alike. 53 people have died within the walls of California facilities due to COVID19 and there will continue to be more until Secretary Ralph Diaz and Governor Newsom take action.

Protestors gather on the steps of the Capitol August 13, 2020

Many families have been hit hard by COVID19. We are still not receiving visits with our loved ones, and phone calls are few and far between. The Incarcerated Population has been on 23/24 hour lockdown for months because prisons are overcrowded and unable to safely provide social distancing while rehabilitating. This lockdown is punishment without due process, it constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.  There are still reports of corrections officers not wearing their masks inside the facilities and there is still a lack of hand sanitizer and disinfectant. Corcoran state prison has recently transferred over 40 inmates and as a result there is now a new outbreak of COVID19, over 140 new cases in the past few days. My husband Sean was tested COVID19 positive on June 4th and with this new outbreak we both fear him getting it again. We are demanding mass release now. We need video calls or social distance visits. End California Enhancements and LWOP. Release first offenders, including LWOPS. We will continue to rally and protest this injustice and we will not be silent.

KCRA3: Families of Inmates Protest COVID19 Cases Across CA Prisons

#GavinNewsom  #RalphDiaz  #DROPLWOP  #LetThemGo  #CareNotCages

Thank you to Initiate Justice, F.U.E.L, All of Us or None, and everyone who came to show support. We are all together in this, together we must inspire change.