[New York News\# Close Rikers Campaign]
The City Council will vote on Thursday to approve the largest land use action in the history of New York City, which would implement a plan that would shrink the system from 12 jails to four borough-based facilities with improved conditions and permanently reduce the City’s capacity to detain anyone from 15,000 beds to 3,300 — the lowest jail bed count in over 100 years.
Photo: Facebook
The #CLOSErikers campaign will host a final campaign rally outside of City Hall tomorrow, October 17, 2019, ahead of the City Council’s vote to close the Rikers Island Jails Complex by 2026, shrink the city’s system from 12 jails to four borough-based facilities with improved conditions and forever limit the city’s capacity to detain anyone.
The rally will feature a story and healing circle led by #CLOSErikers and #BEYONDrosies campaign leaders, survivors of Rikers Island, local religious leaders, and other community advocates, followed by a march to City Hall.
The rally will run from 12:00 to 1:45 p.m. It starts at Brooklyn Bridge Plaza (northside of City Hall, next to 4-5-6 subway entrance) and will continue on to City Hall (in front of the main entrance).
Participants will include members from organizations like #CLOSErikers, JustLeadershipUSA, Exodus Transitional Community, Women’s Community Justice Association, Bronx Connect, Katal Center for Health, Equity and Justice, and the Fortune Society.
BACKGROUND:
The City Council will vote on Thursday to approve the largest land use action in the history of New York City, which would implement a plan that would shrink the system from 12 jails to four borough-based facilities with improved conditions and permanently reduce the City’s capacity to detain anyone from 15,000 beds to 3,300 — the lowest jail bed count in over 100 years.
Led by Survivors of Rikers Island, and directly impacted communities, in partnership with more than 160 organizations, the #CLOSErikers campaign fights to close the Rikers jail complex and the existing borough jails to shrink the system, decarcerate New York City and #buildCOMM
