#SayTheirNames Funeral Procession & Call to Action
#SayTheirNames Funeral Procession & Call to Action
Gov. Murphy signed Executive Order No. 124 on April 10th, 2020, making more than 1,000 people in New Jersey’s prison system eligible for immediate release during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, fewer than 100 people have been released and 42 people have died since the pandemic began. Many who remain incarcerated are there for drug offenses, elderly, sickly, and due for release within a year. Unable to protect themselves with even the simplest of measures, like sanitation, social distance and health care, our overcrowded prisons are rotting with fear and sickness, making a prison stay akin to a death sentence. We demand immediate release and improved conditions. #DecarcerateCOVID19 or #SayTheirNames
WHAT: The #SayTheirNames Funeral Procession aims to pay respects to those who have needlessly passed away from COVID-19 due to NJ government inaction. The event aims to spread awareness and demand government action to immediately address this humanitarian crisis.
WHERE: Trenton War Memorial Building at 1 Memorial Dr, Trenton, NJ 08608
WHEN: Thursday, May 28, 2020 from 12 – 1 p.m. (11am-1pm including staging time in Lot 5B)
WHO: Spoken words by:
Reverend Charles Boyer of Salvation & Social Justice, Faith Leader
Quadnesha Seph, mother whose 18 yr old son is COVID sick behind bars
Trena Parks, sister whose brother died of COVID behind bars
Photo/ Interview Opportunities: A dramatic funeral procession of over 100 cars, each wearing the name of someone who has passed or is still fighting for their life in the NJ Prison system, circling the Trenton War Memorial. Faith leaders will be posted around the block in this safe, COVID conscious event. Spoken words by faith leaders and family- all available for interview by media. There will also be a performance interview with a life size “Governor Murphy”.
HOST: The event is organized by the NJ-CAIC Coalition, Salvation and Social Justice and the Latino Action Network
NJ-CAIC is a coalition of survivors and advocates committed to educating, legislating, and organizing to call for an end to all forms of prolonged or unnecessary prisoner isolation. We urge all stakeholders to join this movement for humane and restorative correctional practices.
Salvation and Social Justice seeks to liberate public policy theologically by building Black faith-rooted communication strategies, advocacy, and public education campaigns, to lift up poor, underserved, and traditionally oppressed communities with a particular focus on racial justice through abolition, restoration, transformation, and coalition.
LAN is a broad, statewide coalition of Latino organizations dedicated to political empowerment, the promotion of civil rights, and the elimination of disparities in the areas of education, criminal justice, health, housing and employment. LAN was founded in 2009.
https://bit.ly/SayTheirNamesRally
Salvation & Social Justice Facebook
Latino Action Network Facebook
