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John,

The coronavirus pandemic has revealed just how fragile and inequitable our
systems are, from our healthcare system to the economy, and even our sworn
elected leaders. Now more than ever, people are recognizing the critical
need for strong communities and staying in touch with their loved ones.

But unfortunately, not everyone has the ability to even pick up the phone
to call or text to check-in on their parents or grandparents during this
trying time. And for incarcerated people, the barriers to remaining
connected are even worse. Most prisons and jails have suspended in-person
visits, and are forcing families to pay exorbitant rates for phone and
video calls to ensure their incarcerated loved ones are safe.

Prison telecom corporations charge families as much as $25 for a 15-minute
phone call. That’s out of reach for many families under normal
circumstances, but nearly impossible during today’s public health crisis,
especially for Black families who’ve been particularly hit hard. Black
people are disproportionately affected by the mass layoffs and because of
systemic health inequities, are at a higher risk of contracting and dying
from the virus. Our communities should not have the added stress of trying
to make ends meet to afford to connect with a loved one behind bars. 

[ [link removed] ]Demand an end to price gouging of incarcerated families. Sign the
petition calling on your state and federal legislators to make ALL jail
and prison calls free of charge.

The $1.2 billion prison telecom industry exploits vulnerable populations
who are simply trying to connect with their loved ones. At a time when
families need it the most, corporations like Securus, have done little if
anything to keep families connected. And our elected leaders are failing
to step in. In some jails and prisons, they have granted access to just
one or two free phone calls per week. But this is nowhere near enough. 

COVID-19 is deadly and is changing by the minute and for incarcerated
people, many who are immuno-compromised and high risk, a missed call can
mean that they’ll never speak to their loved ones again.

[ [link removed] ]We need your help to demand that our elected officials make all prison
and jail communication free now and forever.

Families and children of incarcerated people have taken to social media
over the past few days to demand access to free prison and jail
communication. And the public response has been overwhelmingly positive.
We need to keep up the pressure on our elected leaders to guarantee our
incarcerated loved ones remain connected.

Your action today can stop the cruel separation of families and instead
connect them. Everyone deserves to know their loved ones are safe.

Until justice is real,

Scott, Rashad, Arisha, Clarise, Erika, Malachi, Leonard, Marybeth,
Madison, and the rest of the Color Of Change team 


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[ [link removed] ]Color Of Change is building a movement to elevate the voices of Black
folks and our allies, and win real social and political change. [ [link removed] ]Help
keep our movement strong.

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