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Dear John,
Jails are already death traps and when you introduce a deadly virus, you get a recipe for disaster, and due to already prevalent racism and sexism, Black women are getting hit the hardest. For the thousands of Black women locked in cages right now, the virus could take their lives before they’re ever released. But we have the power to change that!
Many of the Black mothers and caregivers who languish behind bars are incarcerated simply because they cannot afford to post money bail. For one, no one should be locked in a cage for being poor. And two, no mother or caregiver should have to meet their fate alone behind the bars of a jail cell.
John, every year right before Mother’s Day, we use our collective resources to free Black mamas and caregivers from cages and reunite them with their families and communities. We need to raise money to bail out as many Black mothers as possible from cages so they can be reunited with their babies and loved ones. But we are in uncertain times, and more than ever before, our Black mamas need to be connected with their loved ones, and safe in their own homes.
Our babies need their mamas. Cousins loved ones, and all of our communities need them as well. We can’t let them perish in jails due to old, racist systems like money bail. Join our 4th Annual Black Mama’s Day Bailout to get our people free.
Coronavirus is spreading like wildfire in jails. Eight out of ten of the largest COVID-19 outbreaks have been in a jail or a prison.1 And due to the undercounting of incarcerated people, 100,000 more people will die than previously expected.2
National Black Mama’s Bail Out Day3 is a coordinated effort by community organizations, advocates, and families to reunite Black mothers with their families. Every donation will go to ensuring we can bail out as many Black mamas and caregivers from cages as possible while offering safe housing options, a weeks' worth of groceries, and holistic supportive services to every person we help free.
When we reunite Black mothers and caregivers with their families, all of our communities thrive. For the past three years, the bailed-out Black mothers have gone on to complete fellowships and have become organizers in their own communities to advocate for prison reform. This is what’s possible when we unite to make our communities and families whole again. When you chip in, you’re part of the fight to keep more families connected despite racist structures in place that seek to break Black familial bonds.
Every day is a day to honor Black mothers and caregivers, and especially those who need to be reunited with their loved ones.
Your support is vital. Contribute $25 today to bring a Black mother or caregiver home.
Until justice is real,
--Scott, Rashad, Arisha, Clarise, Erika, Malachi, Marybeth, Madison, Leonard, and the rest of the Color Of Change team
References:
1. "8 of The Top 10 Biggest U.S. Coronavirus Hotspots Are Prisons and Jails". Reason. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/246394?t=13&akid=42358%2E4731121%2EpDk-U5
2. New Model Shows COVID-19 Death Toll is 100,000 Higher Than Current Projections. ACLU. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/244677?t=15&akid=42358%2E4731121%2EpDk-U5
3. The National Bail Out collective is a Black-led and Black-centered collective of abolitionist organizers, lawyers, and activists building a community-based movement to support our folks and end mass incarceration. Learn more, join their mailing list, and get involved at http://act.colorofchange.org/go/122870?t=17&akid=42358%2E4731121%2EpDk-U5
Color Of Change is building a movement to elevate the voices of Black folks and our allies, and win real social and political change. Help keep our movement strong.
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