Dear John,  

Everyone deserves dignity and justice. But in the United States, 2.3 million people are locked away in prisons, jails, and immigration and juvenile detention centers, where they are subject to civil and human rights violations. With COVID-19, the dangers of imprisonment have multiplied exponentially, making every sentence a potential death sentence. 

That’s why, between International Human Rights Day (today, Dec. 10) and International Migrants Day (Dec. 18), people across the country are taking part in a week of action to #FreeThemAll—urging public officials to take immediate steps to protect incarcerated people from the virus, release as many as possible, and work toward a future without incarceration.

Here are three ways you can join AFSC, partners, and communities in the call to #FreeThemAll this week: 

1. Tell public officials: Protect people from COVID-19 in prisons, jails, and detention centers and release as many people as possible! Contact your governor, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) today! 

2. Join an online national event to learn and act:

• Tonight, Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT: Carving Out Rights From Inside the Prison Industrial Complex: Join us as we discuss human rights for people in prisons, jails, and detention centers. The event also celebrates the forthcoming book of the same name and will include a panel presentation, poetry, and musical performances. Register here. 
   
• Sunday, Dec. 13 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT: Room at the Table: An Interfaith Service in Solidarity with Caged and Incarcerated Loved Ones: Attend our interfaith service to hear testimonies from formerly and currently incarcerated and detained people as well as prayers from faith leaders calling to bring everyone home to the community table. Register here. 
   
• Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT: Free Them All Phone Zap: Join people across the country making phone calls to public officials urging them to release people, adopt protective measures, and more. We'll provide stories and updates on campaigns from around the U.S. and all the training you need to take action; just come ready with a phone and internet access. Register here. 
   
• Friday, Dec. 18 at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT: Love to Black Immigrants: Teach In + Card-writing. Join AFSC, the African Bureau for Immigration and Social Affairs, and other partners to send love and care to detained Black immigrants and learn how to counter injustices faced by Black immigrants and asylum seekers. Register today to receive cards to send. 

3. Learn more and find additional events hosted by AFSC in California, Colorado, and around the country. 

We hope you join us for our week of action to #FreeThemAll. And don’t forget to spread the word! 

In solidarity, 

Lewis Webb 
Healing Justice Program Director (NY)

Kristin Kumpf 
Director of Human Migration and Mobility