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John,
As you may know, Color Of Change has been persistently pressuring members
of Congress to pass the Martha Wright Act. This legislation would give the
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) more authority to regulate how
much prisons and jails can charge incarcerated people and their families
for phone calls.
Right now, private prison telecom companies like Securus (owned by Aventiv
Technologies) and ViaPath Technologies (formerly GTL) make billions of
dollars preying on incarcerated people and their loved ones by charging
exorbitant rates for phone calls. In some states, people have to pay as
much as $1 per minute for every phone call, forcing many to have to decide
between speaking to their incarcerated loved ones or paying their bills.
No one should be forced to make that choice.
[ [link removed] ]Here’s where you come in, John. This week Congress returns
from their summer recess and we need them to hit the ground running. That
is why we are going to welcome them back by urging them to pass the Prison
Phone Justice Act. Can we count on you to call your representative today?
[ [link removed] ]CALL CONGRESS AND TELL THEM TO KEEP FAMILIES CONNECTED
While Congress was on break in August, our fight for phone justice did not
stop. We published an op-ed in Blavity^1 in support of the Martha Wright
Act, urging members of Congress to co-sponsor the bill. We also worked
with former Black Panther and current Illinois Congressman Bobby Rush,
(D-1st), to publish an op-ed in the Crime Report^2. Congressman Rush, who
has been a phone justice advocate for many years, detailed the importance
of allowing families to remain connected by ensuring incarcerated people
have access to phone calls at more affordable rates.
We’re ramping up our efforts now because incarcerated people and their
loved ones deserve to stay connected, period. The Martha Wright Act would
make that possible.
Color Of Change has continued to send target letters to key members of
Congress, but now we need your help. The pressure is building, and we are
closer than ever to passing this bill. Federal legislation will soon be a
reality, but we must keep fighting.
[ [link removed] ]Let’s make these calls to Congress today so that more incarcerated
people can speak with their family members in the future. Tell your House
member to co-sponsor the Martha Wright Act today!
[ [link removed] ]fight for phone justice
Until Justice Is Real,
Sakira Cook, Co-Interim Vice President
Color Of Change
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References
1. [ [link removed] ]The Harrowing Cost Of Staying In Touch With Family Members In
Prison. Blavity, 19 August 2022.
2. [ [link removed] ]Phone Injustice: Profiting from Families of the Incarcerated. The
Crime Report, 26 August 2022.
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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. Please
help keep our movement strong.
[ [link removed] ]Make a Donation
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