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THREAD: Between now and the new year, we’ll be tweeting about #CuomosMerciless2020: A thread on @NYGovCuomo’s failure to stop the spread of COVID-19 behind bars and release incarcerated New Yorkers
On January 3, media exposed that @NYGovCuomo granted ZERO clemencies in 2019. After pressure from advocates, Cuomo only granted 11 clemencies at the start of the year: https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/politics/after-pressure-gov-cuomo-preparing-to-grant-clemency-to-several-convicted-criminals/2254092/
On January 14, we rallied in Albany with 1,000 people to advocate for the Elder Parole and Fair & Timely Parole bills to be passed in 2020. We received lots of legislative support and media coverage. However, @nygovcuomo never made parole reform a priority.
As covid-19 pandemic loomed, @NyGovCuomo announced on March 9 that he would use prison labor to make hand sanitizer. In response, we rallied to expose the cruelty of using prison/slave labor to produce hand sanitizer that those making it couldn't even use: https://www.wivb.com/news/advocates-oppose-inmate-made-hand-sanitizer-program/
Despite our efforts, @NYGovCuomo moved forward with the plan to use prison labor to make hand sanitizer as well as other pandemic related jobs: https://theappeal.org/prison-labor-is-on-the-frontlines-of-the-covid-19-pandemic
As the country shut down and moved remote in response to Covid-19, we launched the #CuomoLetThemGo campaign on Twitter to demand @NYGovCuomo release and protect incarcerated New Yorkers.
We also partnered with California partners @CURBprisons for the #ClemencyCoast2Coast campaign. Despite thousands of New Yorkers and people across the country tweeting photos of themselves demanding that Cuomo let people go, @NYGovCuomo granted zero clemencies in Spring 2020.
On March 30, we learned the sad news that Juan Mosquero was the first incarcerated New Yorker to die of Covid-19 in the New York State prison system. We rallied outside Sing Sing to mourn his death. https://www.google.com/amp/s/champ.gothamist.com/champ/gothamist/news/sing-sing-prison-inmate-coronavirus-dies
#CuomosMerciless2020: On April 1, Cuomo partnered with NYS lawmakers to pass the only major incarceration “reform” in 2020: bail reform roll backs. The roll backs mean that hundreds & thousands more incarcerated NYers have been detained in jail pre-trial during a deadly pandemic
In response to the first Covid-related death, we launched the http://cuomoletthemgo.com website as a space to virtually mourn those we have lost and demand @NYGovCuomo take action and release vulnerable incarcerated New Yorkers.
For rest of April, we rallied outside a correctional facility every week: April 14 outside Queensboro; April 21 outside Bedford Hills, Otisville, & @NYGovCuomo’s mansion; April 23 Leonard Carter (who died of Covid) vigil outside Queensboro; & April 24 outside Nassau County Jail
In the beginning of May, we gathered together outside of Fishkill Correctional Facility for a two-day graveside sit and rally. We mourned those we have lost not only to Covid-19 but due to @NYGovCuomo's history of inaction and racist prison system.
We continued to rally outside correctional facilities & legislatives offices across NY. On May 15, we rallied outside Bedford Hills Correctional, on May 17 outside Edgecombe Correctional, on May 21 outside Queensboro Correctional & outside offices of @CarlHeastie @AndreaSCousins
We also closed out the month by rallying outside of @NYGovCuomo's NYC office with healthcare workers who support #ClemencyNow and the release of incarcerated people as the only effective public health response to the pandemic.
Every rally was streamed on Zoom or live tweeted to maintain safety for members who couldn't join in-person rallies. We hosted regular virtual press conferences, advocacy days, and social media actions throughout the month. But @NYGovCuomo granted zero clemencies in May.
