It would be naive and dangerous to ignore the criminally crowded conditions under which all of our prisoners live in such unprecedented times. Civil nations around the world have released at least, the low risk prisoners. Some have had the moral righteousness to release them all, understanding that even capital punishment is regulated with a certain degree of commiseration, compared to the brutal wrath with which this Coronavirus takes lives.

We can trace the history of incarceration in the New Afrikan Black nation back to the 13th Amendment which states: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” (while the black codes were already in place awaiting the re-enslavement through Chain Gangs).

However, the "due conviction" cited above, of millions of inmates across the United States is that of facing scores of death sentences due to this Covid-19 pandemic. Many are incarcerated simply for lack of bail money, misdemeanors, sheer poverty and mental health issues. Others are wrongly convicted, awaiting trials and most, disproportionately targeted for the mere color of their skin. Inmates are not even given masks, cleaning supplies or soap and are served poor meals with bare hands.

The fourteenth amendment, in turn, forced us to be paper citizens without even the dignity and respect of asking for our consent. According to international law, upon "emancipation", our People should have been offered to choose from Repatriation, Integration - with full fledged egalitarian citizenship or Independence, which was the initial reneged upon offer of 40 acres and a mule. This is the historical backdrop of the racist system that deliberately incarcerates and maintains Black New Afrikan communities in ongoing poverty and oppression.

Understanding how we got here, we also know that there can be no delayed response during this period of global alarm. New Afrikans (Black People) suffer a double punishment; One of disparities in incarceration rates due to historical institutional racism. The other is a much higher rate of chronic illness and death from Covid-19. The latter is a legacy of generations of unequal access to jobs, education and healthcare. One is hard pressed to see inaction as anything but just another chapter in the long historical targeted attempted genocide of our people.

We demand the immediate release of all low risk, juvenile, immuno-compromised and Elder prisoners. Furthermore and at heart are our highly esteemed Political Prisoners: Imam Jamil Al-Amin, Mumia Abu-Jamal, Mutulu Shakur, Sundiata Acoli, Jalil Muntaquim, and Russell Maroon Shoates - just to name a few. According to many national and international NGOs, these Freedom Fighters were framed and captured simply for doing great and influential good in our communities, all of whom are Elders, suffer from decades of mistreatment and poor health conditions behind the walls. They already suffer as is from poorly treated cancers, diabetes and other chronic illnesses and would not be a threat, but a great asset to our communities.

Attorney General William Barr sent a memo with an order that non-violent inmates be released to home confinement. Once again, the Marshall Project has strongly criticized his plan as biased toward white people.

White supremacy never sleeps. With 2.3 million people held captive in this nation, New Afrikans being disproportionately locked up with trans-generational chronic health conditions, it is up to us to speak out. To sign this petition and share it wide and far. To let the world know that we ARE vigilant and demand the release of ALL at risk New Afrikan Prisoners of this War against Black People.

People's Center Council

PG-RNA