People in jails and prisons have been subject to the worst this pandemic has to offer. It’s been made clear by the terrible conditions – that include forced labor as well as letting people die through negligence. However, even if you haven’t heard, people are fighting back.
A new report found that there have been over 100 rebellions in jails and prisons over COVID-19 conditions. Prisons and jails are much more likely to incubate the virus, leading to high rates of infection. People inside know that, and they’ve resisted authorities in important ways.
Hunger strikes, uprisings, and other collective acts of rebellion have been methods people inside prisons, jails, and detention centers have taken up. Ultimately, they’re pushing back against the idea they should be left to die just because they’re locked up.
Unfortunately, many people haven't made it out. Hundreds of thousands have contracted COVID-19 in these facilities and hundreds – so far – have died. Many of them were in jail without even being convicted of a crime! This can’t be allowed to continue.
Black liberation means fighting for Black people being killed, tortured, and abused by a white supremacist criminal justice system. There’s nothing just about letting people be neglected, ignored, and left to die during a pandemic!