Hello friends!

The past few weeks have been really busy with Black and Pink. We hope that your summer is wrapping up well and you are enjoying corresponding with pen pals while we build our movement to abolish the prison industrial complex. Below, you will find a call to action as we try to hold the NYC Dept. of Corrections responsible for not having ANY plan of evacuation for the prisoners held at Rikers Island. Join our email list HERE.

CALL to ACTION:
According to Solitary Watch “News from a Nation in Lockdown, “We are not evacuating Rikers Island,” Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a news conference this afternoon. Bloomberg announced a host of extreme measures being taken by New York City in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Irene, including a shutdown of the public transit system and the unprecedented mandatory evacuation of some 250,000 people from low-lying areas. But in response to a reporter’s question, the mayor stated in no uncertain terms (and with more than a hint of annoyance) that one group of New Yorkers on vulnerable ground will be staying put.”

It is NOT OKAY for prisoners to be put at risk! The Bloomberg Administration must be held accountable for their lack of action and their irresponsible behavior when the lives of prisoners are, literally, in their hands.

PLEASE CONTACT THE NYC COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONS, Dr. Dora Schriro, AND DEMAND A PLAN BE CREATED IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY! WE CANNOT HAVE ANOTHER KATRINA!

Send a message to Dr. Schriro HERE.

PEN-PAL REMINDER:
One of the greatest ways you can get involved with Black and Pink is to get a pen-pal. It’s also important to be consistent with your pen-pal, writing regularly helps create trust and build strong long-term friendships. These friendships are essential to our work to create the world we want! You can write to your pen-pal on your favorite stationary (keep in mind no glitter, stickers, or glue) OR you can write to them using this online form!
We want to make it as easy as possible for you to write to your pen-pal and hope you take advantage of this resource! Happy writing!!!

DONATE:
Black and Pink operates on a budget that is created by YOU! Your donations and monthly contributions make it so that OVER 1,000 prisoners get access to our monthly newsletter. Your contributions allow us to communicate with Black and Pink artists. Your contributions help us reduce the harm LGBTQ prisoners are experiencing. Thank you! Make a donation or become a sustainer TODAY! Click here to make your donation.

NEWSLETTER:
Join us for our monthly newsletter stuffing and mailing this Thursday, September 1st at JP Licks on Centre St. in Jamaica Plain, MA from 8:30 – 11:30. Your hands can make it so prisoners get access to a newsletter that affirms them for who they are. Read the newsletter here.

With love and solidarity,

Black and Pink

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