Two days ago, hundreds of people- including many of you- marched in the rain to demand the city DEFUND & close the jail by July 1st, & DEFEND Black Lives by reinvesting in our communities. Not 2 hours after we left the streets, the City of Atlanta pledged to make an amendment to move the funds out of ACDC and into community-based initiatives, and officially wind down operation of the jail!
But we have yet to see a date for the jail’s closure.
The action was an incredible display of power, led by Women on the Rise with speakers from so many corners of the justice community including GLAHR, SNaPCo, IMAN, Street Groomers, Women Watch Afrika, and so many more. Despite a downpour we took the streets with over 200 people who fiercely demanded DEFUND & close the jail by July 1st, & DEFEND Black Lives!
Wednesday taught us once again that when the people lead, the leaders follow. But reducing, or even zeroing out the Department of Corrections budget was not our only demand. Justice can’t wait- we need a date for the jail’s closure.
Can you help us take the next step to closing the city jail for good by joining us in a Twitter Storm this weekend? There’s a City Council meeting on Monday and we want them to know we need a date for the jail’s closure! Tweet Councilmembers and the Mayor's Office: Justice can't wait, we need a date! Close ACDC by July 1st! #CloseTheJailATL #CommunitiesOverCages
Council President: @FeliciaAMoore Post 1 At-Large: @Michael_J_Bond Post 2 At-Large: @WestmorelandATL Post 3 At-Large: @Andre4Atlanta District 1: Facebook Only: Carla Smith District 2: @AmirForATL District 3: @AtlDistrict3, @AntonioisMuted District 4: Facebook Only: Cleta Winslow District 5: @NMArchibong District 6: @JenniferIde1 District 7: Not on Social Media District 8: Not on Twitter, use Senior Policy Advisor & Community Affairs Director Office of Atlanta City Councilmember J.P. Matzigkeit, Jim Elgar: @jimelgar@jimelgar District 9: @Dustin4Atlanta District 10: @AndreaBooneNow District 11: @MarciOverstreet District 12: @joycesheperd City Council General: @atlcouncil Atlanta Mayor: @KeishaBottoms Not on Twitter? Comment on the Mayor’s Facebook or Instagram posts instead!