From the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature
We have BIG NEWS and we need BIG HELP! On September 26th - just 35 days
from today - the new head of California’s eight youth prisons may close the
most brutal facility: Chad. By acting now you can help ensure that Chad is
closed!
Subject: CALL TO ACTION: Help Us Close
Youth Prison In The Next 35 Days!
PLEASE
FORWARD ** PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY ** PLEASE FORWARD
Dear Friends,
We have BIG NEWS and we need BIG HELP! On September
26th - just 35 days from today - the new head of California’s
eight youth prisons may close the most brutal facility: Chad. By
acting now you can help ensure that Chad is closed!
WHAT HAPPENED: California’s abusive and costly youth
prison system just got a new director: Bernard Warner. During his
first few days, Chief Warner learned about just how bad things are
at Chad. Last year, two young people died in Chad. Chad
guards were caught on tape beating two other youth. Expert reports
revealed youth in solitary confinement for up to 23 hours a day.
This year, Chad’s high school lost it accreditation. The
superintendent was removed from his job for excessive force. And the
state Inspector General called Chad extremely dangerous and unsafe
for both youth and staff.
THINGS LOOK PROMISING: After just 12 days on the job –
Chief Warner ordered his staff to stop accepting new youth at the
"Chad" youth prison. That means no more youth will be sent into
Chad. This is a huge first step toward closing the prison down!
Chief Warner also told his staff they have 45 days - by September
26th - to report back to him with recommendations on the future use,
if any, of the prison. Families and youth have been desperately
urging decision makers to take this kind of action for years. Now is
our chance to make sure they close the Chad youth prison for
good! |
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WHAT YOU CAN DO
- Sign Our Letter:
Chief Warner needs to know that
people across the state support his decision to take action and
want to see the facility closed. Now is the time to show your
support for the young people in Chad and to urge for it to be
closed down. Click
here to read the letter, add your name, and forward it to your
friends!
- Call the Governor:
Governor Schwarzenegger needs to
hear from you. Call the Governor today to tell him to close
Chad. Tell him closing Chad is the only way to ensure that no
more young people will be exposed to outrageous levels of
violence, abuse, and neglect. Call 916-445-2841, then press
5 to express your opinion (you will be on hold for a while -
please be patient).
- Rally:
On September 5th, Labor Day, we will
be gathering in Stockton for "No More Lost Lives" – a mass
memorial to mark one year since the passing of Dyron Bewer in
Chad. Dyron was the fourth young person to die in California’s
youth prisons last year (the second one in Chad). We are joining
together to make sure these young lives are not lost in vain. "No
More Lost Lives" will be from 12 PM to 3 PM in Stockton. Check
our website for details and how to get involved. Please
wear all white.
- Honor:
On September 22nd, please join Books
Not Bars and Van Jones for, "Spirit of Freedom: Honoring the
Families of Incarcerated Children." This event will be from 7
to 9 PM at the First Congregational Church in Oakland. We will
honor the struggle and success of the families of young people
locked up in California's abusive and costly youth prisons. This
is a rare opportunity to hear from families and honor their
strength to fight for a new juvenile justice system. Bring your
family and friends. We hope to see you there!
- Donate:
Now is the time we really need your support,
we can’t win this campaign without donations to keep our work
going strong. Click
here to contribute today!
Many
thanks, Lenore Anderson Books Not
Bars
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The Ella Baker Center can't survive without the support of people like
you. Please take a moment to support us today: click
here to donate.
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