📣STATEMENT from the Campaign to #CloseRikers on the handshake agreement on #FY2027Budget www.campaigntocloserikers.org/statements-releases/7-1-26

Closing Rikers is not just about decarceration. It’s about repairing harm, restoring communities, and reimagining our city’s future resilience. Read this op-ed, co-authored by NYC-EJA Executive Director Eddie Bautista and Council Member Sandy Nurse here: citylimits.org/opinion-clos...

After years of fighting for budget justice, our grassroots People’s Budget coalition is pleased to see the fruits of our labor. While there’s more work to do, this budget is a clean break from the austerity politics of the past. Full statement here: peoplesplan.nyc/news/press-releases/191737/

FY2027 budget includes ✅Increased funding for community-based mental health care ❌No new cops Grateful to @nycprogressives.bsky.social for their ongoing partnership in advocating for the Crisis to Care platform & investing in what works! #CloseRikers #CareNotCops council.nyc.gov/press/2026/0...

THANK YOU to @mayor.nyc.gov for moving New York forward to end the monstrosity that is Rikers by transferring NIC and parts of AMKC and GMDC by the mandated deadline. Today, NIC, AMKC, and GMDC. Next up, the rest of Rikers Island! #CloseRikers #RenewableRikers

We’re glad to have a mayor who recognizes the need to close #Rikers, and we look forward to a budget that reflects that. Listen to Takeasha Newton at the Legal Aid Society share how she would... #CloseRikers #CareNotCriminalization #NYCBudget

New York City runs the most richly funded and staffed jail system in the country, while consistently delivering the worst results. Our next City budget must invest in community resources that will actually improve safety and reduce incarceration, and #CloseRikers. #NYCBudget #2026Budget

"People with serious mental illness continue to suffer in jails repeatedly criticized for violence, neglect, isolation, staffing shortages, and inadequate mental health care." - @justynaspeaksup.bsky.social www.nydailynews.com/2026/06/16/u...

New York City runs the most richly funded and staffed jail system in the country, while consistently delivering the worst results. Mayor Mamdani’s Executive Budget does not yet live up to the commitments he made during his campaign. #CloseRikers #NYCBudget #2026Budget

We’re glad to have a mayor who recognizes the need to close #Rikers, and we look forward to a budget that reflects that. Listen to Anthony Posada at the Legal Aid Society share how he would... #CloseRikers #CareNotCriminalization #NYCBudget

We are glad to see this position filled and ready to work together to address the shameful inequities in NYC's criminal legal system that leave thousands of our neighbors languishing on Rikers - before a conviction - because they can't pay for their freedom. #CloseRikers www.nyc.gov/mayors-offic...

"The conversation about closing Rikers is no longer a question of whether change is needed. The question is whether we have the courage to invest in solutions that save lives and strengthen communities." - Samantha Becerra @providenceNY #CloseRikers www.amny.com/law/nyc-budg...

Thanks again to our friends with Radical Evolution Theater for joining us at Tuesday's rally for a #CloseRikers budget, and for even writing a song for the occasion, Rikers Is a Ripoff! #NYCBudget #2026Budget

"Following the legal and moral mandate to close Rikers...includes funding the things that keep communities safe, like community-based mental health treatment, housing, and services for people coming home." - Freedom Agenda Co-Director Darren Mack #CloseRikers queenseagle.com/all/2026/6/2...

Out supporting @freedomagendany.bsky.social and their call to #CloseRikers.

Rikers is the most expensive and least effective tool our city has to create safety. 📢 JOIN US NEXT TUESDAY, June 2 as we rally before the City Council hearing on criminal justice to demand a budget that will get Rikers closed! RSVP: bit.ly/62closerikers #CloseRikers

Mamdani “rhetorically championed a new approach to public safety that was about reducing criminalization,” said Yul-san Liem of @justicecommittee.bsky.social “Unfortunately, we haven't seen that materialize in his first 100-plus days,” Liem added. gothamist.com/news/broken-...

We’re glad to have a mayor who recognizes the need to close #Rikers, and we look forward to a budget that reflects that. Listen to Public Advocate Jumaane Williams share how he would... #CloseRikers #CareNotCriminalization #NYCBudget

We’re glad to have a mayor who recognizes the need to close #Rikers, and we look forward to a budget that reflects that. Listen to American on Trial, Inc. Executive Director Vidal Guzman share how he would... #CloseRikers #CareNotCriminalization #NYCBudget

We’re glad to have a mayor who recognizes the need to close #Rikers, and we look forward to a budget that reflects that. Listen to Victor Pate share how he would... #CloseRikers #CareNotCriminalization #NYCBudget

STATEMENT from Freedom Agenda Co-Director Darren Mack on the fourth death in DOC custody this year

Rikers is the most expensive and least effective tool our city has to create safety. 📢 JOIN US Tuesday, June 2 as we rally before the City Council hearing on criminal justice to demand a budget that will get Rikers closed! RSVP: bit.ly/62closerikers #CloseRikers #NYCBudget

STATEMENT from Freedom Agenda Co-Director Darren Mack on the third death in DOC custody this year

What’s the deal with the plan to Close Rikers now that there’s a receptive administration in office? Join @freedomagendany.bsky.social + @nywfp.bsky.social’s Brooklyn Chapter tomorrow at 7 PM to find out ahead of the City budget deadline: www.mobilize.us/ny-wfp/event...

"Our jail system operates four times less efficiently than most others....while programs that actually deliver safety remain underfunded. Rightsizing DOC by reducing vacancies is the kind of structural correction the moment demands, where justice meets fiscal sense." #CloseRikers

We’re glad to have a mayor who recognizes the need to close #Rikers, and we look forward to a budget that reflects that. Listen to Freedom Agenda Member Joseph Soto share how he would... #CloseRikers #CareNotCriminalization #NYCBudget

We’re glad to have a mayor who recognizes the need to close #Rikers, and we look forward to a budget that reflects that. Listen to Robert O'Connor of Exodus Transitional Community share how he would... #CloseRikers #CareNotCriminalization #NYCBudget

@mayor.nyc.gov Mamdani's first executive budget has real wins — but as NYers grapple with a historic affordability crisis, NYC must invest longer term in essential services, housing, & the social safety net to make sure NYers can afford to stay in the city and thrive. #PeoplesBudget #CareNotCuts

For decades, DOC's budget has kept growing while the number of people in jail shrank. We commend Mayor Mamdani for taking this first step to reign in DOC's bloated budget, as New York City prepares to #CloseRikers.

The Anna M. Kross Center (AMKC) is the largest jail on Rikers, and has been one of the deadliest. Over 705 grievances submitted by people incarcerated at Rikers and other city jails from 2017-2022 detailed widespread sewage and flooding...

Leaders @cmsandynurse.bsky.social @tiffanycaban.bsky.social @cmalexaaviles.bsky.social + Kayla Santosuosso issue the following statement in regard to the release of Mayor Mamdani’s FY27 Executive Budget:

We’re glad to have a mayor who recognizes the need to close #Rikers, and we look forward to a budget that reflects that. Listen to Freedom Agenda Member Greg Williams share how he would... #CloseRikers #CareNotCriminalization #NYCBudget

We’re glad to have a mayor who recognizes the need to close #Rikers, and we look forward to a budget that reflects that. Listen to City Council Member Shahana Hanif share how she would… #CloseRikers #CareNotCriminalization #NYCBudget

The Anna M. Kross Center (AMKC) is the largest jail on Rikers, and has been one of the deadliest. Over 705 grievances submitted by people incarcerated at Rikers and other city jails from 2017-2022 detailed widespread sewage and flooding, breathing complications, odors, rashes...

"Despite the delays that Eric Adams caused, Mayor Mamdani could still close most of the Rikers jails by the legal deadline if the city treats it with urgency." - Freedom Agenda Co-Director Darren Mack #CloseRikers queenseagle.com/all/2026/5/3...

We joined almost 50 organizations to tell Mayor Mamdani - the new Office of Community Safety is an important step forward, but it must leave the ineffective, costly cycle of criminalization in the past. www.justicecommittee.org/post/letter-...

❌ Stop ineffective & harmful tickets, arrests + violence against vulnerable NYers ✅ Start developing an Office of Community Safety that holds the NYPD accountable & creates non-police crisis response teams That’s our message to @nycmayor in a new letter signed by 47 orgs👇 buff.ly/pwgtSbO

As our members know, false claims of 'assaults on officers' are too often used to justify brutality by COs, and even placement in solitary. We must create more ways for incarcerated people to be heard, and believed.

STATEMENT from the Campaign to #CloseRikers on Mayor Mamdani's appointment of Dana Kaplan as Close Rikers Czar. We look forward to working with Kaplan toward erasing this stain on our City. www.campaigntocloserikers.org/statements-r...

Violently arresting someone sleeping on the subway during a blizzard isn't "safety," nor a good use of taxpayer dollars. @mayor.nyc.gov may not have started this policy, but he's certainly responsible for continuing it - or at least not stopping NYPD as court cases escalate. Shame.

There is no reason these cases should be going to court. These New Yorkers need to be connected to housing and services (expanding City fHEPS, anyone??) not dragged out into the cold or cuffed.

Last month, partners in the Campaign to #CloseRikers testified in City Council's budget hearing - join us in telling the Mayor and City Council that we need a budget that cuts DOC budget bloat and allocates funding to meet the needs of New Yorkers: bit.ly/BudgetCloseR...

Our City and our new @mayor.nyc.gov can and must do better than this. Housing and healthcare are much more effective (and less expensive) ways to address sleeping on the subway than NYPD arrests that too often escalate.

Last month, partners in the Campaign to #CloseRikers testified in City Council's budget hearing - join us in telling the Mayor and City Council that we need a budget that cuts DOC budget bloat and allocates funding to meet the needs of New Yorkers: bit.ly/BudgetCloseRikers

VICTORY! We applaud @mayor.nyc.gov for vetoing Intro 175-B & standing for free speech rights & safety. 100+ orgs & unions & thousands of NYers made it clear: yes to our rights & #NoTo175B. Let's keep the pressure up! @council.nyc.gov must vote NO & sustain veto. Act now: tinyurl.com/noto175b

We’re glad to have a mayor who recognizes the need to #CloseRikers, and we look forward to a budget that reflects that. Listen to Freedom Agenda member Tammy Reed share how she would reallocate the billions of dollars currently wasted on Rikers to achieve true community safety. #NYCBudget

Hector Sierra died for a fare evasion arrest. @mayor.nyc.gov needs to end NYPD's broken windows crusade, and @brooklynda.org needs to decline to prosecute these cases (as other DAs are doing) gothamist.com/news/brookly...

The Anna M. Kross Center (AMKC) is the largest jail on Rikers, and has been one of the deadliest. Listen to Freedom Agenda member Gino Santos share his experience there. #CloseRikers

We’re glad to have @mayor.nyc.gov who recognizes the legal and moral mandate to #CloseRikers. We gave some steps he could take in his first 100 days to get NYC back on track to closing Rikers. Today we are issuing a report on his progress. READ THE REPORT --> bit.ly/CloseRikers-100Days

We were glad to hear @mayor.nyc.gov reaffirm his commitment to #CloseRikers last night at his #100DayAddress! Here are some tangible next steps to continue getting New York back on track to end the horrors of Rikers forever.