Over the last few weeks, we've seen Trump escalate his authoritarian tactics by attempting to weaponize the Department of Justice to target his political critics. We're fighting back. Join us today at noon via Zoom for our weekly Pro-Democracy Phone Zap. Register here: katal.info/redalert

“After brutally murdering Robert Brooks and Messiah Nantwi, it is beyond credulity for DOCCS and the corrections unions to be trying to roll back basic protections of the rights of incarcerated people" said Jerome Wright from the #HALTsolitary campaign. www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2025/...

Check out our most recent bi-weekly New York Update. Here's what's included: ◾Pushing for Hochul to Sign the Corrections Omnibus Bill and Overhaul the SCOC ◾ICE Out of Rikers #ShutRikers ◾Weekly Pro-Democracy Phone Zaps ◾Katal in the News katalcenter.org/2025/09/kata...

New in the @nytimes.com: "Some Rikers Detainees Are Illegally Isolated, Lawsuit Says" The lawsuits state that 2 housing areas in Rikers, the West Facility & North Infirmary Command, are placing people in solitary confinement, which violates the HALT Act. #ShutRikers www.nytimes.com/2025/09/22/n...

Several former corrections officers who were charged in the brutal murder of Robert Brooks at Marcy prison in December are expected to plead guiltily today. The killing of Mr. Brooks highlights the systemic culture of violence and abuse in NYS prisons. www.timesunion.com/capitol/arti...

Yesterday, 11 NYC elected officials were arrested by the US Department of Homeland Security officers for demanding entry into the immigrant detention cells at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan. Trump's deportation agenda is harming communities across the city. gothamist.com/news/lawmake...

As COVID-19 continues to spread across the state, "New York will give pharmacists cover to dispense COVID-19 vaccines this fall in the wake of uncertainty over federal immunization policy." gothamist.com/news/hochul-...

New in @nyamnews.bsky.social: "Advocates await Hochul’s signature on prison oversight reform bill package" In June, the legislature passed a corrections omnibus bill to address the crises unfolding in jails & prisons. @governor.ny.gov must now sign it into law. amsterdamnews.com/news/2025/09...

NEW in @nysfocus.bsky.social: ICE Detentions in New York County Jails Have Exploded. "So far this year, the state’s county jails have held six times more people for federal immigration authorities than they did in all of 2024." Our electeds must fight back & protect us. nysfocus.com/2025/09/16/i...

DOCCS is keeping incarcerated people at Marcy prison (where Robert Brooks was murdered) with mental health issues in solitary confinement. Yesterday, a federal judge ruled to give them more out-of-cell time. The state's prison systems remain in crisis. 
www.timesunion.com/capitol/arti...

This week, we've seen Trump continue to intensify his authoritarian tactics. He's planning to send the National Guard to Memphis. We must fight back. Join us tomorrow, Wed, 9/17, at noon via Zoom for our Pro-Democracy Phone Zap w/ the @nasw.bsky.social NY Chapter. RSVP here: katal.info/redalert

No ICE on Rikers and #ShutRikers! Our organizing director @melaniedominguez.bsky.social speaking at the step of City Hall.

HAPPENING NOW: Press Conference on the steps of City Hall celebrating the NYS Supreme Courts decisions to block Mayor Adams from bringing ICE back on Rikers. Adams sold out NYC to operationalize Trumps dangerous deportation agenda. To that we say, HELL NO!

All summer we have been canvassing in Brownsville. We’re talking to people about the crisis at Rikers and ways they can take action. Today in Brownsville we spoke with dozens of community members about the recent deaths, getting ICE off Rikers, and more. #ShutRikers

In at least 17 cases from 2013 to 2023, responding police officers did not take basic steps to confirm if their fellow officers had driven drunk, despite significant indications they had, an investigation by The New York Times and New York Focus found. nysfocus.com/2025/09/09/n...

On Friday, a federal judge sided with the Trump administration by allowing ICE to continue detaining and arresting people at the federal courthouse in Manhattan. This harmful decision will enable the lawless abduction of our neighbors to persist. gothamist.com/news/federal...

In New York prison’s people incarcerated in mental health units are kept in their cells 24 hours a day and denied therapeutic services. This crisis and many more happening in NY Prisons shows @governor.ny.gov the need to sign the Corrections Oversight bill into law! truthout.org/articles/peo...

Join us for today’s #NYCJReformCall at noon. Lots of updates from Albany to discuss. We'll hear from: ◾Artie Malkin, Malkin & Ross ◾Cassandra Bocanegra, @thenyic.bsky.social ◾Erica Vladimer, @citizenactionny.org ◾Laura Whitehorn, RAPP RSVP: katal.info/newyork

@katalcenter.org: "We hail this ruling; instead of working with ICE to further criminalize immigrants, the Mayor should be working to shut down the deadly jail complex and protect all New Yorkers.”

New: two NYC public defender orgs slammed the Department of Correction Tuesday for what they described as systemic, “unconstitutional” barriers that prevent incarcerated people on Rikers from meeting w/ their lawyers, including locking lawyers in rooms w/out bathrooms for hours. #ShutRikers

“We hail this ruling; instead of working with ICE to further criminalize immigrants, the Mayor should be working to shut down the deadly Rikers Island jail complex and protect all New Yorkers." -- @melaniedominguez.bsky.social #ShutRikers

RELEASE: Today, @nyccomptroller.bsky.social sent a letter to @governor.ny.gov calling on her to immediately sign the Corrections Oversight bill into law. With Rikers in crisis & the death toll soaring, the letter calls for the SCOC to be overhauled! #ShutRikers katalcenter.org/2025/09/nyc-...

Check out our most recent New York Bi-Weekly Update. Here's what's included: -The Death Toll Soars at Rikers, 3 Deaths in Less Than Two Weeks #ShutRikers -September #NYCJReformCall -Weekly Pro-Democracy Phone Zaps -Inspiring Resistance This Week -Quotes of the Week katalcenter.org/2025/09/kata...

Mayor Adams’s Order Allowing ICE Into Rikers Is Illegal, Judge Rules Justice Mary V. Rosado said plan to let immigration agents into the jail presented a conflict of interest because the mayor had received special treatment from the Trump administration. #ShutRikers www.nytimes.com/2025/09/08/n...

At least 12 people have died in DOC custody this year. Since Mayor Eric Adams took office in 2022, at least 45 people have died in NYC jails. Rikers is a death trap and must be closed. #ShutRikers

"The rash of deaths on Rikers Island continued on Wednesday, when a man died after experiencing an apparent medical crisis in the jail complex that has claimed the lives of three people over the last two weeks." #ShutRikers queenseagle.com/all/2025/9/8...

Horrible news. We've got to keep fighting to protect our immigrant community members.

On Friday, the DOJ passed a ruling making it easier for the Trump administration to detain undocumented immigrants. This continues Trump's attacks on our community. We're fighting back. Join us on Wednesday, 9/10, at noon via Zoom for our Pro-Democracy Phone Zap. Register here: katal.info/redalert

We’re back from our summer hiatus! Join us Thursday, September 11th, at 12pm for our monthly NY Statewide Criminal Justice Reform Call. We'll discuss which criminal justice bills are awaiting the Governor's signature, the upcoming 2026 legislative session, and more! RSVP here: katal.info/newyork

New in amNY by @adamdalynews.bsky.social: "Another Rikers Island death: Man succumbs after reported seizure; third in-custody death at facility in 2 weeks" This is the 3rd Death at Rikers in the last 2 weeks & at least the 12 death in DOC custody this year. #ShutRikers www.amny.com/news/rikers-...

This is a reminder to join our Shut Rikers Campaign Update Call today 9/4 at noon via Zoom. The death toll at Rikers Island continues to rise under the Adams administration. Join us in fighting back and demanding that the city #ShutRikers. RSVP here: katal.info/shutrikers

The wildcat strike by Correctional Officers in NY has left the state prison system in further crisis. Facilities have had to cut back on all their programming and incarcerated people are forced to remain in their cells for up to 20 hours a day. This is unacceptable! nysfocus.com/2025/09/02/c...

Over the last few weeks, we've seen Trump intensify his authoritarian tactics. One easy way to fight is by contacting your representatives. Join us next Wed 9/10 at noon for our weekly Pro-Democracy Phone Zap via Zoom to fight against Trump's authoritarian takeover! Register: katal.info/redalert

New op-ed in the @nytimes.com by the @bailproject.org about Trump targeting bail reform. "We know that bail reform works: Community safety, not personal wealth, best determines who is released and who is detained." www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/o...

On Saturday, news broke that Jimmy Avila died while being incarcerated at Rikers Island. This is the eleventh person to die in DOC custody this year. At least 44 people have died since Eric Adams became mayor in 2022. #ShutRikers See our statement in response: katalcenter.org/2025/09/seco...

Our latest update: Freedom Sounds event (w/songs recorded in prisons), an info session about receivership at Rikers, our pro-democracy phone zaps, the NY statewide criminal justice reform call, & more: Check it out!

New in @cityandstateny.bsky.social: "How much authority will the court-appointed Rikers boss actually have? Applicants want to know." @sahalied.bsky.social Today is the deadline for the parties to submit recommendations for a remediation manager. #ShutRikers www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...

This summer, we've been door knocking in Brownsville BKLYN, talking w/residents about #ShutRikers. We recently came across these fliers--the 1st general election materials we've seen on doors in Brownsville. 👀 cc @hellgatenyc.com @thecity.nyc @cityandstateny.bsky.social @errollouis.bsky.social

This week, we've seen the Trump administration work to further criminalize and incarcerate our communities by signing an executive order aimed at eliminating cashless bail. We're fighting back! Join us today at noon via Zoom for our Pro-Democracy Phone Zap! RSVP: katal.info/redalert

Trump Targets Bail Reform in Latest Threat to New York’s Federal Funding. @nysfocus.bsky.social lays out what the new executive order may mean for New York.

Local jails–mostly run by elected sheriffs–are making money off of ICE's rampant criminalization of immigration.

On Saturday, Ardit Billa, 29, died while incarcerated at Rikers. Three CO's have been suspended and it appears their was medical neglect and missed check-ups leading up to his death. This is unconscionable. Rikers is a death trap and must be shut down. #ShutRikers www.thecity.nyc/2025/08/25/a...

Join us today, Tuesday, August 26 from 12-1pm via Zoom for our Receivership at Rikers Info Session. In May, a federal judge ordered that she would appoint a remediation manager at Rikers. We'll discuss what this means for the fight to #ShutRikers. Register here: katal.info/receivership

Check out our Shut Rikers table at our fundraiser at the Freedom Sounds: Songs from Prisons and the Struggle Against Them. Later tonight we”ll host a panel discussion on the crisis unfolding in New York's jails and prisons, and explore ways individuals can take action!

Tonight, Thursday August 21, we’re hosting a “Freedom Sounds: Songs from Prisons and the Struggle Against Them” fundraiser at Nowadays in Ridgewood, Queens. The event will include a panel discussion, records made inside state prisons, and more, Get your ticket here: katal.info/freedomsounds

“Precisely zero resources — no money, no vacant federal buildings, no housing — have come from the federal government to support moving people inside,” Amber W. Harding, the executive director of the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless, said in a statement. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/18/u...

The Trump administration is working to consolidate power, operate with impunity, & increase criminalization. We must fight back! Join us today at noon via Zoom for our Pro-Democracy Phone Zap to call our US representatives in Congress to demand they reject his policies! RSVP: katal.info/redalert

Tomorrow, Thursday, August 21st, we're hosting a "Freedom Sounds" Fundraiser in Ridgewood, Queens. The event will feature a panel on the unfolding incarceration crisis in NY, a listening session of records made inside and about prisons, and more. Get your ticket here: katal.info/freedomsounds

900 homeless people in Washington, DC have been displaced by Trump deployment of national guards -- a typical tactic from the authoritarian playbook. One way to fight is by joining us this Wednesday, 8/20, at noon for our weekly Pro-Democracy Phone Zap on Zoom. Register at: katal.info/redalert

Some homeless people on the streets of Washington, D.C., have been forced to move as part of President Trump's marshaling of federal forces on the nation’s capital. It is unclear how many of the estimated 900 people who sleep on the city’s streets have been affected.