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- THE HYDRA | HumanRightsCoalition
THE HYDRA PODCAST The Hydra Podcast . Shakaboona and Serge present the Hydra, exploring cultural and global resistance within the hip hop generation, delving into human rights, dignity, and liberation. They draw upon their prison experiences, where they were politically radicalized by revolutionaries Russell Maroon Shoatz and Joe Joe Bowen. They speak to issues ranging from politics, fashion, food to the drug game, its related violence, police and mass incarceration. SUBSCRIBE
- HOME | HumanRightsCoalition
HUMAN RIGHTS COALITION WHO WE ARE ABOUT OUR MEMBERS The Human Rights Coalition (HRC) is a grassroots non-profit group of currently and formerly incarcerated people, their families, and supporters. It was formed to support families in coping with the stress and hardships created by having a loved one incarcerated, as well as to challenge the punitive, retributive nature of the penal system and to work to transform that to a model of rehabilitation and successful reintegration to society. WHAT WE DO Toxic Prisons. Solitary Confinement. Lack of response to the COVID 19 crisis. Police Brutality. Voting rights for incarcerated citizens, organizing formerly incarcerated people into a Formerly Incarcerated Citizens Union for elections, and ending Felony Disenfranchisement of Incarcerated Citizens serving prison sentences for a felony conviction. These are just some of the issues we are organizing around. Learn more about our work below. OUR CAMPAIGNS HOW YOU CAN HELP GET INVOLVED LATEST NEWS & CURRENT ACTIONS READ MORE CALENDAR The Keir Bradford-Grey Interviews: Episode 1 Watch our exclusive new interview between human rights activist Shakaboona Marshall and Keir Bradford-Grey, poised to be the next... Join us January 15! On January 15, the Human Rights Coalition, along with the Emergency Response Foundation, Right to Be Free, and Free the Ballot, is... Statement on the Passing of Carrington Keys October 5th, 2022 To the Human Rights Coalition Family, Friends, and Supporters: Hello everyone. The Human Rights Coalition (HRC) sadly... THE MOVE MENT Since 2001, HRC has published The Movement, a powerful voice for public awareness that serves both to connect incarcerated people to the outside world and to plug the public into issues affecting incarcerated people. It represents the voices, faces, causes, and ideas of incarcerated people and their families. View Latest Issue Contact Us
- Incarcerated Citizens Voting Initiative | HumanRightsCoalition
Incarcerated Citizens Voting Initiative Introduction The Incarcerated Citizens Voting Initiative (ICVI) seeks to ensure that the constitutional voting rights of incarcerated citizens of America are protected and accessible in county, state, and federal prison systems. We aim to make sure incarcerated citizens have access to voter education, information, registration, and voting ballots. We seek to make sure that America has universal suffrage for ALL its citizens, including those behind bars by eliminating felony disenfranchising laws. We aim to accomplish this through getting incarcerated citizens out to vote, lobbying the legislature, advocacy, public education, direct actions, and legal action. Currently, ICVI mission is to provide Incarcerated Citizens throughout Pennsylvania's 67 Counties access to voter education, voter registration, absentee ballots, polling stations, and election protection for the 37,000 Incarcerated Citizens detained statewide in Pennsylvania County Jail systems and the 7,000 Incarcerated Citizens detained in the Philadelphia County Jail system. ICVI seek to organize the Formerly Incarcerated People in the state of Pennsylvania, and the Philadelphia area particularly, into a Formerly Incarcerated Citizens Union to protect formerly incarcerated people from discriminatory laws, policy, and practice within the government and public sectors. ICVI seek to abolish Pennsylvania's felony disenfranchising election laws that denies Incarcerated Citizens their constitutional right to vote in elections while they are serving a prison sentence for a felony conviction. ICVI is currently seeking to enact HB 2718 and HB 2719 to permit all Incarcerated People to vote by absentee ballot and to establish a Uniform Voting policy in all Correctional Facilities in Pennsylvania, respectively. HRC's initiative, ICVI, is in a national coalition with EP Jail & Post-Release Voting Joint Committee ; in a statewide coalition with the Allegheny County Jail Coalition ; and in a Philadelphia county coalition with the Philly Jail Voting Coalition, consisting of coalition partners PennFranchise Project, Free The Ballot, Abolitionist Law Center, All Votes Is Local, Incarcerated Voter Family Network, Prison Society, Black Votes Matter, NAACP, Committee of Seventy, Women League of Voters, ACLU, Healing Communities PA, Urban League, Straight Ahead, Amistad Law Project, and Black Votes Matter. Get involved. Get involved with ICVI by donating funds or volunteering. Contact Shakaboona Marshall, HRC Executive Director, at ShakaboonaM arshall1215@gmail.com or (215) 888-7762.
- CALENDAR | HumanRightsCoalition
Calendar of Events . HRC hosts several virtual meetings on zoom on a monthly basis. We invite you to join our general meetings, letter writing events, and get involved in one of our subcommittees (Toxic Prisons, Solidarity Not Solitary, and Media). All are welcome! Sync HRC's calendar with yours!
- OUR CAMPAIGNS | HumanRightsCoalition
OUR CAMPAIGNS FIGHTING FOR HUMAN RIGHTS . HRC fights for the rights of incarcerated people in Pennsylvania. Our campaigns focus on the myriad ways in which basic human rights are denied inside prisons- from solitary confinement, to toxic living conditions, to the continued incarceration of elderly people. Learn more about our campaigns below. STOP SOLITARY RELEASE THE AGING AND ELDERLY FIGHT TOXIC PRISONS STOP SOLITARY In 2015, the UN declared that more than two weeks of solitary confinement is “torture” and should never be used in any correctional setting. Yet in Pennsylvania, the DOC confines over 2,500 people in solitary for spans that last months, years, and even decades. Led by organizers who experiencd solitary firsthand, HRC advocates for the passage of legislation that would eliminate long-term solitary confinement and prohibit the use of solitary for vulnerable populations. JOIN OUR CAMPAIGN Solitary Solitary is a Public Health Crisis. Read our fact sheet to learn more. Read More > We can stop solitary through the passage of HB 497/ SB 832. Learn more about these bills. Read More > Are you a professional in the fields of Public Health , Medicine , Social Work, Criminal Justice, or Law? Please sign our letter to support eliminating long-term solitary confinement in PA. Read More > Sign on! RELEASE THE AGING AND ELDERLY Currently over 5,400 people are serving life sentences without the possibility of parole (what we call "Death By Incarceration"). We believe that the incarceration of aging people is not only inhumane, but also unnecessary because older people are much less likely to re-offend after release. In the time of COVID-19, every prison sentence is a death sentence, especially for aging and medically vulnerable folks. Tell your representatives, the DOC, and Governor Wolf to #FreeOurPeople now! TAKE ACTION Aging and Elderly Toxic Prisons In partnership with groups across the state, we are advocating for decarceration during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to save lives. R ead our demands below. Read More > Learn more about how we can abolish Death by Incarceration from the Abolitionist Law Center. Read More > Read about the only viable way for PA to decrease its elderly incarcerated population -- include everyone! Read More > FIGHT TOXIC PRISONS Across Pennsylvania, incarcerated people are subjected to environmental hazards like contaminated water, polluted air, and non-nutritious foods which lead to cancer and other health issues. Many PA prisons are located in toxic areas, such as SCI Fayette which was built on top of a toxic coal ash dumping site. We organize with people on the inside to advocate for humane living conditions. JOIN US Read the Abolitionist Law Center's investigation into the health issues caused by the toxic waste dump surrounding SCI Fayette. Read More > Read personal testimonies from people incarcerated at SCI Fayette about the toxic conditions and impact on their health. Read More > Check out Issue 40 of The Movement to learn more about the conditions at SCI Fayette (Page 19). Read More >
- THE MOVEMENT MAGAZINE | HumanRightsCoalition
THE MOVEMENT HRC'S Quarterly News Magazine . The Movement is a powerful voice for public awareness that serves both to connect people inside to the outside world and to plug the public into issues affecting incarcerated people. It represents the voices, faces, causes, and ideas of incarcerated people and their families. T he Movement presents success stories. The section titled ‘Love Knows No Bars’ shows that family ties and love can remain strong and, in many cases, is the life force that keeps incarcerated people strong. CURRENT ISSUE ARCHIVES Subscribe to The Movement! Current Issue >Click Here to Read Issue 49, Winter 2023 Submissions We welcome all submissions of artwork, poetry, essays, and creative writing. Please keep submissions to two pages maximum. You can email submissions to info@hrcoalition.org or mail them to the address provided below. Donations The Movement is powered through your donations. You can donate online or by sending a check or money order to: Human Rights Coalition PO Box 34580 Philadelphia, PA 19101 Donate Current Issue Archives THE MOVEMENT ARCHIVES . Issue 49, Winter 2023 Issue 46, Winter 2022 Issue 42, Fall 2020 Issue 38, Summer 2019 Issue 31, Spring 2017 Issue 26, Spring 2015 Issue 18, Spring 2013 Issue 14, Spring 2012 Issue 10, Winter 2011 Issue 5, Fall 2009 Issue 45, Fall 2021 Issue 41, Summer 2020 Issue 37, Spring 2019 Issue 30, Winter 2016 Issue 25, Winter 2014 Issue 17, Winter 2012 Issue 13, Winter 2011 Issue 9, Winter 2010 Issue 3, Summer 2009 Issue 48, Summer 2022 Issue 47, Spring 2022 Issue 44, Spring 2021 Issue 43, Winter 2021 Issue 40, Spring 2020 Issue 39, Fall 2019 Issue 34, Spring 2018 Issue 33, Fall 2017 Issue 28, Spring 2016 Issue 27, Summer 2015 Issue 24, Fall 2014 Issue 21, Winter 2013 Issue 16, Fall 2012 Issue 12, Fall 2011 Issue 7, Spring 2010 Issue 2, Spring 2009 Issue 15, Summer 2012 Issue 11, Summer 2011 Issue 6, Winter 2010 Issue 1, Winter 2008 Back to Top The Movement is Funded in part by the Resist Foundation: https://resist.org/
- Stop Solitary | HumanRightsCoalition
STOP SOLITARY STOP SOLITARY In 2015, the UN declared that more than two weeks of solitary confinement is “torture” and should never be used in any correctional setting. Yet in Pennsylvania, the DOC confines over 2,500 people in solitary for spans that last months, years, and even decades. Led by organizers who experiencd solitary firsthand, HRC advocates for the passage of legislation that would eliminate long-term solitary confinement and prohibit the use of solitary for vulnerable populations. JOIN OUR CAMPAIGN Send support to folks in solitary. When people are sent to solitary, their property is tossed and many possessions -- from underwear to books -- are thrown out. People in solitary also aren't allowed to work their prison jobs to get their (very small) paychecks. The money raised by this fundraiser goes directly to people who have been sent to solitary, giving them a chance to buy back some essential items, while connecting them up with outside community. This support shows people whom the state is trying to isolate and break that folks outside support them and are standing in solidarity with them and their struggle for freedom. You can donate via our cashapp ($hrcsolitaryfund) or by following the link below. Donate to the SNS Fund! PASS HB1037 & SB685! Radical change is possible through the passage of HB1037 and SB685, which would prohibit the use of solitary confinement for more than 15 days at a time, for more than 20 days in a 60-day period, and for individuals from vulnerable populations (elderly, pregnant, juvenile, people living with mental illness or intellectual disability, and LGBTI individuals). It also provides disciplinary alternatives to solitary confinement for all but the most serious infractions, introduces a step-down program to transition individuals back into the general population, and prohibits the direct release of individuals from solitary into the community. 51372543530_01bf644baa_c 51372538150_05ab9c7264_c Laissez-faire-32 Laissez-faire-35 Laissez-faire-44 51370772252_5356ea7f5d_c 51372536950_bfebea0ff0_c 51372534435_e204619296_w 51370771012_6967a22a8e_c Laissez-faire-33 Laissez-faire-51 51371761248_cc2ec19e7b_c Laissez-faire-53 Read the bill text All Videos All Videos Play Video Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Search video... Now Playing SolitaryPhilly-Tyree.FinalGraphic 00:44 Play Video Now Playing SolitaryPhilly-Naiymah.FinalGraphic 00:44 Play Video Now Playing SolitaryPhilly-Latanya.FinalGraphic 00:45 Play Video Solitary is a Public Health Crisis. Read our fact sheet to learn more. Read More > We can stop solitary through the passage of HB 1037/ SB 685. Learn more about these bills. Read More > Are you a professional in the fields of Public Health , Medicine , Social Work, Criminal Justice, or Law? Please sign our letter to support eliminating long-term solitary confinement in PA. Read More > Sign on!
- Jericho Philly | HumanRightsCoalition
Philly Jericho Chapter This is your Team page. It's a great space to introduce your team and talk about what makes it special, such as your culture and work philosophy. Don't be afraid to illustrate personality and character to help users connect with your team. Don Francis Founder & CEO Ashley Jones Tech Lead Tess Brown Office Manager Lisa Rose Product Manager Email info@mysite.com Call 123-456-7890 Follow
- Fight Toxic Prisons | HumanRightsCoalition
FIGHT TOXIC PRISONS FIGHT TOXIC PRISONS Across Pennsylvania, incarcerated people are subjected to environmental hazards like contaminated water, polluted air, and non-nutritious foods which lead to cancer and other health issues. Many PA prisons are located in toxic areas, such as SCI Fayette which was built on top of a toxic coal ash dumping site. We organize with people on the inside to advocate for humane living conditions. Meetings are the last Tuesday of every month. Contact us at toxicprisonshrc@gmail.com JOIN US Explore SCI Fayette through a Storymap Learn more about toxic prisons Read the Abolitionist Law Center's investigation into the health issues caused by the toxic waste dump surrounding SCI Fayette. Read More > Read personal testimonies from people incarcerated at SCI Fayette about the toxic conditions and impact on their health. Read More > Check out Issue 40 of The Movement to learn more about the conditions at SCI Fayette (Page 19). Read More >
- Release the Aging and Elderly | HumanRightsCoalition
RELEASE THE AGING AND ELDERLY RELEASE THE AGING AND ELDERLY Currently over 5,400 people are serving life sentences without the possibility of parole (what we call "Death By Incarceration"). We believe that the incarceration of aging people is not only inhumane, but also unnecessary because older people are much less likely to re-offend after release. In the time of COVID-19, every prison sentence is a death sentence, especially for aging and medically vulnerable folks. Tell your representatives, the DOC, and Governor Wolf to #FreeOurPeople now! TAKE ACTION In partnership with groups across the state, we are advocating for decarceration during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to save lives. R ead our demands below. Read More > Learn more about how we can abolish Death by Incarceration from the Abolitionist Law Center. Read More > Read about the only viable way for PA to decrease its elderly incarcerated population -- include everyone! Read More >
- ABOUT | HumanRightsCoalition
ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS COALITION MISSION . Our mission is to empower prisoners’ families to be leaders in prison organizing and to teach them how to advocate on behalf of their loved ones in prison and expose the inhumane practices of the Department of Corrections. HISTORY . The Human Rights Coalition had its first meeting on June 4, 2001 at the house of the mother of one of the men who helped conceive the idea of HRC. The meeting was small and a mix of prisoners’ family members and former prisoners. Many of those who attended, felt powerless in the face of the prison administration and its institutionalized discrimination, abuse, and torture. Yet the lives and well being of their loved ones were at stake – something they could not turn their backs to. At the end of the meeting, however, there was a consensus that a great deal of powerful energy is lying untapped, that if properly focused could change the status quo of the prison system. The source of untapped energy was the constituency of former prisoners and prisoners’ families in this country. Thus HRC was formed, to aid and support prisoners’ families in coping with the stress and hardships created by having a loved one incarcerated, as well as to challenge the punitive retributive nature of the penal system; and, to work to transform that to a model of rehabilitation and successful reintegration to society. VISION . The prison system is based on a foundation of exploitation, punishment and corruption. Most of the people in prison are poor, brown, urban, functionally illiterate, unemployed or under-employed before they were locked down, and are there for non-violent crimes. It reflects all the other social inequalities in our system, and it does not work in its current incarnation. HRC’s ultimate goal is to dismantle and abolish the prison system and replace it with accountability, safety, fairness, and resilience, while focusing on healing instead of punishing. We envision transparency within the criminal justice system – as no one should be above the law. We envision new laws to stop torture and abuse of prisoners, and for the public to show outrage not only for the prisoners in Iraq and other international locations of conflict, but also for prisoners’ rights here in the United States. We envision the prison officials and administration (i.e., guards, counselors, etc.) being held accountable for their actions or in-actions. We envision a “coalition” of families and organizations who seek to eliminate prison abuse and stand up for the human rights of prisoners by educating the public, advocating with prison officials, and lobbying state legislators. WHAT WE DO . Empowerment & Advocacy: We provide a safe place for family members of prisoners where there is no embarrassment associated with having a loved one in prison; HRC members are facing the same stigma, restrictions, dilemmas that you are going through this very minute. We respond to the letters asking for HRC’s help by educating family members on how to build a support system and organize their family, neighbors, and church around their individual issues. We also assure our members that abuse and torture will not be tolerated. The Michael Brown and Eric Garner crimes that were openly committed and excused are routine within the Department of Corrections and affiliations. Bull Horn & Watch Dogs: We collectively address issues of abuse or torture (Emergency Response Network) using Facebook and Email to alert HRC members of reported and confirmed prisoner abuses and/or violations of human rights. To stand up against such violations we bring public awareness, by broadcasting on social media, radio, and newspapers; calling and/or writing to the prison, informing our legislators, and finally collaborating with supporters (i.e., Abolitionist Law Center and Amistad Law Project) in moving forward with next steps. A long-term struggle and the den of abuse and torture has been solitary confinement. We fight for a permanent change in the use and abuse of solitary confinement through legislation [could we include a link to our legislative packet of information about solitary confinement here?]. Two bills have been introduced (House Bill 497 and Senate Bill 832) that will end long term solitary confinement which is a noteworthy step in our in our fight for human rights. Learn more about our Solitary Confinement Work
- JOIN US | HumanRightsCoalition
JOIN HRC TODAY WAYS TO GET INVOLVED . We are a movement of people. Each time a new person joins the Human Rights Coalition, we become more powerful and our shouts are louder in our efforts to abolish the human rights violations of American prisoners; i.e., abuse, torture, and above-the-law attitudes of prison administrations. We welcome everyone to join us in this movement! Sign up here! VOLUNTEER If you support our fight against abuse and torture in prisons, we ask you to join us. Our network of volunteers help out with our several campaigns through phone banking, writing letters, organizing groups to respond to a crisis, running HRC's social media, and leading lobbying efforts. You can volunteer with our campaigns to stop solitary confinement, end toxic prisons, and free lifers and long-termers from prison. JOIN THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE NETWORK The Emergency Response Network (ERN) is a collective method of addressing issues of abuse or torture happening inside prisons. HRC alerts ERN members of reported and confirmed prisoner abuses and/or violations of human rights. To stand up against such violations, we bring public awareness by sharing on social media, calling or writing to the prison, newspapers, radio, or legislators. If you are incarcerated and would like to send HRC a copy of your grievance, you can mail it to: Attn. Emergenc y Response Network Human Rights Coalition PO Box 34580 Philadelphia, PA 19101 FUND OUR MOVEMENT! HRC's work is made possible with your donations. You can donate using the link below or by sending a check or money order to: Human Rights Coalition PO Box 34580 Philadelphia, PA 19101 Donate