FRIDAY, December 20, 2019, 6:30-8:30 pm • Baldwin, LI • Town Hall on long sentences and solitary confinement • Second Baptist Church, 2050 Grand Avenue, Baldwin 11510 • sponsored by RAPP and #HALTSolitary
THURSDAY, December 19, 2019, 5-8 pm • Albany, NY • Town Hall on how mass incarceration affects the Capitol Region and why we must #FreeOurElders and #HALTSolitary • Howe Library; 105 Schuyler St, Albany, NY 12202 • sponsored by RAPP, Vocal-NY, and NYCAIC
WEDNESDAY, December 18, 2019, Noon • Rally: Home for the Holidays • Tell Governor Cuomo: Grant clemencies and commutations to reunite families and communities! • Gov. Cuomo’s office, 633 Third Ave.
SATURDAY, December 14, 2019, 6:00 pm • Justice for Rodney Reed and Abolish the Death Penalty! • The People’s Forum, 320 West 37th Street, Manhattan (8th/9th Avenues) • RAPP’s Jose Saldana will speak on abolishing life-without-parole (LWOP) sentences, “the other death penalty”
SATURDAY, December 14, 2019 • 3:00-5:00pm • The Work to Promote Parole Justice and End Death By Incarceration • the Village Zendo, 588 Broadway, Suite 1108, Manhattan (one block south of Houston) • free event
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019, 6:00-8:00 pm • Human Rights Day Harlem Town Hall to #HALTSolitary and #FreeOurElders • Raw Space Gallery, 2031 Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., Blvd. (between 121st and 122nd Streets), Harlem
SATURDAY, December 7, 2019, doors open 5:00pm • Remembering Our Political Prisoners • 90-40 160th St., Jamaica, NY, Harvest Room at Jamaica Market • panel includes: Kairi Al-Amin, Mauri Saalakhan, Ramzi Kassem, Mark Shervington of RAPP, Aisha Al-Adawiya
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2019, 7:30pm • Launch Party for the Certain Days/Freedom for Political Prisoner Calendar with RAPP • 168 Canal Street, 6th Floor, Manhattan
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2019, 6:00-8:00pm • Boricua College, 890 Washington Avenue, Bronx, NY (Faculty Colloquium Rm. 405) • Bronx Town Hall on Solitary Confinement & Elder Parole• RAPP and HALTSolitary with Senator Luis Sepulveda, Chair of the NYS Senate Committee on Crime, Crime Victims, and Correction
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2019, 9:30am-12:30pm •Washington, DC • Justice Roundtable Assembly featuring Jose Saldana on a panel on lengthy sentences • True Reformer Building, 1200 U Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009 • Details and livestream
TUESDAY, November 26, 2019, 12:30pm • RALLY to Reunite Families and Promote Parole Justice • Hope for the Holidays • Foley Square, Manhattan • Join RAPP, the Parole Preparation Project, and some of our leaders with family members currently serving long sentences in the New York State prison system to call on New York State lawmakers to reunite families and bring hope to our loved ones behind bars. Click here for PHOTOS
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2019, 7:00pm • Parole Preparation Project Welcome Home Party + Fundraiser • Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Dr., Manhattan • Buy Tickets (starting at $25)
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2019, 6:00pm • RAPP Teach-in for students • 168 Canal St., 6th Fl., Manhattan • getting ready for a student contingent to January 14th Albany mobilization day
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2019, 6:00-8:00 pm • Yonkers town hall: #HALT Solitary and #FreeOurElders • end inhumane treatment and death by incarceration in New York State • Yonkers Public Library, 1 Larkin Center, Yonkers • sponsored by VOCAL-NY, NY Campaign for Alternatives to Isolated Confinement, and RAPP
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2019, doors open at 5:30pm • 13th Annual Citizens Awards • Citizens Against Recidivism • Our Children’s Foundation, 527 West 125th St., Harlem • Awardees include RAPP Director Jose Hamza Saldana • tickets and more information
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2019, 8:00 pm-1:00 am • CELEBRATE 40 YEARS OF FREEDOM FOR ASSATA SHAKUR at the 11th annual Freedom Dance • National Black Theater, 2031 Fifth Avenue, Harlem (between 125th and 126th Streets) • $20 entrance; food and beverages available for sale • DJ Lumumba (a/k/a Revolution) • ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT US POLITICAL PRISONERS
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2019, 6:00pm • Rally Outside Gov. Cuomo’s Fundraiser: Cuomo is hosting a fundraiser at 205 W. 46th St. (off 7th Ave in midtown Manhattan.) Join RAPP and HALTsolitary to rally and demand an end to the punishment of solitary, long sentences, and parole denials. Help us let the governor know that New Yorkers want a real end to the racist incarceration system.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2019, 6:30pm • Re-examining Mandatory Minimum Sentences • a panel discussion at the NYC Bar Association, 42 West 44th Street, NY • panel includes RAPP’s Carlos Ivan Calaff
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2019, Noon-3:00 pm • Upper Manhattan Showing Up For Racial Justice gathering with RAPP • Come learn about RAPP’s work on parole justice and ending life imprisonment, and the ways SURJ members can support it. All welcome! • Please email ryan.acquaotta@gmail.com for location
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2019, 3:00-6:00 pm • Dessert party fundraiser for RAPP • 168 Canal St., 6th Fl., New York, NY 10013 • a gathering with a variety of treats to celebrate the work the RAPP community has been doing to end mass incarceration. Please join us whether or not you can donate. Bring a friend or make a new one there! All are welcome.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2019. 7:00-8:30 pm • Town Hall on Solitary Confinement and Parole, hosted by NYS Assembly Member Harvey Epstein (District 74 Manhattan) • The Boys and Girls Republic, 888 East 6th St. (between Avenue D and FDR Drive, Lower East Side) • RSVP: Events.District74@gmail.com or 212-979-9696 (space is limited) • sponsored by RAPP and NY Campaign for Alternatives to Isolated Confinement (NYCAIC)
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2019, 4:00-6:00 pm • Bedford Hills, NY • Adopt-A-Prison • Bedford Town House, 321 Bedford Rd. • Free and open to the public • more info
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2:00-5:00 pm • Brooklyn, NY • Picnic: Come Together to End Mass Incarceration • Prospect Park, below Center Drive near the Nethermead • fundraiser for RAPP by Showing Up for Racial Justice-NY
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2019, 6:30-9:00 pm, Harlem • Ending Life Imprisonment • a panel featuring Marc Mauer and Ashley Nellis, authors of “The Meaning of Life: The Case for Abolishing Life Sentences;” Jose Saldana of RAPP, and Saleem Holbrook of Pennsylvania’s Campaign Against Death by Incarceration (CADBI) and the Abolitionist Law Center. Both Jose Saldana and Saleem Holbrook are formerly incarcerated long-termers working to end life imprisonment. • Gavin Brown’s Enterprise, 439 W 127th St (between Amsterdam and Convent Avenues), New York, NY 10027 • FREE
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2019 – Lunchtime, 12:15-1:45 pm – the same panel will lead a teach-in at the Columbia School of Social Work, Rm. C03, 1255 Amsterdam Ave., NYC (at 122nd St) • OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2019, 7:00-9:00 pm • The enduring legacy of Attica • Weeksville Heritage Center, 158 Buffalo Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11213 • A conversation with Heather Ann Thompson, Tyrrell Muhammad, and Jose Saldana • Free, RSVP
SATURDAY, August 24, 2019, 3:00-7:00 pm • 24th Annual Dinner Tribute to Political Prisoners • Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center, 100-01 Northern Blvd, Corona, Queens • Dinner served at 4:00 pm; admission $40 in advance ($45 at the door) to raise funds for political prisoners • info, call or text 973-202-0745
FRIDAY, August 23, 6:00-8:00 pm • RAPP’s Mark Shervington on a panel, Movement Lawyering: Building Community Power & Challenging the Nonprofit Industrial Complex • CUNY School of Law Community Room, 2 Court Square, Long Island City, NY • sponsored by CUNY Law’s Luis DeGraffe Racial and Social Justice Orientation (RSJO)
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2019, 5:00 pm • Rally, march, and memorial to remember Valerie Gaiter and voice our outrage that she died in NYS DOCCS custody • Rally and speak-out: 250 Broadway (NYS legislative offices), 5:00-6:00 pm; march to 168 Canal St.: 6:00 pm; memorial, 6:30 pm • CLICK HERE to read media about Val Gaiter, the rally in her memory, and the Elder Parole bill that could have allowed her to go home.
SUNDAY, August 4, 2019, 1:00 pm • Brunch That Benefits: A Notecard Fundraiser for Political Prisoners – original notecards by Sophia Dawson on sale, performances, and more • Five Spot Soul Food, 459 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11205 • more info: 914-439-7765 • sponsored by Northeast Political Prisoner Coalition
FRIDAY, July 12, 2019, Detroit, Michigan, 7:00-9:00 pm • “The Case For Abolishing Life Sentences,” featuring Marc Mauer of The Sentencing Project and a panel discussion • Wayne State University, Spencer M. Partrich Auditorium • part of a conference on “Ending Perpetual Punishment” (July 12-23) co-sponsored by RAPP • click for more info • This event is part of a national effort to end life imprisonment
MONDAY, July 8, 2019, 1:30-4:30 pm • Race, Criminal Justice, and Human Rights, Child Immigrants and the Universal Periodic Review • UNA-USA Southern New York State Division • RAPP’s Jose Saldana will speak • Nelson Mandela room at the Ford Foundation office, 42nd St., NYC (RSVP required)
THURSDAY, June 27, 2019, 7:00-9:00 pm • Celebrate 175 years of the Correctional Association of NY • NeueHouse, 100 E. 25th St., NYC 10010
Help pass the HALT Solitary bill – urgent events and updates right now (click for details)
WEDNESDAY, June 5, 2019, 9:00 am-5:00 pm • Call-in day to press Gov. Cuomo to appoint rehabilitation-based commissioners to the NYS Board of Parole • (click for details)
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2019, 7:30 pm • Caring for the Incarcerated: Will a Single Payer System Protect the Rights of the Most Vulnerable? • Mt. Sinai Med School – Annenberg Rm. 12-01 – 1468 Madison Avenue (between 99th & 101st Sts.) • sponsored by Physicians for a National Health Plan, New York Metro Chapter
TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2019 • Albany Advocacy Day for parole justice
SATURDAY, May 11, 2019, 1:00 pm • Rally to support children and family visits in NYS prisons • 848 Columbus Circle (at 59th St.), Manhattan • We Got Us Now campaign, the Osborne Association
FRIDAY, May 3, 2019, 6:00-8:00 pm • Join RAPP in the movement for parole justice • New Hour for Women and Children-LI, 1725 Brentwood Rd., Main Building 2
TUESDAY, April 30, 2019, Albany, all day • RAPP will join HALT Solitary to push the NYS legislature to pass the HALT Solitary bill (A.2500/S.1623) • RSVP for free transportation and more information See this link for other actions to support the passage of this important bill (and NYC actions on April 23 and trainings on 4/19 and 4/22).
MONDAY, April 29, 2019, 2019, 7:00 to 9:00pm • RAPP will join the Sero Project and the Gay Center NYC to launch issue #2 of Turn It Up! Staying Strong Inside, dedicated to the late Mujahid Farid • with Brian Carmichael, Turn It Up! contributor recently paroled • 208 W. 13th St., Manhattan (between 7th and 8th Avenues)
FRIDAY, April 26, 3:00-8:00pm, and SATURDAY, April 27, 10:00am-5:00pm • Queens • Black Family Empower Summit• Queens Education Opportunity Center, Jamaica, Queens • Free event, complimentary meals
THURSDAY, April 25, 2019, 7:00 pm • “Lockdown,” by Cori Thomas, with Jose Saldana on a talkback panel after the play • Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, 224 Waverly Place, Manhattan • tickets here
TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2019, 6:00pm (cocktails; dinner at 7:00 pm) • North Star Fund 40th anniversary Gala • RAPP received the Frederick Douglass Award • More information here
SATURDAY, April 13, 2019, 1:00-3:00 pm • RAPP member orientation • 168 Canal St., 6th Fl., Manhattan • snacks and discussion of RAPP history, principles, and goals
THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2019, 12:30 pm • RAPP’s Jose Saldana on aging in prison at Fordham Law School, Rm. 303 • sponsored by Advocates for the Incarcerated and Feerick Center for Social Justice, Fordham Law School
SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 2019, 2:00-3:00 pm • RAPP’s Mark Shervington on panel, “Deconstructing Injustice/Challenging Incarceration,” at the National Action Network conference, Sheraton Hotel, 811 Seventh Avenue, Empire West, second floor, Manhattan • Free, register here
SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 2019, 9:30am-4:30pm • Paving the Way conference, Healing Equity • St. Francis de Sales School for the Deaf, 260 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn
THURSDAY, April 4th, 2019, 10:00 am • RALLY for parole justice • Governor Cuomo must fill the 7 empty seats on the NYS Board of Parole with new commissioners who understand & believe in rehabilitation, second chances • Governor Cuomo’s office, 633 3rd Ave., between 40th & 41st Streets, New York, NY 10017 • Info here
WEDNESDAY, March 27, 2019, 7:00 pm • The Long Term: Resisting Life Sentences, Working Toward Freedom, with Mariame Kabe • Housing Works Cafe, 126 Crosby St., Manhattan
TUESDAY, March 12, 2019, 6:30-8:30 pm • RAPP’s Jose Saldana featured on a panel with preview of the play “Lock Down” • 110 Hudson St, 10th Floor, Manhattan
Sunday, March 10, 2019 • Beyond the Bars 2019 • This year’s theme: Until She’s Free (details here). Columbia School of Social Work, 1255 Amsterdam Ave. at 122nd St., Manhattan
THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2019, 6:00-8:00 pm • Abolition in Practice • Jose Saldana of RAPP in conversation with other formerly incarcerated advocates • CUNY School of Law 3rd Floor Community Room, 2 Court Square, Long Island City, NY • RSVP here
SUNDAY, March 3, 2019, 6:00-8:00 • Queer Soup Night featuring RAPP • 325 Franklin Ave, Brooklyn 11238 • click here for more info
WEDNESDAY, February 27, 2019, 10:00 am-3:00 pm • End Mass Incarceration Legislative Awareness Day • NY State Capitol, State Street, Albany NY 12210 • sponsored by VOCAL-NY
THURSDAY, February 7, 2019: 9:30 am • Press Conference & Rally for The Justice Road Map: Turning the Tide on Criminalization • 60 Centre Street, Manhattan (Manhattan Supreme Court)
TUESDAY, January 29, 2019 • Albany, NY Parole Justice Advocacy Day • Join us! Meet with NYS elected officials, march and rally to demand: 1. A fully staffed Parole Board (19 Commissioners with professional backgrounds in rehabilitation); 2. Elder parole: all incarcerated older people, aged 55 plus, get an opportunity for parole release after serving 15 consecutive years in prison; 3. A parole process that centers change and transformation instead of punishment and re-sentencing.
See RAPPCampaign.com/Reports to read testimony of RAPP and The Sentencing Project to the NYS Legislature Hearing on Public Protection Budget, January 29, 2019
THURSDAY, January 24, 2019 • 10:00am – noon • Human Justice Summit • with a RAPP panel on parole justice • Bronx Christian Fellowship, 1015 E. Gun Hill Rd., Bronx, NY 10459