May 13, 2020: New York, New York
WHO: People formerly incarcerated at Bedford Hills,VOCAL-NY, Release Aging People in Prison/RAPP Campaign, Parole Preparation Project, WESPAC, Alliance of Families for Justice, Center for Community Alternatives (in formation), New Hour for Women & Children–LI, Survived
and Punished, National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls
WHAT: Rally and virtual press conference
WHERE: Bedford Hills Correctional Facility (Bedford, NY) / ZOOM
WHEN: May 15, 2020 @ 11 AM
On April 28, Darlene “Lulu” Benson-Seay died from COVID19 at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, one of 16 people incarcerated in New York State prisons to die so far during the epidemic, and the first woman. Nationally, three women have died in prisons due to COVID19. Ms. Benson-Seay had an active clemency case, but like so many others was ignored by the Governor and was never granted release.
Despite growing calls for Governor Cuomo to use his clemency power to spare incarcerated people from the spread of the virus, he has done almost nothing to ensure the safety and prevention of death by COVID in the state prisons, releasing just 8 women so far, following a legal challenge from the Legal Aid Society. On Friday we will be honoring Ms. Benson-Seay, and all incarcerated women and mothers and demanding that the Governor take immediate action to save lives. Among the speakers will be women who served time at Bedford Hills and mothers of currently incarcerated women.