Decarcerate PA

It’s with profound sadness today that we open up our  usual live tweeting of the Board of Pardons merit review, where the Board will rapidly vote on whether or not to give a public hearing to people applying for commutation.

Huge thanks to everyone who came out today to call for an end to Death By Incarceration and demand policies that actually stop violence and heal our communities! #AbolishDBI

RIGHT NOW we are in Harrisburg standing proud for second chances. The time is now to pass geriatric parole, felony murder reform and parole eligibility for lifers so we can reunite families. Second chances make our communities safer. #PassSB835 #PassSB135

In Harrisburg for the CADBI rally. Already met a Free Them to Heal Us member in person

CADBI rally in Harrisburg just getting started #abolishdeathbyincarceration

“We are not here to speak truth to power, because we know the real power is with the people… our hearts have been broken by the loss of loved ones to violence, to death by incarceration, to lack of healthcare. Our hearts are broken but our spirits are strong.” #AbolishDBI

Today we honor those who have come home from prison — so many people now stand on these steps who were behind bars when CADBI began. #AbolishDBI

CADBI is a movement but it’s also a family. Blessings and song honor all the family members who are the backbone of the movement to #AbolishDBI

Eric Vanzant was arrested at 14 and sentenced to life in prison. “Nobody wants to address the trauma. The trauma is prison… who is addressing it? Our family, our loved ones, our supporters are addressing it with us.” #AbolishDBI

Christina Reyes offers powerful testimony on the steps of the state Capitol. #AbolishDBI

Christina Reyes lost multiple family members to gun violence and to Death By Incarceration. “There has been a pandemic on a race of people and a class of people way before COVID, and the vaccine is in the hearts of the people.” #AbolishDBI

Tahnee Lewis sings “We Shall Overcome” at the state Capitol in Harrisburg. Our struggle is long but we will keep rising up in healing and hope until we overcome injustice and bring our loved ones home. #AbolishDBI

“We don’t rehabilitate, we transform…as long as I am alive and have breath in my body, I will advocate for people serving life without parole in Pennsylvania.” —Avis Lee speaks at the rally to #AbolishDBI

“The communities where gun violence is taking place are the communities who most support bringing home lifers.” — @SenSharifStreet #AbolishDBI

“Sending people away with no possibility of returning home isn’t what redemption looks like.” @SenSharifStreet speaks at the rally to #AbolishDBI

“We are fighting for all lifers. We are fighting for our brothers and sisters and sons and daughters. These are our families.” Ed McCrary speaks at the rally to #AbolishDBI

“You cannot have balance unless you redeem the wrong you have done. This is about healing.” — Shabaka at the rally to #AbolishDBI

“When I was in prison and I saw pictures of people fighting out here, I knew they were fighting for me.” Shabaka speaks at the state Capitol at the rally to #AbolishDBI

We are here at the state Capitol kicking off the rally to #AbolishDBI! We know that second chances make our communities safer and it’s time to bring our loved ones home

Folks are already gathering in Philly this morning to get on the bus for the rally to #AbolishDBI! Join us at 1pm on the Capitol steps in Harrisburg or follow along from home at facebook.com/CADBIphilly/