Every one of us deserves to have our human rights and dignity respected. But right now, more than 2.3 million people are locked up in prisons, jails, and detention centers, where the dangers of incarceration have multiplied exponentially in this pandemic.
As of March 30, 2021, more than 391,782 people in prison nationwide have tested positive for the coronavirus. Over 2,506 people have died.
Note: This blog has been updated with reports on how AFSC is now working with local partners to provide aid to benefit community members in the long term.
In November, Hurricane Eta devastated Guatemala, causing thousands of people to lose their homes and crops to catastrophic flooding. We reached out to the AFSC community for help, and generous supporters like you responded with compassion, raising more than $35,000 to provide humanitarian relief.
On December 13, 2020 AFSC hosted an interfaith service as part of our #FreeThemAll days of action, Room at the table: An interfaith service in solidarity with our caged and incarcerated loved ones.
Ten months into the pandemic, the dangers of incarceration continue to multiply exponentially, making every cell and cage a potential death chamber.