For Mother's Day, Activists Are Bailing Black Mamas Out of Jail
When women are incarcerated, whole communities suffer. A coalition of organizations wants to help bring them home.
After 45 [Donald Trump] got in office, the movement felt heavy and our goal of liberation seemed further away. When this idea landed on my heart, I shared it with the SONG comrades and we were all inspired," she said. "At SONG we believe that organizing from a place of longing, desire, and love allows for transformation. This action is a love offering, as well as a way to help change the material conditions of black mamas. In the wake of the new neo-fascist government, communities have demanded sanctuary for all people and we have to become sanctuary for each other."
To those not paying close attention, it might appear that the Movement for Black Lives is in a lull in its organizing. But while street protests have decreased, they are still mobilizing at the community and state levels around policy and other changes. The Vision for Black Lives Policy Platform, released by the coalition last year, called for the end of money bail as a short-term reform necessary to dismantle the current, unjust criminal punishment system.
Stahly-Butts, of Law for Black Lives and the policy table, sees the bailout as a powerful opportunity to continue that work. Across the country, in anticipation of the mamas coming home, "people are connecting with faith communities, service providers, and healers to build a web of support that is helping our communities build alternatives to the current system, exercise their collective power, and explore their collective resources," she said.
At the core of the Movement for Black Lives is Assata Shakur's call to love and support one another, explains Hooks. Beyond the hashtag, she says, this is how we fight to make black lives matter. "In making black lives matter, we must love and protect each other. To show our love for the black mamas, in all of our varieties, is... essential," Hooks said.
In making black lives matter, we must love and protect each other.
https://broadly.vice.com/en_us/article/for-mothers-day-activists-are-bailing-black-mamas-out-of-jail
https://nomoremoneybail.org/
