People Are Bailing Out Inmates From New York City's Biggest Jail, Where The Coronavirus Outbreak Is Skyrocketing [buzzfeednews.com]

Rafael Maravilla(PACEs Connection Staff) 4/1/204:00 AM

By Dominic Holden, BuzzFeed News, March 30, 2020

While coronavirus infections in New York City’s largest jail have skyrocketed to nearly 10 times the rate of the city’s residents overall — according to one legal organization’s analysis — a grassroots crowdfunding campaign has been bailing out the Rikers Island inmates.

The Emergency Release Fund, a group of organizers and activists in New York, has raised $18,000 since March 23 and freed five inmates in the last three days, Alex Tereshonkova, a member of the group, told BuzzFeed News on Monday. The average donation is $20.

“They haven't been convicted of crimes,” said Tereshonkova, who pointed out that the inmates eligible for cash bail still have yet to receive a court trial. This month, New York suspended new trials indefinitely. “These people being detained are innocent until proven guilty. They have the same right to live that we do.”

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