Category: Organizing Updates

On behalf of California Latinas for Reproductive Justice (CLRJ), Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF), and California Coalition for Women Prisoners, we are reaching out for your support on AB 1007 (Carrillo). AB 1007 would provide reparations to survivors of forced sterilization under California’s eugenics laws from 1909 to 1979;  and survivors of involuntary sterilizations in women’s state prisons after 1979. Additionally, an outreach and sterilization notification program will be established in consultation with community-based organizations, and markers will be placed at designated sites, raising awareness of the unjust sterilization of thousands of people.

Between 1909 and 1979, California forcibly sterilized 20,000 people in state institutions. It was the most aggressive eugenics sterilizer in the nation, accounting for one-third of the 60,000 sterilizations that were performed nationwide. Although these laws were repealed in 1979, a subsequent state audit revealed that at least an additional 144 people were sterilized during labor and delivery without required consents and authorization in California’s women’s prisons between 2006 and 2010. 

AB 1007 will be heard in the Assembly Public Safety Committee on Tuesday, April 6th at 1:30pm. AB 1007 is the 4th item on the agenda. Please submit a letter of support by Thursday, April 1st by 4:00pm. 

To submit a letter of support

• Use our attached template to draft a support letter
• Submit LOS by Thursday, 4/1 by 4:00pm through the legislative online portal:  https://calegislation.lc.ca.gov/Advocates/
  • Create an account if you do not already have one.
  • Click on “Submit a Letter”
  • Select a bill: AB 3052
  • Select recipient: Public Safety
  • Select Stance: Support, Subject AB 3052, upload your letter, review, and submit.
• Email copies of your letter of support to lorena@clrj.org, cmyers@dredf.org, and aminah@womenprisoners.org 
• Please share widely with your networks!

Dear Supporters, this spring join us every two weeks to take action to free incarcerated survivors by submitting public comment to Governor Gavin Newsom! 

In the last week of #WomensHistoryMonth, please join us on Thurs. March 25th for a Day of Action to Bring Brandy Scott home and #FreeAllSurvivors. We are urging Governor Newsom to grant immediate release for Brandy Scott through a commutation.

Brandy Scott is a 43-year-old Black trans woman and criminalized survivor of domestic violence. She has a 22-year sentence and already served her base term, but is still incarcerated due to a gun enhancement. Like thousands of incarcerated trans and gender nonconforming survivors, Brandy also faces consistent and targeted transphobic violence by prison guards. As deadly COVID-19 outbreaks continue in California prisons, we are concerned for her ongoing safety for the duration of her sentence. Brandy is a beloved friend and long-time member of Survived & Punished and TGI Justice Project, and she deserves healing – not more punishment.

We invite you to join us in calling for Brandy’s release. Please take action on Thurs., March 25:

1. Submit a public comment – instructions here: bit.ly/FreeAllSurvivors
2. Post on social media – sample posts here: bit.ly/FreeAllSurvivors
3. Tap three of your friends to join us as we continue to call to #FreeAllSurvivors, and forward this action to your networks, please!

On Friday, March 12, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom granted Executive Clemency to Rickie Blue-Sky, a 75-year-old Native transgender man who has been incarcerated in California for over 37 years. Blue-Sky is a member of the Coeur d’Alene Schitsu’umsh Tribe in Idaho. Before granting clemency, the Governor’s Office conducted a consultation with elected officials of Blue-Sky’s tribe, who requested his release. Blue-Sky is a beloved family member and community member inside and outside of prison. He has been a mentor and leader in prison for decades and his release has a broad base of support by community organizations, faith community leaders, and scores of people whose lives have been transformed by Blue-Sky’s leadership.

The devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in prisons increased the urgency for Blue-Sky’s release, as he is at high risk for death by COVID-19 due to his age and chronic health issues. Blue-Sky was granted a medical reprieve, allowing him immediate release and the opportunity to receive the healthcare and family and community support he needs. 

Governor Newsom’s clemency grant to Blue-Sky is historic in that he appears to be the first incarcerated transgender person granted clemency by a California Governor. The rate of incarceration for transgender people is 3-4 times higher than average and, while incarcerated, trans people are subjected to discrimination and higher rates of violence. We extend our deepest appreciation to Governor Newsom for this historic decision to grant Blue-Sky clemency and release him to the support of his loving family and community. 

Blue-Sky’s beloved sisters, Avis and Frances, who have not seen him in 40 years, shared, “We lost our mother and our brother in recent years. There’s just the three of us left now in our family. Our mother lived to be 95 and she was hanging onto life in the hopes of seeing Blue-Sky come home. She just couldn’t hang in there any longer. We’ve missed out on a lot and we just want to grow old together with Blue-Sky. We have a lot of catching up to do and we’re ecstatic that at last he’s coming home. Our Coeur d’Alene Tribe stands behind him coming home 100%.” 

Thank you to supporters far and wide who have supported efforts to bring Blue-Sky home! As we celebrate Blue-Sky’s upcoming release, we urge you to support clemency campaigns for beloved trans community members Syiaah Skylit and Brandy Scott.

Transgender Advocacy Group (TAG): 
California Coalition for Women Prisoners (CCWP)
Medina Orthwein LLP 
Prison Law Office (PLO)
The Hill Law Firm
Transgender, Gender Variant, Intersex Justice Project (TGIJP)
TransLatin@ Coalition
Transgender Law Center
Young Women’s Freedom Center

Additional significant support:
Gender Justice LA 
Justice LA
SURJ Bay Area
Survived & Punished
UnCommon Law

Link to online statement: bit.ly/BlueSkyComingHome
Artwork by @micahbazant

This spring, take action every two weeks to free incarcerated survivors by submitting public comment to Governor Gavin Newsom! 

Please join us this Thurs., March 11th for a Day of Action to Bring Stacey Dyer home and #FreeAllSurvivors. We are urging Governor Newsom to grant immediate release for Stacey Dyer through a medical reprieve.

Stacey Dyer is a 41-year-old incarcerated survivor of childhood sexual abuse and severe domestic violence who has been incarcerated for over 19 years. In August 2020, Stacey was diagnosed with endocervical cancer. As deadly COVID-19 outbreaks continue in California prisons, Stacey is at dangerously high medical risk. She is a beloved daughter and community member, and she deserves to be surrounded by her loving family while she heals.

We invite you to join us in calling for Stacey’s release. Please take action on Thur, March 11:

1. Submit a public comment – instructions here: bit.ly/FreeAllSurvivors

2. Post on social media – sample posts here: bit.ly/FreeAllSurvivors

3. Tap three of your friends to join us as we continue to call to #FreeAllSurvivors, and forward this action to your networks, please!

CCWP is continuing the campaign to stop the ICE hold and potential deportation of member Gabriella Solano-Gabby. Gabby served 20 years on an LWOP sentence, was commuted and approved for parole. Gabby is also a survivor of domestic violence.

Gabby Solano faces a transfer to ICE as early as next week. Gabby Solano was attempting to leave an 8 years abusive relationship, but instead was incarcerated for over 20 years for her abuser’s deadly actions. Gabby must be protected & shouldn’t face double punishment on the day of her release!

Survived and Punished has created brand new political education graphics for instagram on what the Biden administration means for criminalized survivors like Gabby. Please share widely!

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• Download and share Gabby’s political education instagram slides here.  Please note the order of slides from 1-7. You can use this sample instagram caption below:
  • Biden’s policies ignore the experience of incarcerated survivors. Survivors like Gabby Solano are criminalized for their survival and defending themselves, who then face additional consequences upon release, such as transfer to ICE detention and potential deportation. Upwards of 90% of people in women’s prisons are survivors of domestic and sexual violence. See slides to learn more about what the Biden administration means for criminalized survivors & take action to #FreeGabby:

– Sign & share petition to #FreeGabby: bit.ly/FreeGabby 

– Advocate with decision makers, President Biden and Governor Newsom: bit.ly/FreeGabbyToolkit 

#ProtectImmigrantSurvivors #StopICEtransfers #100DaysforFreedom