Faith leaders, anti-Rikers advocates hold vigil for lives lost in city jails

Advocates from the Interfaith Center of New York and leaders from religious communities joined in arms to mourn the nine lives lost in custody of the Department of Corrections this year.

News 12 Staff

Jul 7, 2022, 11:44 PM

Updated 898 days ago

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Advocates from the Interfaith Center of New York and leaders from religious communities joined in arms to mourn the nine lives lost in custody of the Department of Corrections this year.
They said they won’t rest until the jail is shut down for good.
“It’s not a policy issue,” said Rabbi Margo Robinson-Hughes, “This is an issue of human rights, this is an issue of human dignity.”
According to a source from the Muslim Community Network, 90% of the people incarcerated are awaiting trial, including the nine who died this year.
Mayor Eric Adams was at Rikers Island today, and after his visit said he will do whatever it takes to support and protect people in custody and the officers.
The city is due back in court in November on its Rikers Action Plan to address the ongoing crisis.