TAKE ACTION

What To Do Each Day

• Post the sample tweet for the day with leadership tagged.

• Call and email Governor Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, and Assembly Speaker Heastie (see contact information below).

• Find your own legislators on this list and substitute their twitter handles into the sample tweet to send another tweet @ them, and make calls and emails to them.

• If you have been incarcerated or had a family member inside, consider if you would be interested in creating and posting a simple 30 second video of yourself urging Governor Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, and Assembly Speaker Heastie to address the racist state violence in and of New York prisons as well as in the street.

Contact Information of Political Leaders:

• Your Legislator:
  Find who your legislators are at: https://openstates.org/find_your_legislator/
  Once you find them, use this list for twitter handles and other contact info.

• Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins:
  Twitter handle: @AndreaSCousins
  Phone: 518-455-2585
  Email: scousins@nysenate.gov

• Assembly Speaker Heastie:
  Twitter handle: @CarlHeastie
  Phone: 518-455-3791
  Email: Speaker@nyassembly.gov

• Governor Andrew Cuomo:
  Twitter handle: @NYGovCuomo
  Phone: 518-474-8390
  Email: use this contact form: https://www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form

Sample Tweets, Calls, and Emails By Date

SAMPLE TWEET AND IMAGE TO START THIS EFFORT AND THROUGHOUT:

NY lawmakers are discussing their response to racist state violence against Black people and the uprising to end it. @NYGovCuomo @AndreaSCousins @CarlHeastie must not ignore people being brutalized and tortured to death in prison. Pass #HALTsolitary #FreeOurElders #Repeal50a

SAMPLE CALL/EMAIL SCRIPT:

If an email use the subject line: HALT Solitary and Free Our Elders NOW!

“Hello, my name is [insert name here] [if you are a constituent state ‘I am a constituent’]. As you consider measures to address racist state violence, we are urging you to address the racist killing of Black, Latinx, and Native people in prison, including by at a minimum passing the HALT Solitary Confinement Act (S1623/A2500), Elder Parole (S2144/A9040), and Fair and Timely Parole (S497A/A4346A), in addition to the full repeal of 50-a. Today, I wanted to tell you about Dante Taylor, a 22-year-old young Black man who spent months in solitary confinement, then was brutally beaten by officers to the point of being unrecognizable, hogtied and thrown down the stairs. Dante was then left alone and reportedly died by suicide. We urge you to address systemic racism and violence across New York’s injustice system, in addition to policing reforms. Thank you.”

Wednesday, June 3

SAMPLE TWEET AND IMAGE:

Dante Taylor spent months in solitary confinement, was brutalized by guards, & died by suicide. @NYGovCuomo @AndreaSCousins @CarlHeastie must not ignore racist state violence against Black people in prison. Pass #HALTsolitary #FreeOurElders #Repeal50a. https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-wende-prison-suicide-suit-20200224-6yxv73a65vhzpjnosiqalkbel4-story.html

SAMPLE CALL/EMAIL SCRIPT:

If an email use the subject line: HALT Solitary and Free Our Elders NOW!

“Hello, my name is [insert name here] [if you are a constituent state ‘I am a constituent’]. As you consider measures to address racist state violence, we are urging you to address the racist killing of Black, Latinx, and Native people in prison, including by at a minimum passing the HALT Solitary Confinement Act (S1623/A2500), Elder Parole (S2144/A9040), and Fair and Timely Parole (S497A/A4346A), in addition to the full repeal of 50-a. Today, I wanted to tell you about Dante Taylor, a 22-year-old young Black man who spent months in solitary confinement, then was brutally beaten by officers to the point of being unrecognizable, hogtied and thrown down the stairs. Dante was then left alone and reportedly died by suicide. We urge you to address systemic racism and violence across New York’s injustice system, in addition to policing reforms. Thank you.”

Thursday, June 4

SAMPLE TWEET AND IMAGE:

Lulu Benson-Seay, an immuno-compromised DV survivor, was denied clemency and died of COVID behind bars. @NYGovCuomo @AndreaSCousins @CarlHeastie must not ignore racist state violence against Black people in prison. #FreeOurElders #HALTsolitary #Repeal50a. https://newrepublic.com/article/157589/death-survivor

SAMPLE CALL/EMAIL SCRIPT:

If an email use the subject line: HALT Solitary and Free Our Elders NOW!

“Hello, my name is [insert name here] [if you are a constituent state ‘I am a constituent’]. As you consider measures to address racist state violence, we are urging you to address the racist killing of Black, Latinx, and Native people in prison, including by at a minimum passing Elder Parole (S2144/A9040), Fair and Timely Parole (S497A/A4346A), and the HALT Solitary Confinement Act (S1623/A2500), in addition to the full repeal of 50-a. Today, I wanted to tell you about Lulu Benson-Seay. Lulu was a survivor of physical and sexual abuse. She was severely immuno-compromised with major life-threatening health conditions. She was denied clemency and just before her 62nd birthday she passed away of COVID-19. We urge you to address systemic racism and violence across New York’s injustice system, in addition to policing reforms. Thank you.”

Friday, June 5

SAMPLE TWEET AND IMAGE:

Samuel Harrell was tortured in solitary and beaten & stomped to death by guards' all-white "beat-up squad" shouting epithets. @NYGovCuomo @AndreaSCousins @CarlHeastie must stop racist state violence against Black people in prison. Pass #HALTsolitary #FreeOurElders #Repeal50a

SAMPLE CALL/EMAIL SCRIPT:

If an email use the subject line: HALT Solitary and Free Our Elders NOW!

“Hello, my name is [insert name here] [if you are a constituent state ‘I am a constituent’]. As you consider measures to address racist state violence, we are urging you to address the racist killing of Black, Latinx, and Native people in prison, including by at a minimum passing the HALT Solitary Confinement Act (S1623/A2500), Elder Parole (S2144/A9040), and Fair and Timely Parole (S497A/A4346A), in addition to the full repeal of 50-a. Today, I wanted to tell you about Samuel Harrell, a 30-year-old Black man who had a severe mental illness. Sam was tortured in solitary confinement and then in the midst of a mental health episode after being discharged from solitary, he was brutally beaten, thrown down the stairs, and killed by an all-white beat-up squad of officers who reportedly called him a “f*ng “n***r”. We urge you to address systemic racism and violence across New York’s injustice system, in addition to policing reforms. Thank you.”

Saturday, June 6

SAMPLE TWEET AND IMAGE:

Kalief Browder died 5 years ago today. As a child, he was tortured in solitary confinement for years and brutalized by guards. @NYGovCuomo @AndreaSCousins @CarlHeastie must stop racist state violence against Black people behind bars. Pass #HALTsolitary #FreeOurElders #Repeal50a

Sunday, June 7

SAMPLE TWEET:

Layleen Polanco died in solitary one year ago today. Jailed for alleged sex work, which shouldn't be criminalized. @NYGovCuomo @AndreaSCousins @CarlHeastie must end racist state violence against Black people in prison. Pass #HALTsolitary. #FreeThemAll. Repeal #WalkingWhileTrans

Monday, June 8

SAMPLE TWEET AND IMAGE:

Grandfather Benjamin Smalls was denied clemency after two decades in prison. He died at 72 with COVID. @NYGovCuomo @AndreaSCousins @CarlHeastie must not ignore racist state violence against Black people in prison. #FreeOurElders #HALTsolitary #Repeal50a. https://www.nydailynews.com/coronavirus/ny-coronavirus-new-york-medical-parole-20200507-i7tr6ginbnfupizijzp5lmykjm-story.html

SAMPLE CALL/EMAIL SCRIPT:

If an email use the subject line: HALT Solitary and Free Our Elders NOW!

“Hello, my name is [insert name here] [if you are a constituent state ‘I am a constituent’]. As you consider measures to address racist state violence, we are urging you to address the racist killing of Black, Latinx, and Native people in prison, including by at a minimum passing Elder Parole (S2144/A9040), Fair and Timely Parole (S497A/A4346A), and the HALT Solitary Confinement Act (S1623/A2500), in addition to the full repeal of 50-a. Today, I wanted to tell you about Benjamin Smalls. Benjamin was a father, grandfather, and mentoring elder. He spent over 20 years in prison. He was denied clemency despite his serious health issues. He died at age 72 with COVID-19. We urge you to address systemic racism and violence across New York’s injustice system, in addition to policing reforms. Thank you.”

Tuesday, June 9

SAMPLE TWEET AND IMAGE:

Ben van Zandt, who had a severe mental illness and was incarcerated as a teenager, was tortured to death in solitary confinement. @NYGovCuomo @AndreaSCousins @CarlHeastie must stop the racist state violence of NY prisons. Pass #HALTsolitary #FreeOurElders #Repeal50a.

SAMPLE CALL/EMAIL SCRIPT:

If an email use the subject line: HALT Solitary and Free Our Elders NOW!

“Hello, my name is [insert name here] [if you are a constituent state ‘I am a constituent’]. As you consider measures to address racist state violence, we are urging you to address the racist killing of Black, Latinx, and Native people in prison, including by at a minimum passing the HALT Solitary Confinement Act (S1623/A2500), Elder Parole (S2144/A9040), and Fair and Timely Parole (S497A/A4346A), in addition to the full repeal of 50-a. Today, I wanted to tell you about Ben van Zandt. Ben had a severe mental illness and was incarcerated as a teenager. Ben was tortured to death in solitary confinement. He feared for his life after witnessing guards brutalize another incarcerated person. He died in solitary after only 10 days. We urge you to address systemic racism and violence across New York’s injustice system, in addition to policing reforms. Thank you.”

Wednesday, June 10

SAMPLE TWEET AND IMAGE:

Leonard Carter, 60, was granted parole and awaiting release, but excluded from early COVID release. He died of COVID. @NYGovCuomo @AndreaSCousins @CarlHeastie must not ignore racist state violence against Black people in prison. #FreeOurElders #HALTsolitary #Repeal50a

SAMPLE CALL/EMAIL SCRIPT:

If an email use the subject line: HALT Solitary and Free Our Elders NOW!

“Hello, my name is [insert name here] [if you are a constituent state ‘I am a constituent’]. As you consider measures to address racist state violence, we are urging you to address the racist killing of Black, Latinx, and Native people in prison, including by at a minimum passing Elder Parole (S2144/A9040), Fair and Timely Parole (S497A/A4346A), and the HALT Solitary Confinement Act (S1623/A2500), in addition to the full repeal of 50-a. Today, I wanted to tell you about Leonard Carter. Leonard was a brother, father, and grandfather. He spent over a quarter of a century in prison. He was granted parole earlier this year and scheduled to come home on May 26. Although he was so close to being released, he was categorically excluded from the Governor’s COVID release plan based on his crime of conviction. He died at age 60 with COVID-19. We urge you to address systemic racism and violence across New York’s injustice system, in addition to policing reforms. Thank you.”

Thursday, June 11

SAMPLE TWEET:

John McMillon was beaten & strangled to death by prison guards in NY. People who reported it were locked in solitary confinement. @NYGovCuomo @AndreaSCousins @CarlHeastie must stop racist state violence in prison.  #HALTsolitary #FreeOurElders #Repeal50a. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/24/nyregion/prison-guards-john-mcmillon.html

SAMPLE CALL/EMAIL SCRIPT:

If an email use the subject line: HALT Solitary and Free Our Elders NOW!

“Hello, my name is [insert name here] [if you are a constituent state ‘I am a constituent’]. As you consider measures to address racist state violence, we are urging you to address the racist killing of Black, Latinx, and Native people in prison, including by at a minimum passing the HALT Solitary Confinement Act (S1623/A2500), Elder Parole (S2144/A9040), and Fair and Timely Parole (S497A/A4346A), in addition to the full repeal of 50-a. Today, I wanted to tell you about John McMillon. John was 67-years-old and had severe mental health needs. He was brutally beaten and strangled to death by officers in a New York prison. The people who were incarcerated who reported what they witnessed were locked in solitary confinement. We urge you to address systemic racism and violence across New York’s injustice system, in addition to policing reforms. Thank you.”

Friday, June 12

SAMPLE TWEET:

Juan Mosquero died with COVID-19 on 3/30. Since then, there has been a surge of deaths; over 80% have been People of Color. @NYGovCuomo @AndreaSCousins @CarlHeastie must not ignore racist state violence in prison. #FreeOurElders #HALTsolitary #Repeal50a https://www.nydailynews.com/coronavirus/ny-coronavirus-prison-deaths-blacks-disproportionate-20200514-xjk4v5wowrhrfpiil5gevbgyui-story.html

SAMPLE CALL/EMAIL SCRIPT:

If an email use the subject line: HALT Solitary and Free Our Elders NOW!

“Hello, my name is [insert name here] [if you are a constituent state ‘I am a constituent’]. As you consider measures to address racist state violence, we are urging you to address the racist killing of Black, Latinx, and Native people in prison, including by at a minimum passing Elder Parole (S2144/A9040), Fair and Timely Parole (S497A/A4346A), and the HALT Solitary Confinement Act (S1623/A2500), in addition to the full repeal of 50-a. Today, I wanted to tell you about Juan Mosquero. He was 58-years-old and he died with COVID-19 on March 30. He was the first reported person to die with COVID-19 in NY prisons. Since his death, there has been a surge of deaths, and 80% of those who have died have been People of Color (59% of those who died were Black people). We urge you to address systemic racism and violence across New York’s injustice system, in addition to policing reforms. Thank you.”

Monday, June 15

SAMPLE TWEET:

Karl Taylor, brutally beaten by officers, died of a chokehold that broke bones in his neck and blocked blood to his brain. @NYGovCuomo @AndreaSCousins @CarlHeastie must stop racist state violence in prison. Pass #HALTsolitary #FreeOurElders #Repeal50a: https://www.themarshallproject.org/2020/02/28/karl-taylor-died-in-a-new-york-prison-now-the-state-has-agreed-to-pay-millions

SAMPLE CALL/EMAIL SCRIPT:

If an email use the subject line: HALT Solitary and Free Our Elders NOW!

“Hello, my name is [insert name here] [if you are a constituent state I am a constituent]. As you consider measures to address racist state violence, we are urging you to address the racist killing of Black, Latinx, and Native people in prison, including by at a minimum passing the HALT Solitary Confinement Act (S1623/A2500), Elder Parole (S2144/A9040), and Fair and Timely Parole (S497A/A4346A), in addition to the full repeal of 50-a. Today, I wanted to tell you about Karl Taylor. Karl had a severe mental illness. He was brutally beaten by correction officers and died of a chokehold that broke bones in his neck, cut off blood to his brain, and cut off air to his body. We urge you to address systemic racism and violence across New York’s injustice system, in addition to policing reforms. Thank you.”

Tuesday, June 16

SAMPLE TWEET:

Willard "Doc" Hughes had spent 40 years in prison and been repeatedly denied parole. He died with COVID-19 at age 79. @NYGovCuomo @AndreaSCousins @CarlHeastie must not ignore racist state violence against Black people in prison. #FreeOurElders #HALTsolitary #Repeal50a

SAMPLE CALL/EMAIL SCRIPT:

If an email use the subject line: HALT Solitary and Free Our Elders NOW!

“Hello, my name is [insert name here] [if you are a constituent state I am a constituent]. As you consider measures to address racist state violence, we are urging you to address the racist killing of Black, Latinx, and Native people in prison, including by at a minimum passing Elder Parole (S2144/A9040), Fair and Timely Parole (S497A/A4346A), and the HALT Solitary Confinement Act (S1623/A2500), in addition to the full repeal of 50-a. Today, I wanted to tell you about Willard “Doc” Hughes. He had spent 40 years in prison and been repeatedly denied parole. He died at age 79 with COVID-19. We urge you to address systemic racism and violence across New York’s injustice system, in addition to policing reforms. Thank you.”

Wednesday, June 17

SAMPLE TWEET:

Cachin Anderson, who had severe mental health needs, was tortured to death in solitary confinement.  @NYGovCuomo @AndreaSCousins @CarlHeastie must stop racist state violence against Black people in prison. Pass #HALTsolitary #FreeOurElders #Repeal50a: https://apnews.com/d9bfc9f8996f336ea068462329a51fff

SAMPLE CALL/EMAIL SCRIPT:

If an email use the subject line: HALT Solitary and Free Our Elders NOW!

“Hello, my name is [insert name here] [if you are a constituent state I am a constituent]. As you consider measures to address racist state violence, we are urging you to address the racist killing of Black, Latinx, and Native people in prison, including by at a minimum passing the HALT Solitary Confinement Act (S1623/A2500), Elder Parole (S2144/A9040), and Fair and Timely Parole (S497A/A4346A), in addition to the full repeal of 50-a. Today, I wanted to tell you about Cachin Anderson. Cachin had severe mental health needs and in the final two months of his life displayed behavior clearly showing he needed help, such as climbing on a sink and diving head first to the floor. He was locked in solitary and he died by suicide there. We urge you to address systemic racism and violence across New York’s injustice system, in addition to policing reforms. Thank you.”

Thursday, June 18

SAMPLE TWEET:

Valerie Gaiter, the longest imprisoned woman in NY, was locked up 40 years and denied clemency. She died of untreated esophageal cancer. @NYGovCuomo @AndreaSCousins @CarlHeastie must not ignore racist state violence against Black people in prison. #FreeOurElders #HALTsolitary

SAMPLE CALL/EMAIL SCRIPT:

If an email use the subject line: HALT Solitary and Free Our Elders NOW!

“Hello, my name is [insert name here] [if you are a constituent state I am a constituent]. As you consider measures to address racist state violence, we are urging you to address the racist killing of Black, Latinx, and Native people in prison, including by at a minimum passing Elder Parole (S2144/A9040), Fair and Timely Parole (S497A/A4346A), and the HALT Solitary Confinement Act (S1623/A2500), in addition to the full repeal of 50-a. Today, I wanted to tell you about Valeie Gaiter. She spent 40 years in prison. She transformed her life and was a mentor to hundreds of women. She was denied clemency. She had esophageal cancer that went untreated and she died last year at age 61.. We urge you to address systemic racism and violence across New York’s injustice system, in addition to policing reforms. Thank you.”

Friday, June 19

SAMPLE TWEET:

At least six people were tortured to death in solitary confinement in NY prisons in 2019. @NYGovCuomo @AndreaSCousins @CarlHeastie must stop racist state violence against Black people in prison. Pass #HALTsolitary #FreeOurElders #Repeal50a: http://nycaic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/The-Walls-Are-Closing-In-On-Me_For-Distribution.pdf.

SAMPLE CALL/EMAIL SCRIPT:

If an email use the subject line: HALT Solitary and Free Our Elders NOW!

“Hello, my name is [insert name here] [if you are a constituent state I am a constituent]. As you consider measures to address racist state violence, we are urging you to address the racist killing of Black, Latinx, and Native people in prison, including by at a minimum passing the HALT Solitary Confinement Act (S1623/A2500), Elder Parole (S2144/A9040), and Fair and Timely Parole (S497A/A4346A), in addition to the full repeal of 50-a. Have you seen the #HALTsolitary campaign’s new report on suicide and solitary confinement? Someone attempts a suicide in NY prisons almost every other day, and suicide attempt rates are 12 times higher in solitary confinement. In 2019, a record-high 18 people died by suicide in NY prisons, and at least 33% occurred in solitary confinement. We urge you to address systemic racism and violence across New York’s injustice system, in addition to policing reforms. Thank you.”

Monday, June 22

SAMPLE TWEET:

Terry Cooper, a 25-year-old Black man, was beaten by officers and then denied medical care in a NY prison. He died as a result. @NYGovCuomo @AndreaSCousins @CarlHeastie must stop racist state violence against Black people in prison. Pass #HALTsolitary #FreeOurElders #Repeal50a

SAMPLE CALL/EMAIL SCRIPT:

If an email use the subject line: HALT Solitary and Free Our Elders NOW!

“Hello, my name is [insert name here] [if you are a constituent state I am a constituent]. As you consider measures to address racist state violence, we are urging you to address the racist killing of Black, Latinx, and Native people in prison, including by at a minimum passing the HALT Solitary Confinement Act (S1623/A2500), Elder Parole (S2144/A9040), and Fair and Timely Parole (S497A/A4346A), in addition to the full repeal of 50-a. I wanted to talk to you about Terry Cooper. Terry was  a 25-year-old Black man who died after being seriously beaten by officers in a New York prison and then denied basic medical care. We urge you to address systemic racism and violence across New York’s injustice system, in addition to policing reforms. Thank you.”

Follow the RAPP Campaign on twitter for updates throughout the day: @RAPPCampaign.