For Immediate Release: 4/26/2014
Contact: Steve O’Neill, EPOCA ● 
(508) 410-7676 ● steve@exprisoners.org
Press Release
Jobs NOT Jails
End Mass Incarceration, Fund Job Creation
April 26th Thousands Will Rally on Boston Common, Calling for Jobs Not Jails
WHAT: On April 26th, an estimated 4,000 voters will gather at the Boston Common Bandstand to call for an end to prison expansion in Massachusetts. The Jobs Not Jails coalition, including over 100 organizations from across the Commonwealth, are demanding that $2 billion be put into creating meaningful, long-term, living wage jobs. The coalition is bringing together organizations of formerly incarcerated people, organized labor, faith-based communities, LGBT organizations and youth groups among others.
WHY: The Patrick Administration estimates that if current criminal justice policies are not changed dramatically, Massachusetts will spend $2 billion in the next seven years to build 10,000 new prison and jail units and $150 million more each year to fill them.
Massachusetts is behind most of the nation on pushing forward criminal justice reforms. According to a recent report published by MassINC , the incarceration rate in Massachusetts has tripled since the 1980’s and the impact of racism within the Massachusetts system is even worse than in other states. According to the report, “The most recent data, published in 2005, revealed that incarceration rates for African-Americans in Massachusetts were eight times higher than for white residents. For Latino/a residents, the state’s incarceration rate was six times higher than for whites”.
Here are details of the event. Go to: www.JobsNotJails.org and #JobsNotJails for more information
WHEN: Saturday, April 26th 1:00pm – 3:00pm
WHO: Speakers will include: Warren Tolman, candidate for Attorney General; Rev. Paul Robeson Ford, Union Baptist Church; CeCe Mcdonald; Manny Gines, Carpenters’ Local 107. Musicians will include: Revolutionary Snake Ensemble; Second Line Brass Band; Local Hip Hop artists TBA.
VISUALS: 4,000 people, banners, signs, speakers. musicians
WHERE: Parkman Bandstand, Boston Common
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