Thursday, July 7th – 10:00 – 11:30 AM EST
The Interfaith Center of New York (ICNY), diverse faith leaders and Campaign to Close Rikers, hosted an “Interfaith Vigil in response to the crisis on Rikers Island” on July 7th, 2022, at the City Hall Park. The Interfaith vigil engaged and educated New Yorkers about the human rights abuses on Rikers Island while calling on Mayor Adams to act swiftly to rectify the untenable situation. ICNY, diverse faith leaders, and Campaign to Close Rikers called on Mayor Adams to acknowledge the humanitarian crisis at Rikers Island, the humanity of people held there, and the city’s responsibility for their well-being.
The event also encouraged support for Commissioner Louis A. Molina to use his powers to release people serving City sentences. Working urgently with judges and district attorneys to release people from the city’s deadly jails, in an effort to stop sending people into conditions where their lives are at great risk. Moreover, rapidly reducing the jail population, can help ensure that those remaining in the jails have access to medical care, programs, out-of-cell group engagement, and other critical services. The vigil urged those in power to move with all possible urgency to close Rikers Island, including advancing the existing closure plans and expediting the closure of the women’s jail.
Coincidentally, Mayor Eric Adams went to Rikers Island same day of the vigil. According to a report from AM New York, it states that Mayor Adams “will do whatever it takes to support and protect people in custody and the officers who work everyday on the island”. Faith leaders were pleased that the vigil caught the attention of Mayor Adams on such pressing issues. Please check out the vigil coverage via Channel News 12. Click on this link for the story. In addition, check out AM New York’s coverage and as well as El Diario’s coverage.
