Interfaith Witness and Action to Close Rikers
Rikers Island: An Affront to Human Rights
Wednesday, December 10th, 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
At the Interchurch Center, 475 Riverside Drive
Join the Interfaith Center of New York, Union Theological Seminary, the Campaign to Close Rikers, and faith leaders for an interfaith prayer service and panel that demonstrates witness and action to close Rikers. Hear directly from faith leaders, organizers, and people directly impacted by Rikers about the urgent moral and human rights crisis at hand — and learn about the Campaign to Close Rikers and the next steps toward erasing this moral stain on our city.
In response to years of grassroots organizing, New York City passed a historic plan in 2019 to close the Rikers Island jails — a critical step toward ending mass incarceration, advancing racial justice, reinvesting in communities, and building new approaches to safety and accountability.
Yet despite both the moral imperative and the legal requirement to close the Rikers jails by 2027, the plan has faced delays and resistance. Since its passage, more than 60 people have died in New York City jails or immediately following their release. Join us to stand in solidarity, deepen your understanding, and take part in the collective effort to move this work forward.
We have invited Mayor-Elect Mamdani to join us.
Register Here
