Join Us for Our Decarcerate and Be Merry Movement Holiday Party

This has been a challenging year for many in our movement family. We lost some dear friends and chosen family, including David “Dawud” Lee, who was a mentor to many of us here at Amistad. We mourned the passing of Joan Sehl and Brenda Harris—family members who fought tirelessly for loved ones behind bars but didn’t live to see them come home. While we were able to support Ezra Bozeman’s plea for compassionate release along with the Abolitionist Law Center, he died a few days after his medical transfer. As a non-profit fighting against state violence with deep roots in Black, Brown, and poor communities, we feel the weight of the looming Trump presidency. We are holding the fears and sorrows of many people in our communities as we close out 2024.

At the same time, we also celebrated the release of one of our deeply beloved community members, Clinton Walker. Legislation that will create parole eligibility for people sentenced to Death By Incarceration for felony murder passed out of the Judiciary Committee. Our case with The Abolitionist Law Center and the Center for Constitutional Rights, arguing DBI for felony murder is unconstitutional, was argued before the PA Supreme Court, and the Justices’ public comments give us reason to feel optimistic about the ruling that will come down in 2025.

Amistad turned 10 years old this year as we moved through these highs and lows. We shared an unforgettable night celebrating our 10-year anniversary with the people who make this work so special. Formerly incarcerated people, family members of folks inside, elected officials, and long-time allies in the fight against mass incarceration gathered at Barber’s Hall in North Philly to celebrate our first decade of work together. You can watch this video from Ghani Songster to get a sense of all we celebrated that night.

We are grateful to have one more opportunity to gather together as a movement family in 2024! We hope you’ll join us next Friday, December 20th for our movement holiday party at Germantown Mennonite Church. We are excited to partner with the Abolitionist Law Center, Straight Ahead, Free the Ballot, and CADBI for a joyful night of food, drinks, music, and dancing. Come celebrate the holiday season and ground yourself in community for the work ahead.