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“Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival” 13 dead in WV Jails, we need answers

March 1, 2023 by Jonathan Leave a Comment

Neither poverty nor prison should be a death sentence.

“People are dying over misdemeanors. A lot of these laws are made against the poor people in West Virginia.” – Pam Garrison, Tri-Chair of West Virginia Poor People’s Campaign

13 people have died in the Southern Regional Jail in Beckley, West Virginia, in the last year. The mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters of those who died senselessly while under the watch of the state prison system need answers. We cannot allow Senator Manchin and Governor Justice to keep ignoring the injustices unfolding on their watch. The Department of Justice must expedite and ensure the full independence of a Federal civil rights investigation. We will not back down until our cries are answered.

Southern Regional Jail is notoriously plagued by chronic understaffing, neglect, and overcrowding – conditions which are harsh, inhumane and have resulted in a 13-fold increase in deaths since 2018. A 2021 investigation into the jail purported that allegations made by inmates over the inhumane conditions were “unfounded”. Yet, since the conclusion of the inadequate investigation into the facility, 13 more inmates were found dead in the jail and dozens more investigations have gone uncompleted.

Sign our petition to demand the Department of Justice expedite and ensure a FULL federal civil rights investigation into the conditions in West Virginia’s jails.

No arrest should result in death, yet hundreds of families must not only grapple with the death of their loved ones but seek answers for their jarring, oftentimes violent deaths. Arrested for bailable fines but unable to pay, this attack on poor people leaves no room for dignity as daughters, such as Miranda Smith, who spoke at the WV Poor People’s Campaign press conference last week. Miranda had to bury her father after receiving the news that after a mere 19 days, her father “suddenly passed” despite heavy internal bleeding.  

Quantez Burks was unfairly jailed over a mere traffic violation, unable to pay bail, and left to suffer mistreatment and ultimately death. A traffic violation resulted in a violent death of broken bones, blunt force, and a heart attack. This horrific reality was made worse when his family was lied to by the prison. The cycle of violence against the poor, and marginalized communities, must end and we need the full power of a Federal civil rights investigation.

Countless low-income West Virginians of all races have died under the watch of the state prison system. In West Virginia, 40% of residents are poor or low-income (710,000 people). This includes 187,000 children (50%), 402,000 women (44%), 30,000 Black people (51%), 13,0000 LatinX people (55%), and 689,0000 White people (42%).

“Frankly this is an urgent crisis. This is an outrage.” – Attorney Kat Roblez, Forward Justice

Help the dear mothers, fathers, and families left in the dark seek justice for their loved ones. Join us calling on Senator Manchin and Governor Justice to ensure a Department of Justice investigation of these immoral and shameful acts before we lose another citizen.

We call on you to stand with the people of West Virginia. We won’t be silent anymore.

Forward together, not one step back,

The West Virginia Poor People’s Campaign and Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival

Filed Under: National Allies, Organizing

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Join WRAP on Tuesday, July 22 on zoom at 3pm pt | Join WRAP on Tuesday, July 22 on zoom at 3pm pt | 4 pm mt | 6 pm et for a training on the different methodologies, context and implementation of street outreach! There will be examples from WRAP members who represent organizations in different states who have been fighting back against criminalization and sweeps in their communities.
Accountable organizing through street outreach! 

With sweeps and fascist policing/immigration tactics ramping up all over the country, we must make sure our initiatives to fight them are informed by, come from and are supported by the people who are directly impacted!!! 

Street outreach is how we do this! 

📣 WRAP : STREET OUTREACH TRAINING 
🗓️ Tuesday, July 22 | 🕒 3pm PT | 4pm MT | 6pm ET
🎟️ RSVP : bit.ly/wrapoutreach 
✉️ Contact joemae@wraphome.org for any questions

Read More: https://conta.cc/3ZXkCxS
Last year, on April 22nd, I stood with over 700 pe Last year, on April 22nd, I stood with over 700 people from around the country in front of the US Supreme Court demanding that the court focus on proven solutions to homelessness like housing, and not on things like handcuffs and jails that make homelessness worse. Months later, SCOTUS shamefully decided that homeless people are not included in the Constitution’s protections against cruel and unusual punishment and could be ticketed or arrested for simply sleeping outside. https://conta.cc/44m9rjl
The city continues to sneak in their sweeps of our The city continues to sneak in their sweeps of our friends and neighbors to nowhere. They sneak their sweeps in and hope those that care and give a sh&! against this violence won’t show up. We will do all we can to challenge this and won’t let the city block us from the community care they are afraid of.

Join us for a virtual gathering to learn how to show up, how to build community care. July 10th from 7-8:30pm. DM us for more info.

#sweepskill #fucksweeps #stopthesweeps #stoptheharrellhorrorshow #communitycare #showup
🏠Housing is a human right, and it is about time 🏠Housing is a human right, and it is about time our communities actually accept this!

On June 28th 2024, Grants Pass v Johnson was overturned (a case that had required cities to not criminalize the unhoused if adequate shelter was not provided by the city). On June 28th from 10am-12pm, we are asking our community to gather on the Missoula Courthouse lawn to show our city that we don’t support the ways they are criminalizing unhoused Missoulians. 📣

After the rally, from 12-2pm we will hear from various local organizations that are impacted and addressing this issue in our community. 🫂 From those working in the legal system to renters to mutual aid groups, our entire community is impacted by the overturning of Grants Pass v Johnson, the closure of the Johnson Street shelter, and the criminalization of unhoused Missoulians. Municipal elections are coming up this year and it is critical that we show city council where our priorities lie.
The Sovereign Roses Virtual Alumni Chapter invites The Sovereign Roses Virtual Alumni Chapter invites you to WRAP with the Roses! Learn more about the Western Regional Advocacy Project (WRAP) and a potential Project I.M.P.A.C.T area we’re exploring. WRAP is dedicated to ending homelessness and poverty by uplifting the voices of those directly impacted and advocating for systemic change rooted in justice and equity.
Discover why WEE believe that partnering with WRAP is a powerful step toward making a real, sustainable difference in our communities.

📅 Date: June 30

🕔 Time: 5:52 PM CST

📍 Zoom:
Meeting ID: 98812438845
Code: 567524

🌐 Learn more about WRAP: www.wraphome.org (http://www.wraphome.org/)

Together, we can push for change, challenge injustice, and build impact that lasts. Don’t miss this opportunity to get informed and get involved!

#GammaSigmaSigma #ServiceSorority #SRVAC #WRAP #Projectimpact #GSS #SFE #ServiceFriendshipEquailty
June 28th marks the One Year Anniversary of the Su June 28th marks the One Year Anniversary of the Supreme Court making it illegal to be homeless. Join me in the fight to push back! Helen Cruz
June 28 4-7pm | Echo Park Lake, LA for more inform June 28 4-7pm | Echo Park Lake, LA
for more information: @lacanetwork_official
Instagram post 18073374346940611 Instagram post 18073374346940611
City Council Vote on Salvation Army Shelter Contra City Council Vote on Salvation Army Shelter Contract TODAY Monday 

The City Council is set to vote on renewing the Salvation Army’s contract to run Crossroads shelter today (Monday), and then set to discuss renewing their contract to run the Doubletree on Wednesday. 

Read More: https://wraphome.org/2025/06/16/denver-co-city-council-vote-on-salvation-army-shelter-contract-today-monday/
Since SCOTUS allowed cities to arrest and ticket p Since SCOTUS allowed cities to arrest and ticket people for experiencing homelessness a year ago, 250+ anti-homeless bills have been introduced across the US.
Join us June 17 w/ to discuss how we're fighting back. RSVP: https://buff.ly/1NFKz9F
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