Monday, December 17, 2012

National Call In Day - December 19th - Wednesday!


Join with Decarcerate PA for a statewide call-in day on December 19th to demand that Governor Corbett cancel all new prison construction in 2013!


2013 is fast approaching, and that means its time to make new years resolutions. Unfortunately, some of our elected (and appointed) officials could use a little help! That's why we are asking all of you to give Governor Corbett and Department of Corrections Secretary John Wetzel a call and remind them to add "NO NEW PRISONS" to their resolutions list.  Want to see how its done?  Check out the call-in day promo video (starring Corbett and Wetzel themselves!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GieSfQjgauA 

Right now, Governor Corbett is just breaking ground on two new prisons in Montgomery County. If completed, these prisons will cost $400 million to build and will house 4,100 people. At the same time, the Philadelphia school district has just announced they will close 37 schools this year. Please call Governor Corbett and Secretary Wetzel at the numbers below and ask them to fund schools, not prisons! PA needs more classrooms and fewer prison cells.

Corbett's office - 717-787-2500
Wetzel's office - 717-728-4109

You can also tweet at @GovernorCorbett, or you can write to them at:

Governor Tom Corbett
Room 225
Main Capitol Building

7 Decarcerate Members Arrested!



Seven members of Decarcerate PA set up school desks, banners, and a little red schoolhouse to block the entrance to the prison construction site in Montgomery County.  They then sat at the desks, linking arms and refusing to move or allow construction vehicles onto the sight.  Construction was delayed for over an hour before all seven protesters were arrested and taken away.  The new prisons are being built on the grounds of SCI Graterford in Montgomery County.  If completed, they will cost $400 million and house 4,100 people.  We believe these prisons must be stopped, and that the money should be reinvested in our schools and communities.    

You can see a a video of the action featuring statements from the arrestees here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOTFLCbuP-o

And a statement from Decarcerate PA about the action here: http://decarceratepa.info/content/decarcerate-pa-statement-direct-action-graterford-prison

You can also see more photos HERE, and video of the livestream action HERE.  Or check out ourwebsitefacebook, and twitter for more information.  

The folks who were arrested were charged with three misdemeanors each: Defiant Trespass, Failure of Disorderly Persons to Disperse upon Official Order, and Persistent Disorderly Conduct.  They have all been released on bail.  However, we had to borrow money for bail, and need to pay people back.  We are also anticipating court costs and fees.  So if you can, please consider making a donation to DecarceratePA to help us cover these costs.  You can make a donation HERE, or by going to our website athttp://decarceratepa.info/ and clicking on the “Donate” button.

Please help us spread the word about these actions and forward this along to anyone you think might be interested.

Thank you so much for your support!