Dear ,
During the holidays, I can’t help but reflect on our community members who are violently separated from their loved ones due to incarceration. As a State Rep in Massachusetts, it is my responsibility to fight on behalf of and alongside people who are harmed by the state. As many of us take time this week to unwind, reflect, and spend time with family and friends, I’m reaching out to you all to ask you to take action for individuals and families who cannot be with their loved ones this holiday season.
Content warning: state violence and racism
Shacoby Kenny died after being brutally beaten by 15-20 officers while handcuffed at South Bay House of Correction, according to a former detainee. Despite multiple demands for transparency, no video footage has been released and the officers involved continue to work business as usual. He was just 32 years old, presumed innocent, and held on $2,500 cash bail.
Eyewitnesses say he was restrained, beaten, and choked by officers and left for 30 minutes to an hour before anyone attempted to perform CPR. We hold immense concern and fear for witnesses who risk retaliation and retribution, and despite that, they have bravely spoken out: “His eyes roll over and he dead and they was still hitting him, it was bad. They didn’t have to do 'em like that.” “He ask them to stop he can’t breathe and they told him to shut the fuck up. His last words was pray for me” |
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This is not an isolated incident. It is the latest of a horrific pattern of neglect, violence, and systemic failure in MA jails and prisons that has continued due to lack of oversight, accountability, and transparency. At South Bay alone, Ayesha Johnson and five other individuals died recently while in custody. Ayesha was a mother of two, civilly committed for the treatment of alcohol use disorder, and spent more than an hour lying on the floor unresponsive before staff responded.
Nearly all individuals incarcerated in jail are either being held on cash bail or are civilly committed for challenges they are facing with mental health or substance use. In contrast, Sheriff Steven Tompkins is currently facing federal charges of extortion, presumably fortunate enough to pay bail as he awaits his trial.
Shacoby Kenny should have been home this holiday season and if he had been able to pay $2,500, he would have been. Shacoby deserved to live. His family described him as a busy, inquisitive child with a bright smile and personality that drew people in. Those closest to him knew Coby to be deeply sensitive, protective of his family, forgiving by nature, and capable of loving fiercely and wholeheartedly. Please read his beautiful obituary that his family wrote in his memory and please donate to support Shacoby’s family for funeral expenses.
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I ask everyone reading this to please take a moment during this precious time to take action on behalf of Shacoby, his family, and everyone who is violently separated from their families this holiday. We need our community to take collective action. -
Ask all of your elected officials to make a public statement immediately demanding an investigation by AG Campbell’s office and to call on the officers involved to be immediately suspended. I’m grateful to my sisters and brothers in service Senator Liz Miranda, Rep Chris Worrell, and Councilors Brian Worrell and Henry Santana for speaking out already and many of them for going to South Bay immediately following Shacoby’s death.
- Demand that mental health services be made available to those who have been affected by Shacoby’s death
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Tell your lawmakers and the Governor that we must overhaul the use of cash bail and pretrial release and detention in Massachusetts. Researchers found that prior attempts at bail reform overwhelmingly benefited white people in Massachusetts. Your freedom should not depend on your wealth or race.
You can find a full action alert here. |
Event updates
Holiday Party
Thank you to everyone who braved the cold to join my holiday event last week. Being in community with you all inspires me every day and I couldn’t do this work without you! |
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Wonderful Winter Wonderland Party
Thank you Mystic Tenants Association for putting on this winter wonderland party! It was so great to see everyone! |
Star Market Demo Party
Community members gathered at Winter Hill Brewing Company to watch the abandoned Star Market finally be torn down. After nearly 20 years, it is being replaced by a new six-story multi-use development with 136 affordable rental units. |
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Thank you to everyone for taking action and engaging with this heartbreaking reality faced by so many of our community members. Everyone deserves to be safe and home with their family and friends during the holidays.
I will continue to fight for a world that keeps all families together. Sincerely, Erika |
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