WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley referred to as on Congress to go the Abolition Modification. He was joined by Value Rises and MoveOn, who introduced a petition with over 200,000 signatures from throughout the nation echoing the decision. This occasion occurred simply earlier than Structure Day (September 17) and 157 years after the passage of the thirteenth Modification, which abolished slavery for many. The exception within the thirteenth Modification makes slavery authorized “as punishment for a criminal offense,” forcing predominantly Black and brown folks to work for little to no pay behind jail partitions. It’s time to Finish the Exception and abolish slavery for all.
Watch the occasion right here
“This nation was based on the attractive ideas of equality and justice—ideas which have by no means been suitable with the horrific realities of slavery and white supremacy,” mentioned Senator Merkley). “The loophole in our Structure’s ban on slavery not solely allowed slavery to proceed however launched an period of discrimination and mass incarceration that continues to at the present time. To reside as much as our nation’s promise of justice for all, we should get rid of the Slavery Clause from our Structure. We should go the Abolition Modification.”
“In states throughout this nation, there are folks laboring in jail—in Texas, selecting cotton at a internet loss for the state—as a result of the cruelty is the purpose. In 5 states, incarcerated individuals are not even paid for his or her labor,” mentioned Dyjuan Tatro, #EndTheException advocate and previously incarcerated particular person. “That’s an abomination in the USA of America, and we have to finish slavery—totally, lastly, and with out exception.”
“Because the nation celebrates Structure Day on September 17, we should not overlook that many nonetheless lack the constitutional rights that many people maintain sacred, together with our proper to be shielded from slavery. There are presently a whole lot of 1000’s of incarcerated folks throughout the nation—disproportionately Black and brown—who’re compelled to work inside prisons and jails for little to no pay below the fixed risk of torturous punishment because of the exception within the thirteenth Modification that also permits slavery for use as punishment for crime,” mentioned Value Rises Govt Director Bianca Tylek. “This exception has enabled the criminalization, incarceration, and re-enslavement of Black folks all through historical past. And as we speak, it nonetheless permits those that work in our nation’s prisons and jails to be exploited by a rigged system—one which was designed to prioritize revenue over folks. I hope that individuals take note of the tales of those that have suffered below the exception and that lawmakers transfer urgently to go the Abolition Modification. Together with invoice sponsors Senator Merkley and Congresswoman Williams, we’re calling on Congress to take motion this yr. It’s well past due that our nation’s leaders put an unequivocal finish to slavery for all. Slavery is mistaken, on a regular basis.”
“The truth that prisons in most states are nonetheless capable of pressure labor on incarcerated folks, oftentimes for the revenue of personal firms, is merciless and exploitative. Jail labor is among the worst facets of a legal authorized system that dehumanizes tens of millions of individuals each single day. MoveOn members have been lobbying their members of Congress to finish this antiquated, inhumane apply as soon as and for all,” mentioned MoveOn Marketing campaign Supervisor Arvin Alaigh.
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