The People's Press Conference Will Issue Demands To Governor Asa Hutchinson On Behalf Of Incarcerated Arkansans

The People's Press Conference Will Issue Demands To Governor Asa Hutchinson On Behalf Of Incarcerated Arkansans

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, July 1, 2020

For eleven weeks, Governor Asa Hutchinson has controlled the narrative through his daily press conferences. On Monday, June 1, 2020, the people take back the microphone.

In response to the state's lack of action to protect incarcerated individuals, we are demanding that Governor Asa Hutchinson take immediate action to protect our friends, family, and loved ones trapped inside the criminal injustice system.

On July 1, 2020, immediately following Governor Asa Hutchinson's press conference, the people

most impacted by the criminal injustice system will hold their own press conference on the front steps of the Arkansas State Capitol Building. Speakers will include formerly incarcerated advocates Kaleem Nazeem, Laura Berry, and Heidi Widder. Nazeem and Berry will offer some opening remarks and issue a list of demands to Governor Asa Hutchinson. Heidi Widder (released from an ACC facility one week ago) will share her experience, speak to the dehumanization of persons who are being incarcerated, and address the lack of action being taken by the department. Following the press conference, the speakers and others from

partnering organizations will deliver a list of demands to the Governor's office.

The People's Press Conference is a joint effort of the Arkansas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, Arkansas Justice Reform Coalition, Arkansas Poor People's Campaign, decARcerate, and Seeds of Liberation is a weekly attempt to center the voices of those most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, visit www.thepeoplespressconference.org.

For More Information Contact:

Zachary Crow, decARcerate

zachary@decarceratear.org