#TSRPositiveImages: As #MothersDay approaches, #NationalBailOut is hard at work trying to reunite families before the big holiday.
The black-led collective, which is working to end systems of mass incarceration, is working with groups all over the country on Mother’s Day to bail out as many black mothers and caregivers as they can.
It doesn’t stop there. Now in its third year, the organization works to provide supportive services and fellowship opportunities for those they bail out as well as organize to end pretrial detention. The movement uses the hashtag #FreeBlackMamas.
“The National Bail Out Collective coordinates the Mama’s Day Bail Outs, where we bail out as many Black Mamas and caregivers as we can so they can spend Mother’s Day with their families where they belong,” National Bail Out says on its website.
The collective is comprised of abolitionist organizers, lawyers and activists, many of whom have been impacted by the system either by being incarcerated themselves or witnessing their families and loved ones be encaged.
“The National Bail Out Collective also provides fellowship and employment opportunities for those we bail out in order to support their growth and create a national community of leaders who have experienced incarceration,” according to the website. “We also work with groups across the country to support ongoing bail reform efforts and create resources for organizers and advocates interested in ending pretrial detention.”
According to National Bail Out, every day, tens of thousands of people remain in jail simply because they cannot afford bail.
“In addition to the over $9 billion wasted to incarcerate people who have been convicted of no crime, pre-trial incarceration has catastrophic impacts on families and communities, on our communities in particular,” according to National Bail Out.
Black people are over two times more likely to be arrested and once arrested are twice as likely to be jailed before trial, according to their website.
“Our LGBTQ and gender nonconforming family are targeted and caged at even more alarming rates, and once in jail are significantly more likely to be sexually and physically abused. The National Bail Out Collective is committed to getting our people free through bail outs, advocacy, and leadership development.”
We applaud National Bail Out’s efforts and hope that multiple families will benefit from their efforts!
TSR STAFF: Christina C! @cdelafresh
