The previously incarcerated and the households of these nonetheless behind bars rallied in Midtown and Albany on Thursday to demand a deep tradition reset in prisons and jails within the aftermath of the Robert Brooks beating as Governor Hochul introduced the arrest of workers concerned within the caught on video assault.
Photograph by Dean Moses
Households of incarcerated New Yorkers and people who beforehand served time themselves rallied in Midtown and Albany on Thursday to demand a deep cultural reset within the prisons and jails of the Empire State.
The decision got here within the wake of the horrific beating loss of life of inmate Robert Brooks in December 2024, and Gov. Kathy Hochul’s announcement on Feb. 20 that workers members concerned within the caught-on-video assault had been arrested.
Brooks’ identify was on the lips and minds of these assembling on 56th Avenue and third Avenue Thursday, whilst their very own previous and current proceed to hang-out them.
Lifting indicators within the form of gravestones inscribed with the names of people who’ve perished whereas in jail, the advocates additional demanded that Governor Hochul fireplace guards throughout upstate amenities who’re making an attempt to go on strike whereas additionally urging a cultural shift and reset.
Lifting indicators within the form of gravestones inscribed with the names of those that have perished whereas serving time, the advocates are demanding Governor Kathy Hochul fireplace guards throughout replace amenities who’re making an attempt to go on strike, urging a tradition shift and reset.Photograph by Dean Moses
“We’re out here in this cold, cold weather to call on our legislatures and the governor to fire every last rogue officer. They don’t deserve to work in our system,” mentioned Anisah Sabur of the Halt Solitary Marketing campaign. “This is the time right now to fire them. Bring on compassionate people who really want to see change in our systems. We need culture change, we need system change, and it starts now.”
Lifting indicators within the form of gravestones inscribed with the names of those that have perished whereas serving time, the advocates are demanding Governor Kathy Hochul fireplace guards throughout replace amenities who’re making an attempt to go on strike, urging a tradition shift and reset.Photograph by Dean Moses
Simply over an hour after the rally, Hochul introduced that the guards who relentlessly beat Brooks usually are not solely being instantly relieved of obligation, they’re additionally being arrested and charged.
“Robert Brooks should be alive today. The brutal attack on Mr. Brooks was sickening, and I immediately moved to terminate the employment of those involved. Now, the perpetrators have been rightfully charged with murder and State Police are making arrests,” Hochul mentioned in a press release. “This incident is a sobering reminder of the challenges facing our correctional system. I’ve worked with Commissioner Martuscello on safety reforms, including installing new security cameras, strengthening the Office of Special Investigations and increasing compensation for our hard-working correction officers.”
Robert Brooks was on the lips and minds of these assembling on 56 Avenue and third Avenue, whilst their very own previous and current continues to hang-out them.Photograph by Dean Moses 
Lifting indicators within the form of gravestones inscribed with the names of those that have perished whereas serving time, the advocates are demanding Governor Kathy Hochul fireplace guards throughout replace amenities who’re making an attempt to go on strike, urging a tradition shift and reset.Photograph by Dean Moses
Former inmates who’ve spent years dwelling within the system exemplified the necessity for change by sharing horror tales of their time on the within.
Jose Hamza Saldana, a former inmate at Sullivan Correctional Facility, mentioned he witnessed the worst of mankind.
“A guy had to be 85 years old,maybe older. He’s coming walking through and the whole side of his face is puffy red. A sergeant asked ‘what happened to your face?’ And he didn’t answer. He said: ‘I asked you a question. What happened to your face?’ He looked at the CO ans he said, ‘he hit me.’ ‘Why did he hit you?’ Because I was walking too slow,’ Saldana said. “We’re here to really uplift this history of murder and brutality in the system.”
