On Thursday, racial justice groups began bailing women out of jail as part of a nationwide “Black Mama’s Bail Out Day.” The effort, taking place in nearly 20 cities, raises money to free as many black women from jail as possible in time for a Mother’s Day celebration with their families. Organizers for Black Mama’s Bail Out Day are calling for an end to the cash bail system, which keeps hundreds of thousands of people who have not been convicted of any crime imprisoned in jails every day nationwide while they await trial. For more, we speak with Mary Hooks, co-director of Southerners On New Ground, or SONG, an Atlanta-based regional LGBTQ nonprofit and one of the organizers of Black Mama’s Bail Out Day.
TRANSCRIPT
AMY GOODMAN: This Sunday, Mother’s Day, will be a lot happier for scores of women across the country. On Thursday, racial justice groups began bailing out women out of jail as part of a nationwide Black Mama’s Bail Out Day. The effort, taking place in nearly 20 cities, raises money to bail out as many black women from jail as possible in time for a Mother’s Day celebration with their families. This is a clip from the campaign video announcing the project.
RUTH JEANNOEL: Our corrupt criminal justice system forces innocent people, who pose no threat, to purchase their freedom. The costs are devastating. Women oftentimes lose their homes, jobs or even children, just to be found innocent. Some women, like Sandra Bland, have even lost their lives. Thousands of families go through this every day. This year, we’re taking a stand.
AMY GOODMAN: Organizers for Black Mama’s Bail Out Day are calling for an end to the cash bail system, which keeps millions of people who have not been convicted of any crime imprisoned in jails every day nationwide while they await trial.
Well, for more, we’re joined by Mary Hooks, co-director of Southerners On New Ground, or SONG, an Atlanta-based regional LGBTQ nonprofit, one of the organizers of Black Mama’s Bail Out Day.
Welcome…