Philly needs a budget that reflects our grim reality | Opinion Federal assaults and continued disinvestment threaten the city. Mayor Parker’s fiscal plan does not adequately address these issues.

A budget is a moral document!

In an op-ed for @inquirer.com, Amistad's Co-ED, Nikki Grant, and Vivian Chang of Asian Americans United call on Mayor Cherelle Parker to show up for Philadelphians with the financial investments our communities need to survive.

www.inquirer.com/opinion/comm...

With 102 days until court deadline, Pa. advocates criticize delay on felony murder bill vote • Pennsylvania Capital-Star While some groups had issues with components of the proposal, the move rankled criminal justice advocates who have long sought to eliminate mandatory life sentences for those convicted of felony murde...

Last week, the House Judiciary Committee pulled a bill that would offer parole review to the 1,100 people in PA prisons currently serving an unconstitutional sentence for felony murder.

@iankarbal.bsky.social reported on it for the @penncapital-star.com.

penncapital-star.com/criminal-jus...

Police shot and killed a man after a confrontation in West Philly this morning, authorities say Anthony McKinley, 75, had lived on the block for decades, neighbors said.

Philadelphia police shot and killed a 75 year old West Philly man this week who neighbors describe as a fatherly figure who was always helping people out.

Whatever was going on for Mr. McKinley, he needed support. We cannot accept this senseless killing.

www.inquirer.com/crime/police...

Join us and @abolitionistlawcenter.org this Wednesday, April 8 at 6:00 PM for a Power Meeting on the Derek Lee Case!

We will gather at 6:00 PM at West Philadelphia Mennonite Church at 123 S. 51st Street, Philadelphia, PA 19139. Food will be provided!

Register here: amistadlaw.org/news/join-us...

A Victory Against Cruel Punishment in Pennsylvania https://ia600602.us.archive.org/23/items/2026-03-31-RUWS/2026_03_31_Kris_Henderson.mp3

Amistad's Co-Ed Kris Henderson sat down with @ruwithsonali.bsky.social to discuss the implications of the PA Supreme Court ruling that renders all the sentences of the 1,000+ people serving Death By Incarceration for felony murder unconstitutional. Listen here:
risingupwithsonali.com/a-victory-ag...

Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court Reins in Life Sentences for Felony Murder - Bolts The court’s ruling could create a pathway out of prison for more than 1,000 people who were automatically sentenced to life without parole for murders they themselves didn't commit.

"Sheena King, who is incarcerated at SCI Muncy, told @boltsmag.org that the women around her have “been celebrating, crying, and praising God” since last week’s ruling."

A moving piece by @victorialaw.bsky.social on the impact of the Lee ruling on people in prison.

boltsmag.org/pennsylvania...

PA court ends mandatory life for 2nd-degree murder The outcome could fundamentally change the lives of more than 1,000 people currently serving life sentences without the possibility of parole.

Congratulations to our friends who fought this fight: @abolitionistlawcenter.org, @amistadlaw.bsky.social, @ccrjustice.org

Everyone deserves a chance at redemption.

PA court ends mandatory life for 2nd-degree murder The outcome could fundamentally change the lives of more than 1,000 people currently serving life sentences without the possibility of parole.

News: The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has struck down a state law mandating life sentences without parole for individuals found guilt of second degree murder -- i.e., being a getaway driver in a fatal robbery. Via @dtohl.bsky.social
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/03...

Thank you to @abolitionistlawcenter.org for your leadership on this case! It's always a joy to collaborate with you and @ccrjustice.org in the fight to free people from prison so they can be reunited with their loved ones out here.

This historic win is the result of decades of organizing by people in PA prisons and their families. We look forward to the legislature’s swift action that must rectify the grave injustice of these unconstitutional sentences and affirm Pennsylvanians' right to redemption.

Because the decision will have broad impacts, the court’s ruling gives the Pennsylvania legislature 120 days to change the unconstitutional sentencing scheme through legislation.

BREAKING: The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled today that mandatory Death By Incarceration (DBI) for felony murder is unconstitutional.

This historic ruling could offer a chance at freedom for over 1,000 people sentenced to die in PA prisons for felony murder.

Opinion | He Didn’t Kill Anyone. Alabama Is About to Execute Him Anyway.

35 years ago, Sonny Burton robbed an AutoZone. He didn't kill anyone. Yet the state of Alabama is set to execute him next Thursday if Gov. Kay Ivey doesn't intervene.

Take action here: www.charlessonnyburton.com

www.nytimes.com/2026/03/05/o...

Come Out to Amistad's Movement Game Night | Amistad Law Project We can't build the world we deserve without each other.

Connection to community sustains our work for the long haul.

If you're interested in fighting back against state violence so our communities can flourish, come out to our Movement Game Night this Saturday at 5:00 PM to get plugged in!

Register here: amistadlaw.org/news/come-ou...

You can watch writer & filmmaker Toni Cade Bambara's documentary on this, THE BOMBING OF OSAGE AVENUE!
www.pbs.org/video/whyy-s...

I Was 19 When My Ex Killed An Elderly Woman. I'm Still In Prison For A Murder I Didn't Commit. "When she came out with blood on her shirt, I froze. Fear rooted me in place."

Felony Murder laws are a huge driver of mass incarceration in the US. In PA alone, over 1,100 people are sentenced to die in prison due to this draconian law.

Read Devin Giordano's story in @huffpost.com and join the fight to bring him and thousands of others home.
www.huffpost.com/entry/felony...

We keep us safe! That's why we're teaming up with @abolitionistlawcenter.org to host a Know Your Rights Against ICE training on Wednesday, March 11.

Join us from 6:00 - 8:00 PM to learn immigration-related rights and best practices in the face of ICE.

RSVP at bit.ly/KYRagainstICE

@joshshapiropa.bsky.social clearly does not want people sentenced to die in PA prisons to be given a fair hearing for a second chance.

www.inquirer.com/opinion/lett...

Come out to Amistad's Movement Game night to connect with good people over food and games!

On March 7th from 5:00 - 7:00 PM, we'll be on the 4th floor of 924 Cherry Street in Philadelphia.

Register here: actionnetwork.org/events/movem...

i am increasingly bothered by terms like "showdown" or "face-off" or "clash" when used to describe corrupt and fascist power coming up against resistance because there's an implied symmetry that does not exist.

Accountability Beyond Punishment Workbook — Interrupting Criminalization Join Interrupting Criminalization for a virtual session on transformative justice with organizer and transformative justice facilitator Camila Pelsinger Villalba. This session is for people who are pr...

It's a great time to skill up on alternatives to this country's punitive carceral system.

This Thursday, @interruptcrim.bsky.social is hosting a virtual session on transformative justice with Camila Pelsinger Villalba. More info here:
www.interruptingcriminalization.com/events/all/a...

A veto-proof majority of Philadelphia City Council members have signed onto the ‘ICE Out’ proposal The developments prompted Mayor Cherelle L. Parker to make one of her first public comments about Trump’s mass deportation campaign, acknowledging in a statement “the public’s fear of the unknown.”

In Philly, 15 out of 17 City Councilmembers have co-sponsored @kendraphlcouncil.bsky.social's comprehensive ICE OUT legislation, making it veto-proof and all but ensuring it will be written into law.

A HUGE win for all the community orgs that organized for this!

www.inquirer.com/politics/phi...

House Democrat Says Abolishing ICE Isn’t Enough — DHS Must Go, Too “The problem isn’t ‘training.’ DHS was built to violate our rights,” said Rep. Delia C. Ramirez.

@ramirez.house.gov is right: "The problem isn’t ​‘training.’ DHS was built to violate our rights and has been empowered to act with impunity."

Abolish DHS.

inthesetimes.com/article/deli... @inthesetimes.com

THREAD. Yesterday we won a landmark injunction striking down the cash bail system in Riverside, California.

Protestors in Philadelphia marched from City Hall to @fetterman.senate.gov's office to demand he vote NO on the bill that would give MORE money to DHS & ICE.

Imagine witnessing masked agents unleashing terror in our communities and deciding the right response is to give them more money. Shameful.

Then on Thursday, we're packing City Hall to tell Philly City Council to support CM Brooks's legislation to protect our communities from ICE terror.

Come out to show your support for Philly's beloved immigrant communities!

At 11:00 AM, we'll march from City Hall to Fetterman's office as part of a statewide action to demand he vote NO on the Senate bill that would give MORE money to the Department of Homeland, including an extra $770 million for ICE.

You can contact his office here: secure.ngpvan.com/M3PW3s4L8kaC...

Philly! We've got several opportunities to show up to Anti-ICE actions this week. First up: We're rallying at the NE corner outside City Hall tomorrow morning at 10 AM in support of @kendraphlcouncil.bsky.social's legislation to get ICE out of Philly.

In Philly: ICE is caught on camera using a private, court-owned lot to stage a kidnapping. Sign the petition to tell Sheriff Bilal: Keep ICE out of the courthouse! bit.ly/ICEoutCJC

Prolific prosecution witness tapped for Board of Pardons Shapiro’s pick is opposed by clemency advocates and criminal defense attorneys.

John O’Brien, Gov. @joshshapiropa.bsky.social's pick to fill the vacant psychologist seat on the PA Board of Pardons, has argued that children who commit crimes cannot be rehabilitated, and he's pushed for many to be charged as adults. This is unacceptable.

www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/01...