FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 27, 2024
Contact:
Minister King X
Phone: 510.213.4008
Email: KAGEUNIVERSAL@gmail.com
Sacramento, CA – Outside the steps of the California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation at 11:30 am, Friday, September 27, 2024, California Prison Focus (CPF), KAGE Universal, All Of Us Or None (AOUON), and Liberate Our Elders, will be announcing a significant statement from the New Afrikan collective addressing the enduring impact of systemic discrimination faced by marginalized communities throughout history. This lawsuit, shared by leading activists including Bomoni Uhuru Shakur and Donald “C-Note” Hooker, underscores the commitment to combat racial injustice in all its forms.
The collective’s message highlights the oppressive structures perpetuated by institutionalized racism and capital racism that continue to target New Afrikans and other disenfranchised groups in the United States. These systems, entrenched in policies like California’s Penal Code 4571, are criticized for creating a modern-day scenario reminiscent of racial fascism and chattel slavery, as articulated through the framework of the New Jim Crow.
Penal Code 4571 restricts ex-felons from being near state prisons or county jails without explicit permission, a statute often used to unfairly penalize individuals who are unaware of these restrictions. Many individuals, particularly from Black and Brown communities, face additional hurdles in their reintegration efforts, merely due to familial ties or involvement in rehabilitation initiatives.
Minister King X states, “The legacy of institutionalized racism, intensified by the 13th Amendment’s exceptions, is evident in the modern-day exploitation of those who have been imprisoned. Laws like Penal Code 4571 perpetuate a system designed to marginalize and criminalize those who have already endured systemic oppression.”
In 2021, Minister King X was arrested by CDCR parole agents at his place of employment, California Prison Focus headquarters, for participating in a peaceful protest advocating for the release of political prisoner Ruchell “Cinque” Magee. King was detained under Penal Code 4571 simply for being present outside the Vacaville Facility, where he sought to raise awareness about Magee’s lengthy imprisonment. This event not only illustrates the personal consequences of such laws but also reflects the broader impact of systemic racial injustice.
This lawsuit calls for immediate legislative action to review and repeal Penal Code 4571. It emphasizes the necessity for policies that dismantle the structures of racial oppression and promote true justice and economic equity for all individuals, regardless of their past.
As echoed by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” a sentiment that resonates powerfully with our ongoing mission to dismantle the long-standing systems of oppression.
Over the years, organizations such as California Prison Focus/K.A.G.E. Universal has been at the forefront of advocating for the rights of marginalized communities, achieving notable successes in raising awareness and pushing for legislative reforms. The collective is committed to fostering a society rooted in respect and dignity for all individuals.
In light of the urgency for change, we invite community members and allies to join in this fight against racial injustice and to support our call for immediate reform.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Minister King X
Phone: 510.213.4008
Email: KAGEUNIVERSAL@gmail.com
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