Following up on Jobs Not Jails successful rally on Saturday, April 26th, more than seventy volunteers showed up today, April 30th, at the Massachusetts State House to hold orange banners, filled with petitions with more than 46,000 names—ironic since that’s about what it costs per year per state prisoner in Massachusetts. With the rally cry “Jobs Not Jails,” volunteers greeted passer-bys and legislators who stopped by to pledge their support. Here are some scenes from today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Members of Jobs Not Jails in front of the State House including Steve O’Neill (left) and other members of Ex-Prisoners and Prisoners for Community Advancement (EPOCA).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senator James Eldrige (Acton) on the left and Rep. Tom Sanncandro (Ashland) flank JNJ volunteers Lily Williams (left) and Brenda Dejarnette, both volunteers for Jobs Not Jails. Below Rep. Sannicandro signs the petition and a copy of the petition itself with what JNJ is standing for.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Also at the rally was Jason Lydon of Black and Pink and Barb Dougan of Families Against Mandatory Minimums (right, second pic).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The day included other volunteers who showed up as well, holding signs, passing out water and taking photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jarmahl Crawford from Blackstonian.

Jobs Not Jails also reminded passer-bys and supporters to call their legislators and support bills that aim to stop mass incarceration. See my post below for more about the slate of criminal justice bills that are in process this year.