The family and friends of Robert Brooks, a man killed by prison guards in New York State, will gather at a town hall this Saturday to demand justice and an end to what organizers call “modern-day lynching” in state prisons.
The event, hosted by the Alliance of Families for Justice and the Unified Black Caucus, will take place from 2:30 to 6 p.m. at Southside Community Center in Ithaca. It will include testimony from formerly incarcerated individuals, discussions on prison violence, and opportunities for attendees to take action in support of prison reform. A free dinner will be provided at 4:45 p.m.
Phoebe Brown, Central New York coordinator for the Alliance of Families for Justice, said the event aims to shed light on the continued brutality faced by incarcerated individuals, particularly people of color.
“We take this time to call for justice for Robert Brooks, Messiah Nantwi, and all the other men and women killed at the hands of the NYS prison guards,” Brown said. “I have sleepless nights wondering why many in our community are insensitive to the killings, brutality, and trauma our sisters and brothers endure while incarcerated.”
Brooks was killed on December 9 at Marcy Correctional Facility, where he was reportedly assaulted by multiple guards while shackled. Six guards have been charged with his murder, and several others face additional charges. The incident, caught on camera, has fueled outrage over what advocates describe as systemic abuse in New York prisons.
Tonia Bacon, executive director of operations for the Unified Black Caucus, criticized the way the guards were treated following their arrests. “During the arrest of the guards, their hands should have been cuffed behind their backs, and no bail should have been posted for them,” Bacon said.
The event will also address the recent work stoppage by New York State prison guards, which came in response to the state’s Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement (HALT) Act. The strike, which sought to roll back the 2022 law restricting solitary confinement, coincided with the deaths of at least nine incarcerated individuals, including 22-year-old Messiah Nantwi. Fifteen prison staff were placed on administrative leave in connection with Nantwi’s killing.
Advocates argue that the strike endangered lives by delaying medical care and court dates for incarcerated individuals. The HALT Act, which was upheld in federal court despite opposition from the guard union, was partially rolled back during the strike.
The town hall will feature perspectives from formerly incarcerated people and seek commitments from political leaders, including Governor Kathy Hochul, State Senator Lea Webb, and State Representative Anna Kelles.
“Our politicians need to speak up for justice unless they are OK with this unjust system,” Bacon said.
Attendees will have opportunities to take action in support of prison accountability, enforcement of the HALT Act, and legislative efforts to protect incarcerated individuals. The event is co-sponsored by a coalition of advocacy groups, including the Civic Ensemble ReEntry Theatre, Downtown Berrigan Collective, and Tompkins County Showing Up for Racial Justice.
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