A "Thank You" from James Byrd

This past weekend, on Saturday 8/28, a group of local activists held a "Resignation Occupation" protest outside of Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald's house. The action was organized in response to ACJ's new contracts and grew to include critique of Fitz's cozying up to Amazon and to the coal and fracking industries. Because of the ample evidence that Fitz is not concerned with serving his constituents, they demanded he resign immediately. (No luck so far.)

Sign posted to a lamppost on Rich Fitzgerald's porch. It shows an image of Martin Bucek, who recently died at ACJ, accompanied with the text "How much blood is on yours and the Warden's hands?" and "Quit Your job!!!"

After learning about the action James Byrd, who is currently incarcerated at ACJ, sent me a note to share with you all on the outside. He is an undeniably powerful writer and I'm honored to post his message here:

"Life can prepare us for many things through its unforgiving and relentless experiences which often leave impressions in our minds and hearts that build our characters and shape our futures. But nothing can prepare us to know how to accept, embrace, appreciate or even understand how people can be unknowingly bound together by a common thread, and that commonality can then cause them to unite to perform such selfless, compassionate, moral, and astonishing acts such as the peaceful protest organized and executed on August 28, 2021 to demonstrate their disagreement with the Allegheny County Jail's further efforts to torture, terrorize and the undernourishment of the inmates housed at the ACJ. It is in times like August 28, 2021 that movements are born, and inmates such as myself realize that regardless of the type or duration of hardship, their is hope that there remains people in society who still value human life, believe in fairness & equality, and who will take a stand to uphold the promise that our great nation and the American flag vowed to deliver-Truth, Justice, & Peace.

Image via James's twitter account @ACJprisoner

Thanks to all of you who stood in support of the inmates at the ACJ. My only regret is that I have yet to meet each and every one of you so that I can personally show my gratitude and respect for you as an individual, and hopefully share some of my insights and experiences to help shape your lives and build character in such beautiful and awesome individuals. On behalf of all of the inmates at the ACJ, we appreciate and thank you for your support!

Contact James Byrd at:

Facebook: James Byrd Acj

Twitter: @ACJPrisoner

Email: Justice4jaymz@gmail.com

or

sign up on his GTL tablet to become a personal contact by signing up on GettingOut.com and downloading the app to your mobile device and using his inmate booking number 2015-06698 and DOC# 52773 to add yourself as a contact."