VAAC is joining 28 community partners for a Freedom Rally for Krystal Clark and women incarcerated at Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility on Saturday, July 4, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

July 4 is a day when people reflect on freedom and rights. This rally calls attention to concerns about environmental conditions, medical care, retaliation, and the treatment of medically vulnerable women at Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility.

Families, formerly incarcerated people, advocates, and community leaders have continued raising concerns about conditions inside the facility and across the Michigan Department of Corrections. Those voices are beginning to be heard, but the work is far from over.

Michigan lawmakers recently introduced bipartisan legislation that would expand the authority of the Legislative Corrections Ombudsman. House Bills 5920 and 5921 would allow prison staff and family members of incarcerated people to file complaints, increase access to medical records during investigations, and allow independent medical and environmental experts to assist with investigations.

These proposals could strengthen transparency and independent oversight, but people currently facing serious medical concerns or unsafe conditions cannot wait for the legislative process to be completed.

What the rally is calling for

The coalition is calling for:

• Immediate medical release for Krystal Clark so she can receive lifesaving medical care
• Independent medical oversight and review of prisoner healthcare practices
• Independent environmental testing and public release of findings related to mold, air quality, ventilation, and other environmental hazards inside WHV
• Protection from retaliation for incarcerated women who report unsafe conditions
• Transparency and accountability regarding recent deaths and serious medical complaints reported inside the facility

Event details

Date: Saturday, July 4
Time: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Location: Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility
Organizers: Krystal Clark Freedom Team and community partners

Community organizations, advocacy groups, faith leaders, grassroots partners, formerly incarcerated leaders, impacted families, and residents are invited to attend.

Community partners

• Krystal Clark Freedom Team
• Turning A Moment Into A Movement
• Survivors Speak
• Teach ‘Em How 2 Fish
• SilentCry
• Elbert Williams Voting & Justice Center
• Black Coffee No Sugar No Cream
• Choice Zone
• Voting Access for All Coalition
• Michigan Coalition of Human Rights
• Transforming Love Community
• National Action Network
• Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church
• Workers Against Oppression
• National Coalition for Prisoners’ Voting Rights
• Ypsi, Can I Share?
• Black Voters Matter
• The Academic Mentoring & Education Network
• PPE Next Level
• General Defense Committee
• Freedom Ain’t Free
• Felony Girls
• Party for Socialism and Liberation
• Nation of Islam Prison Reform Ministry
• National Organization of Exonerees
• The Change Up Midnight Coalition
• F.O.C.U.S.E.D. Prison Reform
• HakimCrampton.com

More organizations, advocates, faith leaders, community groups, formerly incarcerated individuals, impacted families, and concerned residents continue to join.