The coronavirus outbreak has been taking a toll on our everyday lives, and everyone is at risk including those in jail and detention centers. Kerry Kennedy, president of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, joined ChedHER Friday to discuss how her nonprofit is helping to free those who are subjected to wealth-based imprisonment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The daughter of Robert F. Kennedy, and ex-wife of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, said that RFK Human Rights has freed over 200 people in 10 cities over the last two and a half weeks. These people were put in jail and awaiting trial, some for as little as a $25 fine for an overdue parking ticket.

“In the moment of corona this is extremely dangerous,” said Kennedy. “Overcrowded jails where people don’t have access to sanitary situations, showers, handwashing, social distancing, Purell.”

The nonprofit is also working to keep those in detention centers safe. “We are also doing a lot of work on immigration,” said Kennedy. “The immigration detention centers again are extremely overcrowded and access to medical care is woefully being withheld.”

The Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization has advocated for a more peaceful world since 1968. It works with students and the business community to inspire young leaders and activists to get involved.

“You can make a difference,” Kennedy said as her piece of advice for aspiring young leaders. “Every single one of us has a role to play and you've been given gifts, use those gifts to make a more just and peaceful world.”

Share:
More In Politics
Legal Questions Swirl as States Push Back Against Biden COVID Vaccine Mandate
The Biden Administration's mandate for COVID vaccinations by large employers has been put on hold by federal courts as GOP-led states and some businesses push back on the order's legality. Jonathan Adler, a law professor at Case Western Reserve University, joined Cheddar to discuss the legal challenges to implementing such mandates through OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). "Certainly expanding vaccinations is a good thing, and as vaccination rates go up that's better for all of us," Adler said. "But there are some legal questions about whether or not it's appropriate to use a law about occupational safety and health as the means to do that."
Elon Musk Asks Twitter: Should I Sell Tesla Stock?
Elon Musk asked Twitter if he should sell about $20 billion worth of his Tesla stock and about 58 percent of those who answered said yes. The Tesla CEO pledged to abide by the results of the poll, whichever way it went. Arun Sundararajan, NYU Stern professor & author of "The Sharing Economy: The End of Employment and the Rise of Crowd-Based Capitalism," joined Cheddar to discuss what the Twitter poll says about America's attitude towards billionaires and the nation's tax system.
As the Fed Sets a Taper Date, Consumers Hope for a Decrease in Inflation
The Federal Reserve finally announced its taper plan on Wednesday saying that it planned to scale back on bond purchases as growth slows, and would not rush to raise interest rates. Ross Mayfield, Investment Strategy Analyst at Baird spoke on whether or not a decrease in inflation could be in the country’s future amidst comments made by Fed chairman Jerome Powell. Baird also broke down ADP jobs numbers ahead of the Labor Department's October jobs report.
Load More