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
U.S. Uses Economic Sanctions to Respond to Russia
Christine McDaniel, Senior Research Fellow at the Mercatus Center, joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to break down the long list of sanctions that the U.S. has levied against Russia since its invasion of Ukraine, and the impact - or lack thereof - they are having on Russia.
Meta on How It's Using Data Tech to Provide Aid to War Torn Ukraine
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, social media giant Meta said that it's using its technology to help the beleaguered nation Erin Egan, chief privacy officer, and Andrew Schroeder, vice president of research and analysis for direct relief, joined Cheddar News to discuss using data towards humanitarian relief. "Our goal with the program is to help organizations on the ground by sharing privacy-protected data sets to enable them to respond to crisis," Egan explained.
Need2Know: Russia-Ukraine War Update, Baby Formula Shortage & Lucky Charms
Catching you up on what you need to know on April 11, 2022, with updates on the Russia-Ukraine War, France’s presidential election, the record deforestation of the Amazon Rainforest, retail giant Amazon's objection to the Staten Island union vote, the worsening baby formula shortage, a lawsuit against Rutgers Law School, and a stomach illness possibly linked to Lucky Charms cereal.
Load More