Raise the Age Rally

A small rally was held Tuesday, March 31st at the New York State Capitol pressuring State legislators to raise the age at which child offenders can be tried and sentenced as adults and put into adult prisons.  Participants in the demonstration first descended upon the offices of several legislators to personally read the names and stories of NYS child offenders sentenced harshly during the course of the last year.  Afterwards, the rally moved to the State Senate Chamber where a session was scheduled.

New York is one of TWO remaining states that charges children as adult offenders, despite knowing juveniles are more prone to sexual assault, violence, and suicide once incarcerated.  Captial Area Against Mass Incarceration is demanding that youth up to the age of 25 be diverted to restorative justice programs with wraparound services.