In other prison news, dozens of protesters rallied outside the federal Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, on Thursday. During last week’s polar vortex, 1,600 prisoners were held at the prison without heat, hot meals or electricity. The protest came one day after a judge visited the prison to inspect conditions at the jail.

Samantha Johnson: “My name is Sam Johnson. I’m out here in support and solidarity for the detainees that are at MDC. I’m also here to show that the oppressive behavior that the government is doing right now cannot be accepted and that people on the ground are out here to hold them accountable. When we came to the courthouse on Tuesday, we understood that the government was going to do what they do. They’re going to clean up house. They’re going to show that the cells are perfectly fine. And then, when all the smoke and mirrors have gone, it becomes back to the original plan of hurting black and brown people and not acknowledging them and thinking that they’re lower than humanity.”