And in New York City, hundreds gathered Monday evening to demand justice for Layleen Polanco, a transgender Afro-Latinx prisoner who was found dead in a cell at Rikers Island on Friday. Her family’s lawyer told the crowd she suffered from a seizure disorder and had been held in solitary confinement prior to her death. Activists gathered called for Rikers to be shut down immediately. This is Cecilia Gentili speaking at Foley Square.
Cecilia Gentili: “Layleen loved New York, that you couldn’t get her out of here. She loved the buildings. She loved the vibe. She loved the people of New York City. And ultimately it has been this city that led to these circumstances, and we need to ask for answers.”