Not meant as a slap

[Ambreen Esmail]

Dear Agnes, The email was not meant as an insult or a slap  - it was Bcc ed to many who have been part of the network and need to know the truth - amongst them are many Politicians. I was making a point for those who still have not joined the cause.

These are not times to be upset at the ones who are working towards change - i know that more than anyone else..but it a time to know & speak the truth without fear. Michelle and I started Occupy D.O.C in order to get families & friends of the incarcerated to come forth and volunteer as well as help with gathering voter registrations...so that we may move into action and Fire the Politicians who are not working for the people.

I apologize if the email sounded harsh and was offensive. That was not my intention...it was meant as a wake up call for those who need to take a stand in furthering the cause. When there is a loved one in prison not even convicted yet...in Limbo !!! you feel helpless and desperate. There is anger & frustration.

As a Family, we should be able to share this frustration and support each other through these trying times. think of ways to assist. like I said many prisoners do not even get any publicity and are just unknown faces in a crowd. I met three such this past week all ages 17 - 50.

I have tried to reach many for help and also to say that I was trying to reach out to the wrong people is upsetting because how are we to know who to reach out to!!!!

Being at Rikers every week and talking to mothers, wives, sisters etc is so different than speaking to them outside. All have one thing in common...they hate going through the process and feel like criminals as well. depression is common with them after they leave the visit floor, it takes days to recover. How am I supposed to take in all that and not get angry??

Again, I apologize to everyone..this was not intended to offend but a venting of thoughts which are in sync to what a lot of us feel & 10 times more what the prisoners feel. there is no Hope for some of them. I do appreciate and pray that all our efforts show some progress - one step at a time and hope that we are able to make change a reality

Thank you
Ambreen