In Alabama, state officials and Governor Kay Ivey proposed to use upwards of $500 million in COVID relief funds for the financing of new prisons. The move, which was blocked by the Biden Administration, is just one of many to respond to the COVID crisis with more money for police and prisons.
And not to fear. Despite the ruling against using the COVID relief funds, Alabama's Governor continues to push for building two new men’s prisons that “will be larger than any current prisons”.
And Alabama is not alone. As the continuing psychological, social and economic effects of the pandemic (on top of the other crises we are facing) are reflected in harmful behaviors, the response is LAW & ORDER!
After the protests over the murder of George Floyd and countless others, there were timid (to say the least) moves in some places to reign in the growth of police and the use of force in responding to crises. Those are gone, as on the local, national and international level, we see the ramping up of the police and the military to preserve "a rules based order" which supports a system that benefits the few and controls the many. Our nation's priorities, at every level, are reflected in what our government spends and doesn't spend.
Until we address the harm that our economic, political and social system perpetrates from the cradle to the grave, there will be no justice. And for those who demand justice, there will be no peace.
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