The Jailscraper vs. Chinatown: NYC Residents Fight Construction of World's Tallest Jail

Democracy Now!
Democracy Now!
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Published 2022-12-05
Residents of New York's Chinatown are speaking out against the construction of a new megajail in the neighborhood that would be a third as high as the Empire State Building, which would likely make it the tallest jail in the world, if finished. The so-called jailscraper is part of an $8 billion plan to build new jails across the city in order to retire the infamous Rikers Island facility, but opponents say that money would be better spent on social services, harm reduction and other initiatives that would better serve the community. Jan Lee, co-founder of the community group Neighbors United Below Canal, says Chinatown residents are interested in "creating a more humane environment for those who are incarcerated." We also speak with Christopher Marte, who represents the area on New York City Council, and Jon Alpert, co-founder of the community media center DCTV, based in Chinatown for half a decade, who has been documenting the struggle.

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All Comments (21)
  • @sometimessage
    Someone is making a fortune locking people up.😡
  • @pikachus5m166
    They should build this mega jail next to those mega skyscraper apartments overlooking Central Park. Prisoners will see eye to eye with the corporate elites who have turned the prison system into the hugely profitable commercial enterprise it is today, in a nation with 4pc of the global population, and 25pc of the global prison population.
  • @lbrown7164
    I'm all for the jail they should put it right next to Wall Street so they can arrest the real criminals
  • @ISLANDTRUCKER
    When these mayor and politicians need your vote they tell you what you want to hear đŸ€Šâ€â™‚ïž
  • @ThunderAppeal
    This is designed to replace rikers island. Rikers island is being sold to wealthy developers. Nothing at all about this is about 'humane' treatment of prisoners.
  • @DetroitQueen74
    The private practice of prisons is a lucrative business. This story is upsetting. Put the prisons in the areas of those who profit from it-the rich!
  • @beesplaining1882
    It's touching to watch people trying to practice democracy in an oligarchy!
  • @nancyte7
    We do not need new jails that are skyscrapers!?!
  • @CamperVan-K
    That's not a jail for criminal convicts. That's for the future, when people don't subscribe to what's been going on for the past two years. Wake up.
  • @glascoebowie9359
    This ain't about Democracy This is about the chain of command. Power = force
  • @alancortez1722
    "They don't gotta burn the books they just remove 'em While arms warehouses fill as quick as the cells Rally 'round the family, pockets full of shells" -Rage Against The Machine
  • @qjtvaddict
    Why build a jail in the heart of the city? That’s stupid
  • @dannywindham3295
    How about giving people the resources they need to live so they don't commit crime. Geez that's a novel idea it's all economics folks. The United States federal government has all the money in the world and all the resources in the world to house and keep people safe. Professor Stephanie Kelton Bernie Sanders Chief economist learn mmt please
  • @juliettedemaso7588
    I’m so sad to see such a small crowd dissenting in person, but it’s really hard to organize material action now. People are afraid of everything from arrest to violence to job loss and being seen online communicating against institution. We’ve got to get brave..
  • @louish.9414
    I’m thinking is NYC that out of control or as Malcolm X said jail is Big Business.