No More Prisons--Protest in San Mateo County Pt I

The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Department held a groundbreaking ceremony one week ago today at the site of a new prison. Occupy Redwood City (ORWC) was quick to respond with a protest, rallying with a coalition of groups to say "No More Prisons!"
Part I of this article is here: http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/07/15/18717590.php

At a rally on Saturday in front of a new prison site, directly across the street from the Redwood City police department, many spoke of the need to halt the building of prisons. Dorsey Nunn of Legal Services for Prisoners with Children said how happy he was that Occupiers were joining the cause and added that more cost-efficient and just alternatives would provide greater long-term benefits for all.

James Lee of Occupy Redwood City (ORWC) spoke out as a former public employee and union member. He said it was a shame that the San Mateo County Labor Council was pushing for this jail. He added that while the jail would provide building and trades unions with a few years of construction jobs, the operating expenses of the jail would drain the county of further resources, leading to the loss of good public sector jobs.

Occupy Redwood City issued a statement saying that our prison system is both a moral blight on our society and an overwhelming economic burden, taking away much needed resources from schools, health care, and affordable housing. ORWC stands with the many groups in solidarity on this issue, including YUCA (Youth United for Community Action), ACLU Northern California, and CJCJ (Center for Juvenile and Criminal Justice), amongst others.