• Thanks to Hundreds of Supporters, ATI/Reentry Rally is a Huge Success

    June 13, 2011


    Hundreds came out for the rally, with even more supporters outside the gates, unable to make it through security to the event.     		Many thanks to all who turned out for the rally at City Hall this afternoon! In calling for more -- not less -- funding for smart-on-crime ATI/reentry programs, our supporters joined leaders from around the city, including:

    Scores of supporters raised signs and chanted, "No more shackles; no more cuts!" and "ATI, stay alive!" as city officials gathered for the press conference.

    The crowd was so large, in fact, that not everyone was able to make it past security for the event; dozens cheered and waved signs from outside the fence.

    Meanwhile, at the podium, city officials had nothing but praise for the menu of programs offered by the members of the New York ATI/Reentry Coalition.

    "Our fear here today is that if the funding for these programs is cut, that it will affect our public safety," Councilwoman Crowley said in opening the event, "and it'll also not give people who make the wrong choices in life that second chance to be a successful, productive, law-abiding citizen."

    Calling ATI/Reentry programs "part of our armament in public safety," Mr. Hynes said he could not fathom the idea of cutting them.

    Mr. Aborn seconded that in his address, saying: "Cutting ATI is as bad as cutting cops. We shouldn't do it."

    "We can talk about numbers all day, but it's also about the people," said Glenn Martin of the Fortune Society (left), as the crowd burst into cheers of "A-T-I, A-T-I!" Incarceration at Rikers Island he said, costs $76,000 per year, while a much more effective ATI program costs only $11,000 per year.

    At right, supporters' signs showed their appreciation for ATI/reentry programs in New York City.

    Follow this link to see the photos and tweets from our live coverage of the event!