Black Agenda Report
Black Agenda Report
News, commentary and analysis from the black left.

  • Home
  • Africa
  • African America
  • Education
  • Environment
  • International
  • Media and Culture
  • Political Economy
  • Radio
  • US Politics
  • War and Empire

Incarcerated Workers in Alabama File Lawsuit to End Involuntary Servitude
Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
10 May 2024
🖨️ Print Article

Black Agenda Radio · Incarcerated Workers in Alabama File Lawsuit to End Involuntary Servitude

Six incarcerated people in the state of Alabama have filed a lawsuit against their governor and the Commissioner of Corrections. Alabama’s prison system is the most overcrowded in the country, where Black people make up 26 percent of the population, but 53 percent of the prison population. Following a successful labor strike by incarcerated workers, Alabama voters approved an amendment to the state constitution that expanded the ban on slavery and involuntary servitude to prison. With their state court lawsuit, the plaintiffs seek enforcement of the amendment. Jessica Vosburgh is a senior staff attorney at the Center for Constitutional Rights which represents the plaintiffs. She joins us from Birmingham, Alabama.

Prison Labor
Alabama prison strike
Center for Constitutional Rights

Related Podcasts

Involuntary servitude is slavery
Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
Ending Prison Slavery in California
14 June 2024
Dorsey Nunn recently retired as Executive Director of Legal Services for Prisoners with Children (
Black Agenda Radio
Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
Black Agenda Radio May 10, 2024
10 May 2024
In this week’s program we discuss a lawsuit filed by incarcerated people in Alabama, asking the state to end involuntary servitude, and also a conv
Black Agenda Radio
Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
Black Agenda Radio February 2, 2024
02 February 2024
In this week's segment we hear about abolishing slavery that exists in the incarceration system, and also the second part of our interview on

More Stories


  • An African View On Ukraine
    Jacqueline Luqman
    An African View On Ukraine
    30 Nov 2022
    Dr. Fred M'Membe, President of the Socialist Party of Zambia, was a recent guest on the Sputnik program, By Any Means Necessary. He discussed an African view of the crisis in Ukraine.
  • China's Leadership Shines Bright in Asia's Moment
    Danny Haiphong, BAR Contributing Editor
    China's Leadership Shines Bright in Asia's Moment
    30 Nov 2022
    China shows leadership in Asia while the U.S. relies on threats and interference to get its way.
  • BAR Book Forum: Miguel Valerio’s Book, “Sovereign Joy: Afro-Mexican Kings and Queens”
    Roberto Sirvent, BAR Book Forum Editor
    BAR Book Forum: Miguel Valerio’s Book, “Sovereign Joy: Afro-Mexican Kings and Queens”
    30 Nov 2022
    This week’s featured author is Miguel Valerio. Valerio is Assistant Professor of Spanish at Washington University in St. Louis. His book is Sovereign Joy: Afro-Mexican Kings and Queens, 1539-1640.
  • Is The “Conscience of the Congress” Unconscious?
    Dr.Wilmer J. Leon, III
    Is The “Conscience of the Congress” Unconscious?
    30 Nov 2022
    The Congressional Black Caucus has strayed far from the politics of its original members. Once called the "conscience of the congress," the group is made up of Democratic Party loyalists living off…
  • The Two Types of Death Penalties
    Kalonji Changa
    The Two Types of Death Penalties
    30 Nov 2022
    The governor of Missouri refused to grant clemency to Kevin Johnson and the state Supreme Court denied motions to halt his execution. The US Supreme Court refused to hear his case. Kevin Johnson was…
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us