Jonah Kagan's Fundraiser
Support Critical Resistance in abolishing the prison industrial complex
Donate to help us fight jail expansion, policing and imprisonment
We are no longer accepting donations on this campaign, but there are other ways for you to support us today!
Jamila Janakiram
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Varun Singh
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Thomas Weinreich
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$100
A supporter of Jonah Kagan
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$500
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Colin Schimmelfing
"The note from Jonah’s parents says it right!"
$200
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Sean Povill
"Keep up the good work, it's an important cause."
$100
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Leo Selker
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Natan Last
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Daniel Carroll
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Alexander Soto
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$300
A supporter of Jonah Kagan
"HBD, Jonah! Would love to hear more about your work with them soon! "
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Mary Kulla
"I am all for diverting funds from incarceration to mental health services and social services. Go Jonah!"
$100
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Bruce and Fay Kagan
""The degree of civilization of a society can be judged by entering its prisons" -Fyodor Dostoyevsky"
$500
A supporter of Jonah Kagan
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Jonah Kagan
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$500
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Elizabeth Allen
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Ainsley Tharp
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I have had the privilege to take part in a grassroots fundraising workshop with Critical Resistance over the last month. Critical Resistance is a leader in the fight to abolish the prison industrial complex. As part of the workshop, I am helping them raise funds for their current campaigns, including closing the jail at 850 Bryant St in San Francisco, where I live.
I highly recommend reading this NYT magazine article to learn more about their work: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/17/magazine/prison-abolition-ruth-wilson-gilmore.html
In the workshop, I’ve learned a ton about what it means to be an abolitionist. In part, it’s about imagining what a society without prisons and policing would look like. It’s not just closing down jails, but also fighting for more healthcare and education. It’s about finding ways to create justice and safety within our communities instead of relying on the police.
It’s also about race and class. Communities of color, immigrants, and poor communities are criminalized and incarcerated just for existing. As a wealthy white person, I can’t feel free or safe in a society where my “freedom” and “safety” is built on locking humans in cages.
I’ve also learned about the power of grassroots fundraising. Instead of depending on the whims and predilections of wealthy donors and foundations, Critical Resistance sustains itself mainly from small donors from the community. That’s me and you. In this way, they stay rooted in the needs of the people. They are accountable to us.
Last, I would like to challenge you as you give to this fundraiser to give an amount that feels personally significant. I've been challenging myself to disconnect from a feeling of scarcity around money (thanks, capitalism!) and recognize how much wealth I have that I don't truly need. If this resonates for you, join me in giving an amount that feels on the edge of your comfort zone. I'll be giving $500.
I appreciate you for supporting me in this work!
Jonah