Scenes from the ‘Jobs Not Jails’ Rally on Boston Common

The rain didn't dampen the spirits of the hundreds who gathered to ask legislators for job creation rather than new jails.

Walking to the Rally for Jobs Not Jails / Photo provided

Walking to the Rally for Jobs Not Jails / Photo provided

On Saturday afternoon, activists, union organizers, students, religious groups, politicians, former prisoners, and those in recovery rallied on the Boston Common around the same cry for an end to mass incarceration. The Jobs Not Jails (JNJ) rally was organized in large part by Ex-Prisoners and Prisoners for Community Advancement (EPOCA), and speakers underscored the dire state of the Commonwealth’s criminal justice policies, and the long-term impacts if our leaders do not institute change (to the tune of not millions—but billions—of dollars in the next seven years).

JNJ volunteers will continue to make their message heard on Wednesday, from 11 a.m to 1 p.m., at the State House with orange banners filled with the names of some 25,000 who have signed on to stop prison building, each name standing for a vote against a new prison bed and a vote for job creation. The message to legislators will be “Look out your window!”

In case you missed it, here are scenes from this weekend’s rally:

Anne Phillips (left) and Alysé Bigger / Photo provided

Anne Phillips (left) and Alysé Bigger / Photo provided by Class Action Org

Rocky Gines of Worcester Carpenters Local 107 / Photo provided

Rocky Gines of Worcester Carpenters Local 107 / Photo provided

Neighbor to Neighbor Banner and Crowd  / Photo provided

Neighbor to Neighbor Banner and Crowd / Photo provided

Senator James Eldridge (Acton), Maura Healy (Dem. Candidate for Attorney General, and Barbara Dougan (Families against Mandatory Minimums) / Photo provided

Senator James Eldridge (Acton), Maura Healy (Dem. Candidate for Attorney General, and Barbara Dougan (Families against Mandatory Minimums) / Photo provided

Members of First Parish Church of Lexington / Photo provided

Members of First Parish Church of Lexington / Photo provided

Member of Black and Pink Supporting JNJ / Photo provided

Member of Black and Pink Supporting JNJ / Photo provided

Andrea James of Families for Justice as Healing (left) and Susan Tordella, prison volunteer Toastmasters Inc. at one of many booths / photo provided

Andrea James of Families for Justice as Healing (left) and Susan Tordella, prison volunteer Toastmasters Inc. at one of many booths / photo provided

tk