Interrupting Criminalization
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interruptcrim.bsky.social
Interrupting Criminalization
@interruptcrim.bsky.social
9K followers 400 following 1K posts
Offering research, connection, learning, and practice for organizers and movements working to end criminalization, policing, and punishment. Founded and led by Andrea J. Ritchie and Mariame Kaba.

Learn more at http://interruptingcriminalization.com/
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interruptcrim.bsky.social
But Shouldn’t Police Be Held Accountable? Qualified immunity is only relevant after someone has already been harmed or killed by police or ICE. We should focus on preventing harm from happening in the first place. When people suing cops overcome the qualified immunity defense, they may get compensation, but the cops usually stay on the force, continuing the same violent practices of policing that led to the harm. In other words, the person harmed may win their civil case against an individual cop, but the violence of policing continues. Getting rid of qualified immunity won’t get rid of police violence. The only way to do that is to stop funding, arming, empowering, & legitimizing them.
January 23, 2026 at 11:05 PM
interruptcrim.bsky.social
This week on social media, some people have been talking about qualified immunity. Scroll through to see why we don’t think it’s something our movement should demand.

#AbolishICE #DefundPolice #AbolitionNow
Why Not Demand an End to Qualified Immunity? “I'm not interested in reforms that only focus on what we do after police officers have beaten someone to death.” — IC co-founder Andrea J. Ritchie What Is Qualified Immunity? A legal rule in civil cases that makes it harder to sue state actors (e.g., cops) when they violate someone’s rights. It can—but doesn’t always—block lawsuits when cops harm or kill someone.
January 23, 2026 at 11:05 PM
interruptcrim.bsky.social
Practicing or curious about transformative justice (TJ)? Register here for Accountability Beyond Punishment Workbook, a virtual TJ session with organizer & TJ facilitator Camila Pelsinger Villalba. ASL & live captioning provided. Thurs, Feb 12, 2026 · 6:30–8 pm EST. form.jotform.com/260155795389...
A photo of a book that reads Accountability Beyond Punishment Workbook, and has the IC logo. WEBINAR with ASL & live captioning | February 12, 2026 6:30-8PM EST How do we practice accountability without recreating punishment & disposability?
January 23, 2026 at 2:08 AM
interruptcrim.bsky.social
DETROIT: The Practicing New Worlds Study Circle series at The Boggs Center kicks off on 1/22, with a book signing featuring our co-founder Andrea J. Ritchie, author of Practicing New Worlds: Abolition and Emergent Strategies. 📖

📍 Boggs Center, 3061 Field St. in Detroit
🗓️ Thursday, January 22, 6-8pm
Practicing New Worlds, Andrea J. Ritchie Jan 22 Book signing with author Thursday 6-8pm; Study Circle: Feb 12 Session 1 Thursday, 6-8 PM; Mar 12 Session 2 Thursday, 6-8PM; Apr 9 Session 3 Thursday 6-8 PM; May 14 Session 4 Thursday 6-8 PM Register for our in-person Study Circle today! Also has a photo of Andrea, a Black woman, smiling.
January 17, 2026 at 7:00 PM
interruptcrim.bsky.social
“We are here to say no — no to the kidnapping of our neighbors, no to the normalization of fascist violence. We are here because our love and decency are stronger than our fears, and because we know we will find courage in each other.”
“We will not get through this by demanding that the system simply operate more smoothly, nor should we demand a return to the status quo. We are not here to ask for a gentler boot on our neighbors’ necks. Nor are we in search of a detour back to the road that brought us here. We are here to say no — no to the kidnapping of our neighbors, no to the normalization of fascist violence. We are here because our love and decency are stronger than our fears, and because we know we will find courage in each other.”
January 8, 2026 at 8:06 AM
interruptcrim.bsky.social
🗓️January 29 + February 5, 2026 at 6-7:30 PM ET: Join us for a 2-part "Radical Unlearning" study group with IC Fellow @lewispants.bsky.social to discuss, explore, and build skills and community focused on cultivating unlearning in our own lives! www.interruptingcriminalization.com/events/all/r...
Event graphic with bright yellow text, colorful wavy shapes in pink, orange, and green. The event text reads: "Radical Unlearning Virtual Study Group. Thursdays, January 29 + February 5. 6-7:30 PM ET. Virtual. Apply by January 20." In the bottom left is the cover of the book "Radical Unlearning: The Art and Science of Creating Change from Within" by Lewis Raven Wallace, and in the bottom right is a dark box with yellow text: "a two-part study & discussion group with Lewis Raven Wallace & special guests who are featured in the book"
December 19, 2025 at 7:52 PM
interruptcrim.bsky.social
"As @lewispants.bsky.social describes in @objectivejournos.bsky.social, “fascist leaders thrive on an ill-informed public.” Wallace, citing @dreanyc123.bsky.social, notes that movement journalism’s 'purpose zero' is 'to challenge fascism and authoritarianism by fighting disinformation.'"
Screengrab of excerpt from a Truthout op-ed: "Right-wing brainwashing can only take place in a truth vacuum. As author and journalist Lewis Raven Wallace describes in The Objective, “fascist leaders thrive on an ill-informed public.” Wallace, citing long-time abolitionist leader Andrea Ritchie, notes that movement journalism’s “purpose zero” is “to challenge fascism and authoritarianism by fighting disinformation.” This terrain of journalism is explicitly anti-authoritarian. Its goal is not only speaking truth in the face of rampant fascist propaganda, but also strategically countering that propaganda, engaging and rallying readers to push back, and spreading the word about resistance so more people can join in."
December 19, 2025 at 7:40 PM
interruptcrim.bsky.social
If you're concerned or have questions about the latest proposed regulations (attacks) on gender-affirming care, our Beyond Do No Harm Network just sent out a newsletter that has some helpful clarifying points and resources: mailchi.mp/interrupting...
"The federal government is attempting to wield its funding power through the Medicaid program in a patently cruel and discriminatory manner to deny a particular kind of care to a particular group of people (notably, non-consensual medical interventions for intersex children and gender affirming care for non-trans youth would not be affected). Even the federal government admits in its proposed rules that it cannot regulate the provision of medical care through Medicaid rules. Instead, it seeks to argue that gender affirming care for trans youth is not a valid form of medical care, and limit its provision to as many young people as possible. Individuals and organizations are being invited to submit public comment in opposition to the proposed regulations through a portal created by the Human Rights Campaign in order to protect privacy and retain anonymity if desired. Commenters wishing to retain anonymity should also consider using a VPN to submit their comments even if doing so anonymously through a third party portal. National organizations and associations of providers plan to challenge the proposed regulations in court, and providers throughout the Network will continue to strategize, collaborate, and collectively organize to ensure that trans youth receive all forms of care they need and deserve."
December 18, 2025 at 11:36 PM
interruptcrim.bsky.social
While many of us are feeling exhausted amid the relentless assaults of the past year, @dreanyc123.bsky.social reminds us that at the same time, there is also much "to inspire and galvanize us in the creativity, commitment, and courage we have collectively found and shown in resistance...Onward!" 🌱💜
Art by Olly Costello featuring the words "despair will not have me" in all caps red text and a colorful, glowing white flowering plant with blue leaves, emerging from a dark background of brown and black leaves.
December 17, 2025 at 7:54 PM
interruptcrim.bsky.social
Our co-founder @prisonculture.bsky.social is co-organizing a toy drive. If you can, please support and share with others! If you are based in NYC, you can also drop off toys and gifts in person on 12/18 and 12/19.

Check out the donations list for:
🎁Teen Gifts: amzn.to/4rDn7BG
🎁Toys: bit.ly/48pJUrK
A festive dark green flyer for a toy drive features images of toy blocks, a wooden horse, and a toy truck, with "Toy Drive" and "Help us collect toys and gifts for the Holiday Season" in bright blue and white text centered at the top. Below, it lists gift drop-off dates, address, an online link, and a giveaway event, with the logo for "Another World" in bright text in the bottom right.
December 10, 2025 at 8:09 PM
interruptcrim.bsky.social
The Philippine archipelago has a lot to teach about transnational circuits of domination & resistance in constant motion between Global North & Global South. This includes frameworks of incarceration and abolition that have moved between the Philippines and the U.S. Read more on p. 50 of the report!
Graphic featuring "Case Study #3. Informality as Evasion. Abolitionist Relationship Building Against Philippine Authorities" in dark purple writing, on a pale purple background. Below are two vertical black and white photos. The photos (and caption below) depict: "Photos and images in the case study show mutual aid food and supply distribution events and political education sessions hosted by ABOLISYON! and their collaborators"
December 8, 2025 at 8:52 PM
interruptcrim.bsky.social
🗓️Tomorrow, Dec. 9 at 8 PM ET/Dec. 10 at 9 AM Manila time: Join us & @abolisyon.bsky.social for the final webinar in our Transformative Justice Under Authoritarianism series! We'll be discussing strategies for resisting criminalization and organizing under authoritarianism. Register: bit.ly/event-pt3
Event flyer featuring “Transformative Justice Under Authoritarianism," "December 9 at 8-9:30 PM ET," and "Live captioning" in bold black text on green, yellow, and pink boxes, above and next to a drawing of mushrooms and roots in black, with green, yellow, and pink lightning bolts. Small black text reads: "Interrupting Criminalization with Abolysion." "Join us for the final session in the series with organizers from the Philippines who have been advancing transformative justice within criminalized communities in the face of authoritarianism."
December 8, 2025 at 8:37 PM
interruptcrim.bsky.social
Join Interrupting Criminalization and ABOLISYON! for the final webinar in our Transformative Justice Under Authoritarianism Series on Dec. 9th at 8 pm ET / December 10 at 9 am Manila time.

Register at bit.ly/event-pt3!
December 2, 2025 at 7:34 PM
interruptcrim.bsky.social
We're in a moment where people are hoping that some form of criminalization of the president will happen and stop the conditions we're enduring, or appealing to the literal cops to serve as a counter to ICE—but a reminder from @dreanyc123.bsky.social: criminalization is not gonna get us out of here.
Black text in a white rounded-edge box, surrounded by a purple gradient frame. The text shares a quote from Andrea J. Ritchie: "Criminalization is a political process that serves the interests of those in power. And so there is no way that the people who are engaging in the greatest acts of violence right now are going to be criminalized and stopped by criminalization because that’s not the purpose of it. Yet I see people continuing to hold on hope to the possibility that criminalization can stop what’s happening, instead of being the thing that’s fueling what’s happening."
November 27, 2025 at 4:11 PM
interruptcrim.bsky.social
New resource⚡️ Block it! Don’t Build It. Don’t Fill It. Don’t Fuel It.

A mini-toolkit to take action to slow down and disrupt the government’s kidnapping, detention, and deportation machine.

Info on strategies/tactics, ways to take action, and more:
www.interruptingcriminalization.com/block-it
Artwork by Monica Trinidad, featuring illustrated tan-colored text on a purple background: “Block It! Don't Build It. Don't Fill It. Don't Fuel It. How are YOU disrupting the ICE kidnapping, detention, & deportation machine?" In the middle are three rows of drawings in orange, tan, and black, depicting: a protest in front of a construction vehicle, transport vans and three Avelo Airlines planes, and hands holding and ripping apart money and a paper with "Palantir" on it.
November 21, 2025 at 3:53 PM
interruptcrim.bsky.social
Reaching out, connecting and coming together with others, and committing to collective care and action. There is no other way to navigate what we are experiencing.

Art by @ollycostello.bsky.social
Art by Olly Costello depicting a group of people wearing masks, standing together with their hands raised forward, some wearing kuffiyas and one person holding a Palestine flag. They are surrounded by plants and flowers below, and birds and stars above. Above and below the illustration is a quote by Ricardo Levins Morales: "What we do in connection makes the world."
November 12, 2025 at 9:25 PM
interruptcrim.bsky.social
If you're based in NYC and want to attend any of our Communiversity workshops this Saturday (on transformative justice, grief work as a movement tool, and decriminalizing and supporting Black girlhood) or next, please register ASAP!

In-person in Brooklyn, sliding scale. Links in this thread:
On an orange background, white or yellow text, with "November 1 in NYC" highlighted at the top. "Do you want to learn more about Transformative Justice, and build and practice skills to address harm and violence without relying on punishment or the criminal legal system? Join us in NYC on November 1 for this workshop:"  Below this, a yellow box with black text: "Addressing Harm Beyond Punishment: Transformative Justice Skill-Building. Facilitated by Camila Pelsinger. November 1 / 11 AM to 4 PM. Snacks at 12:30 PM." At the bottom is the URL "bit.ly/communiversity2025" On an orange background, white or yellow text, with "November 1 & 8 in NYC" highlighted at the top. "Are you interested in better understanding and processing grief, and learning how to practice grief work to reject the erasure of our collective losses at the hands of white supremacy, capitalism, and the police state? Join us in NYC on November 1 & 8 for this 2-part workshop:" Below this, a yellow box with black text: "Grief Work as a Movement Tool. Facilitated by Eskedar Girmash. November 1 & 8 / 11 AM to 1:30 PM. Snacks at 12:30 PM." At the bottom is the URL "bit.ly/communiversity2025" On an orange background, white or yellow text, with "November 1, 8 & 15 in NYC" highlighted at the top. "Want to explore and discuss respectability, anger, queerness, sexuality and community through the framework of (W)Ratchetness and Black Feminism, and develop tools to better know yourself and support the thriving of Black girls and women? Join us in NYC for this workshop (you do not have to be able to attend all 3 sessions to register/join):" Below this, a yellow box with black text: "Decriminalizing Black Girlhood: Let Black Girls Be (W)Ratchet! Facilitated by Mayannah Beauvoir & Lee Peterson. November 1, 8 & 15 / 1 to 3:30 PM." At the bottom is the URL "bit.ly/communiversity2025" On an orange background, white or yellow text, with "November 8 in NYC" highlighted at the top. "Do you love rap music, rhythm, and expression, and want to not only learn how to break it down bar by bar, but explore how it can reflect truth and culture, reclaim stories, and nurture resistance and liberation? Join us in NYC on November 8 for this engaging workshop:" Below this, a yellow box with black text: "From Bars to Books: Deconstructing Modern Rap, Reconstructing Reality. Facilitated by Drewlina J. November 8 / 11 AM to 4 PM. Snacks at 12:30 PM." At the bottom is the URL "bit.ly/communiversity2025"
October 30, 2025 at 8:56 PM
interruptcrim.bsky.social
This is also why we've been organizing with health care workers through our Beyond Do No Harm Network—workers can and should refuse to participate in criminalizing and harming people in the context of care. Our co-founder @dreanyc123.bsky.social discusses this in this @deathpanel.bsky.social episode
Graphic featuring a quote from Andrea J. Ritchie, on an orange wavy background: "We're working to expand the concept of criminalization so people can see coercive medical interventions, even if they're not coerced by a cop or a prison or the state in some way—are still criminalizing processes and practices. We are trying to envision and imagine and practice our way to a revolutionary approach to care that has care NOT criminalization at its center, which requires us to look beyond what we traditionally see as criminalization." At the bottom is a logo for Beyond Do No Harm.
October 29, 2025 at 8:28 PM
interruptcrim.bsky.social
🗓️This Saturday, Oct. 25th is Youth Day at Communiversity! We're offering 5 different FREE, in-person workshops for young people in NYC. If you know a young person ages 14-17 based in NYC, invite them to sign up today! www.interruptingcriminalization.com/communiversi...
Event flyer for Communiversity Youth Day, featuring a black line drawing of young people engaged in reading, discussing, and learning, highlighted yellow and on an orange background. Below on a yellow rectangle, black text with details about the event, and a QR code: "free + open to youth 14-17. prizes. connect to community. joyful activism! The workshops: The Circle Keepers’ Whose Voice? Our Voice! Bread Riot: How Food Connects To Power From Barricades Into Flowers: Abolitionist Artmaking Centering Authenticity, Connection, And Community Intro To Zine Making: Independent Publication For Radical Self Expression, Connection, And Community Prizes! Care space! Resource Block Party! Saturday 10.25.25 11am-4pm Youth ages 14 to 17, based in NYC, are invited to apply for these workshops. These workshops are NOT for adults. In order to attend sessions, young people will need to bring a signed waiver from a guardian or parent. RSVP today! bit.ly/ic-youthday25"
October 21, 2025 at 7:54 PM
interruptcrim.bsky.social
The full event description in ASL is available here: youtu.be/MJx5GPeIwNc?...

That description, as well as registration form questions, in ASL are linked on our registration page here: form.jotform.com/252614841071...
October 17, 2025 at 9:14 PM
interruptcrim.bsky.social
We've had a number of requests, so we are *extending* our registration deadline to October 20th for our 2-day virtual convening, Abolition Means ALL Carceral Spaces: www.interruptingcriminalization.com/events/all/a...

Live captioning, ASL/Spanish interpretation, large print materials provided.
Event graphic with blue all caps text on a light green background: "ABOLITION MEANS *ALL* CARCERAL SPACES." Below this are a grey box and an outline box, each with black text: "A two-day virtual convening of abolitionist organizers and others working to interrupt criminalization in the context of care. Register by October 20." "October 28-29: 1-6:30 PM ET / 12-5:30 PM CT / 11 AM-4:30 PM MT / 10AM-3:30 PM PT each day." Small text at the bottom: "Live captioning, Spanish and ASL interpretation, and large print visual materials will be provided."An image of a chain breaking atop a blue circle is in the upper right corner, and small logos for Interrupting Criminalization, the Beyond Do No Harm Network at Interrupting Criminalization, Disability Project at Transgender Law Center, and Community Justice Exchange are in the top left. Event graphic with blue all caps text on a light green background: "LA ABOLICIÓN SIGNIFICA QUE TODOS LOS ESPACIOS CARCELARIOS " Below this are a grey box and an outline box, each with black text: "un encuentro virtual de dos días con organizadores abolicionistas y otras personas que trabajan para interrumpir la criminalización en el contexto del cuidado. Regístrese antes del 20 de otubre." "Octubre 28-29: 1-6:30 PM hora del este / 12-5:30 PM hora central / 11 AM – 4:30 PM hora de las montañas / 10 AM – 3:30 PM hora del pacífico, cada día." Small text at the bottom: "El encuentro contará con subtítulos en vivo, interpretación al español y lenguaje de señas estadounidense y materiales visuales en letra grande."An image of a chain breaking atop a blue circle is in the upper right corner, and small logos for Interrupting Criminalization, the Beyond Do No Harm Network at Interrupting Criminalization, Disability Project at Transgender Law Center, and Community Justice Exchange are in the top left.
October 17, 2025 at 9:10 PM
interruptcrim.bsky.social
🗓️Fri., Oct. 24 5-6:30 PM ET: Join @dreanyc123.bsky.social, @rayacheson.bsky.social & moderator @xarnesonx.bsky.social for a Zoom panel on "Making the Case for Abolition" as a visionary, necessary approach to dismantling systems of violence—at the #NoWar2025 conference: worldbeyondwar.org/nowar2025/
Event graphic for the event "Panel: Making the Case for Abolition," featuring white text on a dark brown gradient background, and three circle photos of the event speakers: Andrea J. Ritchie, Ray Acheson, and B. Arneson (moderator). At the top is the logo and information for the #NoWar2025 Conference: Exploring Abolition Movements, October 24-26 on Zoom. In the top two corners are the logo for WorldBeyondWar.org and US Peace Memorial.
October 16, 2025 at 7:58 PM
interruptcrim.bsky.social
Looking to do some reading this weekend? Check out our Beyond Do No Harm reading guide, which shares articles, books + more for anyone wanting to dive deeper into topics around criminalization of care or providing care for criminalized populations: www.interruptingcriminalization.com/resources-al...
Graphic featuring a small thumbnail of a one-page resource, and text on a background composed of a tan and a dark blue column. The text reads: "Beyond Do No Harm Abolitionist Health Care "Back to School" Reading Guide. for anyone who wants to learn more & dive into topics around criminalization of care or providing care for criminalized populations." At the bottom, the URL "bit.ly/BDNHBackToSchool." A light drawing of a stethoscope is to the left of the resource.
October 10, 2025 at 11:44 PM
interruptcrim.bsky.social
🗓️ Oct. 16 at 1 PM ET in Philadelphia: Our co-founder @dreanyc123.bsky.social will be joining others on a panel at the CenterLink Leadership Summit, "Still Loving, Still Fighting: LGBTQ+ Traditions of Resilience, Organizing, and Mutual Aid."

Learn more and join: www.lgbtqcenters.org/CenterLink/S...
Screenshot of event webpage text: "Thursday, October 16th Still Loving, Still Fighting: LGBTQ+ Traditions of Resilience, Organizing, and Mutual Aid 1:00 PM – 2:15 PM Wyeth Ballroom Description: As we face roll backs in civil rights protections and health access, new pressures from anti-LGBTQ and anti-trans legislation, and increasing rates of violence and harassment, what can be learned from previous models for building community power? In this session our panelists reflect on their experiences with intersectional movements for liberation, survival, and visibility to draw out strategies that might help us shape responses to current struggles. Join us as we delve into stories from ACT UP and health justice, abolitionist organizing, LGBTQ+ communities in Latin America, and initiatives for trans justice to explore the lessons that live in our collective history of courage and resilience. Speakers: Kris Hayashi, ACLU Wilfred Labiosa, Waves Ahead Corp, CEO/President Andrea Ritchie, Interrupting Criminalization, Co-Founder Jose Demarco, Black and Brown Community Control of Health, Founder Priy Jindal, Mosaic Medical LGBTQ+ Program, Nurse Practitioner"
October 8, 2025 at 7:32 PM
interruptcrim.bsky.social
October 25th: We are offering 5 different workshops for young people ages 14-17, based in NYC. These are completely free and will take place in-person, 11 AM-4 PM ET (with a snack break).

If you are or know a young person, invite them to sign up! www.interruptingcriminalization.com/communiversi...
Event flyer for Communiversity Youth Day, featuring a black line drawing of young people engaged in reading, discussing, and learning, highlighted yellow and on an orange background. Below on a yellow rectangle, black text with details about the event, and a QR code: "free + open to youth 14-17. prizes. connect to community. joyful activism! The workshops: The Circle Keepers’ Whose Voice? Our Voice! Bread Riot: How Food Connects To Power From Barricades Into Flowers: Abolitionist Artmaking Centering Authenticity, Connection, And Community Intro To Zine Making: Independent Publication For Radical Self Expression, Connection, And Community Prizes! Care space! Resource Block Party! Saturday 10.25.25 11am-4pm Youth ages 14 to 17, based in NYC, are invited to apply for these workshops. These workshops are NOT for adults. In order to attend sessions, young people will need to bring a signed waiver from a guardian or parent. RSVP today! bit.ly/ic-youthday25"
October 7, 2025 at 6:59 PM