2nd Chances By Tyree Little

THE MOVEMENT magazine would like folks to know what’s happening with the men and women who were sentenced to LIFE without parole but were given a second chance. Lifers are considered to be throw-a-way people without hope; labeled incorrigible. We are asking those who have come home to share their experiences. We don’t expect to see that folks have won a Nobel Peace Prize, but after decades behind bars a job, marriage, self improvement, or new perspectives are things we see as accomplishments. Thank you Tyree Little (Big Hick, a returning citizen) for conducting these interviews. We look forward to seeing more from you.

Greetings! I’m back with another amazing interview as I promised to keep delivering. With so much going on in the world today I refuse to forget about the men and women behind enemy lines who’re still fighting for their freedom. These brothers and sisters need, and have, our support and love; know that you’re not in this fight alone. For this issue of ‘THE MOVEMENT’ I have the privilege to interview a woman who is very active in the fight for prisoners’ rights. I'm sure you all will enjoy her story while it could make you shed a few tears.

Tyree: Hello Cynthia. First let me say I appreciate your willingness to do this interview and I'm sure our readers will enjoy hearing your story. Instagram. And it has proven to be very productive in getting these messages about corruption to many people, including celebrities who follow my page. Tyree: Wow that's exciting! Congratulations on winning your freedom. So you had a life sentence, won your appeal and now fighting for the rights and freedom of others in prison. Why get involved with this sort of work since you are free? Cynthia: First of all, thank you. This question is emotional especially because, yes, I am free. But my eyes have seen so many injustices and my heart is still tide to my friends who are still suffering. So physically I am free, but spiritually I am not. Many of my mentors who taught me to hold my head high under extreme circumstances are still suffering. I think about them every day and it's hard to not become emotional to do this work for them. The “likes” I receive on Instagram are cool but it's not about being popular for me. It is about humans who are thrown away by our system. Tyree: Yes Sister I feel you. This is why I do the things I do, because my brothers and sisters need people like us to tell their stories to the world. So how have you been adjusting out here in this cruel world? How are you currently employed?

Cynthia: I am not currently employed; however, through Human Rights Coalition and Saleem I've been paid for talks and zooms. I have all also used my platform to do small promotions. I am a strong woman who knows how to survive with little, as I'm sure you can relate to. Coming home to the pandemic, Philadelphia did not help me at all with resources. I do receive food stamps which I'm extremely grateful for. And I was fortunate enough to have housing provided for me by Danny Garcia; I couldn't imagine not having a place to live. This new world does not communicate, people are living fast and losing the value of family. I believe this conditioning was intentional by our government to conquer and divide.

Cynthia: I appreciate the platform and I am extremely honored to share my story. This interview is my story but is also the story of many of my comrades I left behind. Thank you for the opportunity. Tyree: You're very welcome. So, let's start by telling our readers who you are and what type of work you do. Cynthia: My name is Cynthia Alvarado and I am an abolitionist, agitator, and advocate for the women I left behind. I am an ex-lifer who won my federal habeas petition on July 10th, 2019, after serving 12 years in prison. I do my work via

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Tyree: So as you know I served 21 years and in a men’s prison we go through a lot. Some men are physically mentally and verbally abused. How is it for women? Cynthia: I can say that I have a background of childhood trauma especially being from the Badlands. But I have never been so traumatized like I was in prison. As I have spoken about publicly, I was raped in the county jail in Philadelphia. I couldn't tell the prison officials about this crime committed against me, in fear of retaliation; I lived with that secret for years. I was always afraid when I went upstate that the same thing would occur. I contemplated suicide a lot; but, thoughts of my mother and daughters would stop me. I've known so many women who killed themselves upstate while in solitary confinement and in general population. All of these deaths could have been prevented, but they simply don't care about us. I've been called fat, threatened to be put over a wall simply for being Latina. I was called a bad mother; told I would never leave Muncy. The prison officials at Muncy were very racist and treated the white inmates better. Tyree: Hearing your story is going to be motivation to a lot of men and women, in and out of prison. I followed you on Instagram and was pleased to work with you on the SolidarityNotSolitary campaign. I feel like our sisters don't get enough support while they're behind enemy lines. But I hope this will change once the people see our interview. Sister, you are amazing and doing great work. Continue to do what you're doing. Is there any last things you would like to add before the conclusion of this interview? Cynthia: Meeting you was a blessing by God and our great friend and mentor Saleem who introduced us. You are also doing great work; and I respect the man you chose to be. Together we will fight until those gates of hell are torn down. I believe that God open the doors for me, so that I can tell the world that prison is not about rehabilitation, but about perpetuating a false narrative to the public, that people in prison are not capable of change. The real monsters are the politicians and the corrupt guards and administrators who cover the abuse they impose on people in prison. Thank you again Brother. Ten toes down. Tyree: You're welcome Sister and we will continue to fight because it is in us.

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