Communities Not Cages Advocacy Day

January 26, 2026

From our allies at Communities Not Cages: On January 26, there will be Communities Not Cages' first advocacy day in Albany of 2026. With music, rallies, press conferences, and meetings with lawmakers, participants will powerfully demand action for #CommunitiesNotCages this year. Transportation and food provided. Please join and help turn folks out! RSVP here for the advocacy day.

Together, we'll demand passage of the Marvin Mayfield Act, Second Look Act, and Earned Time Act to overhaul New York's racist and unjust sentencing laws and bring our loved ones home.

To prepare for the day, please join our Advocacy Day Training on Thursday, January 22 at 6-7pm. Zoom link here. (Please try to make it if you can, but we will also send out a recording.)

Also, there is still a chance to register if you have friends, family, or colleagues who would like to join us! Ask them to RSVP here. You can also share the attached graphic on social media.

Schedule for the Day

Early: Travel to Albany from across the state

9:00-9:30 AM: Arrive in Albany and meet up at the Albany Room behind Prime on the Plaza

9:30-10:30 AM: Meet with lobby teams & prep, distribute materials

10:30-11 AM: March through the Concourse

11-12 PM: Go through security and head to the Million Dollar Staircase to prep for the rally/press conference

12:00-1:00 PM: Rally & press conference at the Million Dollar Staircase (Capitol, 3rd floor)

1:00-4:00 PM: Meetings with lawmakers and lunch (at Prime on Plaza)

3:30-4:00 PM: Debrief back at the Albany Room (for anyone who doesn’t have a conflicting meting)

4:00 PM: Depart from Albany (buses will pick up at Madison Avenue)

What can I expect? What should I bring?

Lunch and snacks will be provided for you.

Pack light. We will go through security to get into the legislative buildings.

Please wear comfortable shoes, as we will be doing a lot of walking. If you already have a Communities Not Cages shirt, please wear it! We will have extras to distribute in Albany. You can also wear your CCA t-shirt, another organization’s shirt, or whatever makes you comfortable.

Meetings with Lawmakers

Meeting schedules and teams coming closer to the date.