The Federal Bureau of Prisons suspended all visitation on March 13, 2020 and instituted a system-wide lockdown. As the COVID19 global pandemic swept around the world, infecting millions and claiming hundreds of thousands of lives by the end of the year, its impact was felt most acutely in United States prisons where social distancing was impossible. Safety and other precautions were not taken by prison administrators on the federal, state or local level.
By early April Sundiata tested positive for COVID19 and had to be rushed to the hospital. He was placed on an oxygen machine for several days before being discharged and then quarantined at the prison. His bout with the coronavirus resulted in the loss of 30 lbs., suffering fatigue and experiencing several other related symptoms.
This frightening health scare prompted an effort to secure Sundiata’s release by asking Governor Phil Murphy to use his executive power to free him. These letters exemplify the many requests made to the governor.
DG_AFJLetterGovMurphy_16July20NJ-Clergy-Letter-in-support-of-Sundiata-Acoli-to-Gov-Phil-Murphy-
Letter-for-Daddy-from-Sunni-and-Rita-Clark-Squire-aka-Sundiata-Acoli-1
ACLU-Ltr-to-Gov-Murphy-re-S-Acoli
Sundiata-letter-1
Peoples-Organization-for-Progress-Letter-6.16.2020
SA-letter-revised
Ltr-6-1-20-the-Hon.-Phil-Murphy-re-Acoli-Commutation
