On Sunday, June 1, Br. Rasheed Shabazz will compete in the “Escape from Alcatraz” triathlon. After the 1.5 mile swim from Alcatraz island to shore, so-called “escapees” will bike 18 miles and then run 8 miles through San Francisco. He was to use this raise to remind people of mass incarceration and raise funds for BBO to bail someone out. 

Alcatraz was a notorious federal prison on the frigid waters of the San Francisco Bay. The prison’s infamy and history of notorious escapes draws many to participate in the triathlon every year. But incarceration is not a thing of the past, there are still more than two million people who are currently locked up throughout this country. The Prison Industrial Complex has very real consequences for the people it holds captive, and Rasheed hopes to raise enough to bail out one person who is unable to escape from bondage on their own.

Alcatraz Island has been the subject of recent headlines due to a statement by the US president about returning it to a functioning prison. Alcatraz, which has been closed since 1963, is actually a site of struggle for Indigenous land rights. From 1969-1971, Indigenous revolutionaries occupied the Island, and brought international attention to the struggles of Indigenous people in the so-called United States. In many ways, Alcatraz exemplifies the United States’ existence as a settler colonial entity that requires mass incarceration to maintain power and control. 

While Bro. Rasheed is using the “escape” to raise funds to free someone from captivity, we can all find our own creative ways to collectively disrupt mass incarceration. This is one example of what it can look like to take care of our health and wellbeing, while connecting our individual efforts to a collective struggle through mutual aid.

Hear directly from Br. Rasheed — a journalist, educator, and long time BBO supporter —  on Wednesday, May 28, at 6pm PST, for a conversation on IG Live, where we will discuss his journey as an organizer, writer, and athlete. 

May we be inspired by his intentions and effort and help him reach this fundraising goal InshAllah!