Cecily McMillan on Prisons, Profit, Protest, and Privilege | Mickey Z.

Photo credit: Mickey Z.

Mickey Z. -- World News Trust

Nov. 16, 2014

“If you can wrap your mind around the reality that I’m a violent felon but still see me as a human being, then you have to do the same for everyone else.”

- Cecily McMillan

It’s far to early to access the legacy of Occupy Wall Street but, from my personal experience, one thing is undeniable: Crucial and enduring connections were made. It is thanks to OWS that I know Cecily McMillan and was thus able to have and share the conversation below.

Cecily is a graduate student at the New School for Social Research, a union organizer and a former Occupy Wall Street activist. On March 17, 2012, the six-month anniversary of the OWS encampment, McMillan was arrested, sexually assaulted, and beaten by members of the NYPD. Nonetheless, in Spring 2014, McMillan was unjustly convicted of felony assault of a police officer and faced seven years in prison.

Following an international leniency campaign, McMillan was sentenced to 90 days at the Rikers Island Correctional Facility. In July 2014, she was released on good behavior after serving 58 days.

Since her release, Cecily has organized and advocated for reform at Rikers and the abolition of mass incarceration at large. She is also writing a memoir of her journey towards activism, her participation in OWS, and her experience in jail.

Cecily and I recently met up in NYC’s Union Square Park to discuss some of these issues. Our conversation went a little something like this…

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