Black Agenda Report
Black Agenda Report
News, commentary and analysis from the black left.

  • Home
  • Africa
  • African America
  • Education
  • Environment
  • International
  • Media and Culture
  • Political Economy
  • Radio
  • US Politics
  • War and Empire

Rikers Island, Slave Catching, and the Modern Carceral State
Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
07 Mar 2025
🖨️ Print Article

Black Agenda Radio · Rikers Island, Slave Catching, and the Modern Carceral State

Darren Mack is co-founder and co-director of Freedom Agenda, an organization devoted to decarceration and system transformation, including closing the Rikers Island jail. In commenting on New York City mayor Eric Adams' plan to allow ICE to operate on Rikers Island, Darren Mack pointed out the history behind the name. Richard Riker was a New York City judge who worked with slave catchers and the kidnappers who captured fleeing enslaved people and free Black New Yorkers to send them to slavery in the south. Darren Mack joins us from New York City to discuss this history, the need to close Rikers Island, and the historical connections with the modern-day carceral state.

Rikers Island
Incarceration
Slavery
New York City
Eric Adams

Related Podcasts

Carmella Charrington
Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
Deed Theft and Black Communities
22 May 2026
Leah Goodridge, a New York City-based attorney, housing advocate, and writer, is a memb
BAR Radio Logo
Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
Black Agenda Radio April 24, 2026
24 April 2026
In this week’s segment, we discuss the importance of including African-descended people in discussions around climate change and a just transition
Carmella Charrington
Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
Deed Theft and the Loss of Black Property
24 April 2026
Evangeline of the People’s Coalition to Stop Deed Theft, a grassroots New York City organiz

More Stories


  • Rising Tensions in Colombian Government Peace Talks with the ELN
    Peoples Dispatch
    Rising Tensions in Colombian Government Peace Talks with the ELN
    24 May 2023
    Colombia's president Gustavo Petro met with Afro-descendant, Indigenous and peasant communities affected by illicit crops and guerrilla and paramilitary groups in Colombia. Talks between the…
  • Sudan: The Left Welcomes Ceasefire, Calls for Involvement of Civil Society, Regional Institutions
    Pavan Kulkarni
    Sudan: The Left Welcomes Ceasefire, Calls for Involvement of Civil Society, Regional Institutions
    24 May 2023
    The Sudanese Communist Party has welcomed the ceasefire between the army and the Rapid Support Forces but has warned against monopolization of the peace process by US and Saudi Arabia. It has called…
  • Black Agenda Radio May 19, 2023
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Black Agenda Radio May 19, 2023
    19 May 2023
    How bail reform has been undermined by legislators in New York State and around the country, and New York City mayor Eric Adams’ response to the killing of Jordan Neely. But first we learn about the…
  • Haitian Flag Day and US Imperialism
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Haitian Flag Day and US Imperialism
    19 May 2023
    Dahoud Andre is a member of KOMOKODA, the Committee to Mobilize Against Dictatorship in Haiti.
  • Bail Reform Undermined in New York and Across the Country
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Bail Reform Undermined in New York and Across the Country
    19 May 2023
    Erin George is National Director of Policy for the Bail Project.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us