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Vidal Guzman was a troublemaker as a young kid in Harlem. His knack for stick-ups and robberies landed him in Rikers Island at the age of 16. When he went back at the age of 19 he was a member of the Bloods Gang. While he spent years in Rikers before serving his time in prison he was subject to inhumane conditions by not only the other inmates but by the faculty and the state of the facilities. Once he got out for good he became an organizer working to shut Rikers down for good. He’s here to tell us about his experience on the island and the SUCCESSFUL campaign he’s been a part of!

Go Support Vidal!

Organization: https://www.americaontrialinc.org/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/iamvidalguzman/?hl=en

To donate to AOT visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/AmericaOnTrialFundraiser/donate?ucdirect=1

00:00:00 - Surviving Rikers Island

00:07:34 - Criminal Upbringing and Family Influence

00:14:51 - Living in Washington Heights 

00:22:40 - From the Hood Vikings to the Bloods

00:30:19 - The Beginning of Neighborhood Protection

00:37:56 - Growing Up in a Dangerous Neighborhood

00:45:39 - Introduction to Rikers Island

00:53:27 - The Rocking Spots and Gang Violence at Rikers Island

01:01:12 - Survival in the Violence of the Streets

01:09:25 - Surviving In Jail

01:16:46 - Facing Harassment and Trouble with the Law

01:24:30 - Life in the Hood and Joining the Bloods

01:32:11 - Bloods and Street Organization

01:40:12 - Discussing parole and probation violations

01:48:17 - The Phone Business in Prisons and its Dangers

01:56:00 - Violent Incidents on Rikers Island

02:04:06 - Life in Gangs and Solitary Confinement

02:12:08 - Losing Good Time and the Impact on Parole

02:19:56 - Violations and Dangers of Rikers Island

02:27:45 - Closing Rikers and the Impact

02:35:46 - Sponsorship Announcement

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