Orange Is The New Black launches real-life Poussey Washington Fund to say goodbye to series

Orange Is The New Blacks creators have launched a real-life fund in honour of fallen character Poussey Washington to say goodbye to the series.

The Poussey Washington Fund has been established to honour the series and help those in real-life who need help, raising money for a series of non-profits in the US.

The new initiative, which is inspired by the events of the seventh and final season of the series, will see money raised go to charities focusing on criminal justice reform, immigrant rights and supporting women who have previously been incarcerated get back on their feet.

Poussey Washington passed away on the series back in 2016, after being killed by a prison officer who pinned her down to the floor and cut off her ability to breathe.

The incident was a direct response to the 2014 passing of Eric Garner, who was killed by police officers who strangled him to death while trying to restrain him.

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Announcing the project, Netflix released a video with castmembers meeting former prisoners and revealing what they plan to go with the series legacy.

Speaking of the initiative, creator Jenji Kohan said: Through the Poussey Washington Fund, our characters can live on and continue to make an impact after the show has come to an end.

Taystee recognized an opportunity to make a difference for her fellow inmates, and we saw no reason why we couldnt launch our own initiative to have an effect in the real world.

Samira Wiley, who played the ill-fated and much-loved character, returned in the video to talk about the new initative, and said: We have seen how much Orange Is The New Black has impacted you and people all over the world.

Now we want to continue that impact long after the show is over by launching the Poussey Washington Fund.

We have been honoured to tell these stories of these characters, and weve learned first hand that the system is failing women both inside and outside of prison walls.

So the Poussey Washington Fund will help all of us. Keep the orange legacy living on far after the show is over.

You can donate to the fund here.

More: Netflix

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In season seven, Taystee, who was given life imprisonment after being set up for her best friends murder, launches a charity in Pousseys name to give micro-loans to convicts as they re-establish themselves back in the real world.

The new fund will benefit: A New Way of Life: Reentry Project, Anti Recidivism Coalition, College & Community Fellowship, Freedom For Immigrants, Immigrant Defenders Law Center, The National Council for Incarcerated and FormerRead More – Source