America On Trial Inc. (AOT) Executive Director Vidal Guzman was featured by WFUV Public Radio discussing the future of Rikers Island and the urgent need for community investment over incarceration. Drawing from his lived experience of being incarcerated at Rikers as a teenager, Guzman highlighted the human impact of the jail system and the importance of creating pathways to opportunity, healing, and public safety. His advocacy reflects AOT's commitment to advancing decarceration, community reinvestment, and justice-centered solutions for impacted communities.

On June 5, 2026, America On Trial Inc. joined Breath Door Comedy and Kendall Allison for a powerful community conversation exploring the connection between comedy, healing, and the movement to end mass incarceration.

The conversation highlighted how comedy can create space for healing, reflection, connection, and truth-telling, particularly in communities impacted by policing and incarceration.

On March 24, 2026, AOT Founder & Executive Director Vidal Guzman testified before the New York City Council’s Criminal Justice Committee during its Preliminary Budget Hearing.

Drawing from his lived experience with Rikers Island, Vidal called on the City to reduce its reliance on incarceration and invest more resources in communities impacted by the criminal justice system.

Our Executive Director, & Founder Vidal Guzman, was quoted in this powerful The Sunday Times of London article examining the crisis inside of Rikers Island in NYC.

October 20, 2024 — Dog in the Yard, Episode #126 with Vidal Guzman: In this one-hour interview, Pistol Pete sits down with Vidal Guzman, an abolitionist, entrepreneur, author, and criminal-justice reform advocate. Guzman discusses his upbringing in Harlem, his experience with incarceration as a teenager and five years in prison, and how those experiences shaped his work as Executive Director of America On Trial Inc. He also discusses his efforts to close Rikers Island, challenge mass incarceration and qualified immunity, and advocate for communities impacted by the criminal-justice system. The episode also highlights his work with #AIRS (Abolish Incarcerated Reality Shows) and his broader focus on transforming the narratives surrounding incarceration and formerly incarcerated people.

October 15, 2024 | Harlem, New York

On October 15, 2024, AOT Founder & Executive Director Vidal Guzman joined the #CampaignToCloseRikers for a powerful presentation to the congregation at Riverside Church in Harlem.

The conversation focused on the urgent need to close Rikers Island and create a safer, more just approach to public safety that invests in communities rather than incarceration.

The event provided an opportunity to share firsthand perspectives on incarceration and build community support for meaningful change.

Explore our Executive Director, Vidal Guzman, featured on Insider. He discusses what Rikers Island is truly like, shedding light on one of the world's most notorious jails. View on the Insider YouTube channel.

Published by the National Employment Law Project (NELP), this piece features Vidal Guzman, E.D. and Founder of America On Trial Inc., sharing his firsthand experience with prison labor and the exploitation of incarcerated workers. Guzman addresses forced labor, extremely low wages, and the need for fair wages and meaningful labor protections for people who are incarcerated.

Discover our Executive Director and Founder, Vidal Guzman, highlighted on youth today .