By Charisma Madarang
Fiona Apple released the music video for her new song, “Pretrial (Let Her Go Home),” featuring women impacted by pretrial detention.
In a statement, the singer-songwriter opened up about the inspiration behind her track. Apple said that during her time as a court watcher for over two years, she “took notes on thousands of bond hearings,” and observed “[t]ime and time again” as “people were taken away and put in jail, for no other reason than that they couldn’t afford to buy their way free.” The artist added that it was “particularly hard to hear mothers and caretakers get taken away from the people who depend on them.” She shared that for the past five years, she has been volunteering with the Free Black Mamas DMV bailout, and has witnessed “the stories of women who fought for and won their freedom with the tireless and loving support of the leadership.”
According to a press release, the video features photos and footage shared by women who were jailed despite a presumption of innocence simply because they couldn’t afford bail. Produced by Zealous and Special Operations Studios, the video “underscores the cold realities of the song, while showing thousands of images of everyday hope and freedom – warm photos and videos provided by women who’ve lived through pretrial detention, capturing family moments, personal accomplishments, and community bonding.” As Apple sings “Wouldn’t let them go/Wouldn’t let them go home” throughout the moving video, a story of lost wages, families ripped apart, and shame unfolds.
“I hope that this song, and the images shared with me, can help to show what is at stake when someone is kept in pretrial detention,” said Apple. “I give this song in friendship and respect to all who have experienced the pain of pretrial detention and to the women of the group’s leadership who have taught me so much and whom I truly love.”
To learn more about the anti-bail movement, as well as stories and images from survivors, and to watch a video message from Apple about the cause, visit LetHerGoHome.org. To donate directly to the movement, go here.
“Pretrial (Let Her Go Home)” marks Apple’s first new original song since the release of her 2020 album Fetch the Bolt Cutters.
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