[center][sup][img]https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FwCxexSWwAAjXUC?format=jpg&name=large[/img][/sup][/center][center][sup][sup][h3][b]A N   R V N   W O R L D   N E W S   S P E C I A L   R E P O R T[/b][/h3][/sup][/sup][/center][hr][b][u]May 15th 2023[/u]
[sub]1 RVN Centre
Atlanta, GA[/sub][/b][hr]

Good evening, RVN viewers. Today, we commemorate the 6th anniversary of the completion of The Raft, the maximum-security prison constructed to house the world's most dangerous criminals with superhuman abilities. Situated off the coast of Ryker's Island, The Raft has proven to be a critical tool in the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to keep our communities safe and free from crime. The facility faced significant opposition in its early days, with calls to prevent its construction coming from all sides of the political spectrum, chiefly from human rights watchdogs and from conservative advocates of decreased government spending. Despite this, the project went ahead and six years on, it's hard to consider it to be anything short of a resounding success. Boasting a virtually unheard-of 0% escape rate for prisoners, The Raft has ensured that our communities remain safe from super-powered criminals.

The prison currently houses approximately 600 prisoners, each possessing powers and abilities deemed too dangerous for an ordinary penitentiary. One such resident, and a prime example for the need of this facility, is Magneto, real name Erik Lehnsherr. This infamous mutant terrorist was the leader of the group known as 'The Acolytes' and possesses the mutant ability to control metal. Understandably, such abilities would prove a minefield were he to be jailed in a regular prison.

Following the devastating [i]M-Day[/i] attack of 2018, government contractor Trask Industries got to work on a seemingly impossible feat: building a plastic prison to house the ferrokinetic Lehnsherr. Buried deep beneath The Raft's surface, his bespoke cell is a technical marvel, serving to cut off his access to his powers by replacing all metal with perfectly harmless plastic.

Magneto is just one of many dangerous individuals within The Raft's walls who pose a significant threat to society if left unchecked. With ongoing support from lawmakers such as Senator Robert Kelly, we can expect to see continued progress in the fight against superhuman crime.

Earlier today, RVN News had the opportunity to speak with Kelly, one of the early backers of the programme, and a vocal figure among the growing movement to push for stricter restrictions on the growing mutant population.

"Six years ago, The Raft was a large but necessary step in our fight against the dangerous individuals who threaten our way of life, and this is as true today as it was then," Kelly began. “The first-of-its-kind facility is a testament to American ingenuity and it has allowed us some much needed breathing room in this conflict. However, we cannot rely solely on containment to keep our communities safe. It's clear that we need to do more to be able to react to growing rates of super powered criminals and the mutant phenomenon."

The senator continued, "We need to invest in further research and technology that can help us identify and neutralize these threats before they can do us harm. This means working with experts in the field of superhuman abilities, such as the capable scientists at Trask Industries, to examine the risks we face and develop strategies to mitigate them. It also means providing resources and support for law enforcement, to better identify and respond to superhuman crime, and growing instances of mutant activity. This is why it is so important that my MRD Bill is signed into law."

The Mutant Response Division Act, as proposed, would mandate the creation of a new federal agency, the MRD, which would be responsible for responding to mutant threats. When asked about potential criticisms of these measures, Senator Kelly responded, "I understand that some may see these efforts as invasive or discriminatory towards mutants. However, our ultimate goal is to protect all members of society, human and mutant. By working together we can create a safer and more just future for all."


Following Senator Kelly's comments, RVN News was able to secure an interview with Professor Charles Xavier, mutant rights activist, and founder of the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning. Known for his failed 1984 presidential bid, Xavier has been a vocal detractor of The Raft since its inception. He was happy to address his concerns about The Raft's legacy with us today:

"The Raft does not offer rehabilitation, nor any true path towards redemption," he explained, “This facility’s sole purpose is the incarceration of these super powered individuals. But incarceration alone does not solve the core problem."

Professor Xavier, a well-known advocate for mutant rights, was the target of what is now believed to have been a coordinated assassination attempt, in the same year as the prison’s completion, which left him reliant on the use of a wheelchair.

He emphasized that investing in prevention is crucial. 

"While The Raft has been effective in containing dangerous individuals, it's a solely reactive measure. We need to focus on prevention by addressing the root causes of criminal behaviour," he stated.

When asked what measures he would favour to stem the tide of super powered violence, Professor Xavier shared his work with mutants as an example. "At the Xavier Institute, we help mutants control and understand their abilities. We teach them how to harness their powers, to use them for good, instead of resorting to violence or criminal activity," he explained. However, he emphasized that this approach requires resources and support. “It is my great wish that other such facilities such as mine be created, to give our mutant children the best chance to flourish. For this to happen there would need to be a push for greater government funding for research, education, and outreach to the mutant community," he said. “We can’t do it alone.”

“By creating a society that values and supports mutants, rather than punish them for the crime of existing, we can prevent the isolation and desperation that so often leads to criminal activity."

As RVN News commemorates The Raft's 6th anniversary, it is clear that the conversation around the facility's legacy and mutant rights is far from over.