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Genis said that the potluck meals are almost viewed as “edible protests” against what the prisoners think are, put nicely, less-delicious options provided by the state.

“If the state meal is way of saying ‘you guys don’t deserve a real Thanksgiving,’ the prisoners meal is a way of saying ‘we do,’” he said.

“And the fact that people actually put aside their prejudices and share on this day, is really amazing. It’s like, 'wow, Thanksgiving actually works.' I always found it really touching.”

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