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Criminal Justice

A Black woman with long hair speaks angrily
Akiba Solomon  Jun 16, 2017 6:03PM EDT

Philando Castile's Mom, Valerie: 'I'm Mad As Hell Right Now, Yes I Am!'

On the heels of the not-guilty verdict for the former police officer who fatally shot her son, Valerie Castile blasts the "free reign" of law enforcement with "no regard for human life."
Little Black girl, words: "National Bail Out."
Kenrya Rankin  Jun 14, 2017 4:40PM EDT

#EndMoneyBail Movement Continues With Three June National Days of Action

Two dozen advocacy groups hope to bail out people who are stuck in jail awaiting trials.
Prison corridor
Kenrya Rankin  Jun 9, 2017 3:50PM EDT

Here's Why New York City's Pension Program Just Divested From Private Prisons

“Society used mass incarceration as an economic development strategy at the expense of communities of color. Today, we’re taking action.”
Karyna Jaramillo, a transgender activist from Cuernavaca, México, who fights for immigrant and LGBTQ communities in Maricopa County, Arizona.
Tiye Rose  Jun 9, 2017 11:08AM EDT

[VIDEO] This Trans Latina Immigrant Activist Won't Let Her Identity Stop Her From Protecting Her Community

In another segment of a five-part video series featuring immigration activists in Maricopa County, Arizona, Karyna Jaramillo struts her truth—even if law enforcement refuses to acknowledge it.
Black women
Kenrya Rankin  Jun 9, 2017 10:56AM EDT

REPORT: Black Women Should Be Thriving, But Racism and Sexism

Contributor and Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza: “Ultimately, we aim to contribute to that movement by ensuring that Black women are at the center of an economy and a democracy that works for all of us.”
Crowd of protestors, one holds sign that says, "I am an immigrant. Ask me how to make America great again."
Kenrya Rankin  Jun 7, 2017 11:30AM EDT

This Study Found That as Immigration Increases, Violent Crime Decreases

Researchers examined crime rates in California, where the majority of residents are people of color.
A shadow is cast of a cell door of a male prison on March 15, 2017, in Wrexham, Wales.
Yessenia Funes  Jun 2, 2017 2:24PM EDT

READ: How Prisons Are Affected By Climate Change

Across the country, incarcerated men and women's lives are in danger as a result of facilities' environmental violations.
Marlon Peterson. Black man on a stage.
Kenrya Rankin  May 31, 2017 2:37PM EDT

WATCH: Marlon Peterson Breaks Down Why America Must Invest in the Formerly Incarcerated

The criminal justice reform advocate’s newly-released Ted Talk is titled “Am I Not Human?”
Balck boys through bus window, police officer outside bus.
Kenrya Rankin  May 24, 2017 10:29AM EDT

READ: Criminal Defense Attorneys on the Policing of Black Boys

Angela J. Davis and Kristin Henning explain how the policing of Black boys leads to the conditioning of Black men in a new op-ed for NPR’s Code Switch.
Black woman in black dress holds gold award statue behind brown podium with black microphone in front of orange and black wall
Sameer Rao  May 23, 2017 10:42AM EDT

ICYMI: This Passage From Ava DuVernay's Peabody Speech Sums Up Why We Must End Mass Incarceration

DuVernay won a Peabody Award for her documentary, "13th," which examines the relationship between contemporary mass incaraceration and slavery.
Kenrya Rankin  May 17, 2017 5:58PM EDT

LIVESTREAM: Criminal Justice Reform Panel Features Melissa Harris-Perry, Michael K. Williams

Academics, advocates, formerly incarcerated people and more will unite to talk about the current state of criminal justice in America.
Deepa Iyer  May 17, 2017 6:14AM EDT

UPDATE: U.S. Government Extends Temporary Protected Status for Haitian Nationals For 6 More Months

Temporary protected status will last six more months for 58,000 Haitian immigrants in the United States. The loss of this immigration protection could lead to deportation to a country that continues to struggle with the impact of two earthquakes and a devastating cholera epidemic.
White man in black suit and white shirt stands in front of blurry brown background
Sameer Rao  May 16, 2017 5:08PM EDT

ICYMI: Criminal Justice Orgs Denounce Jeff Sessions' Mandatory Minimums Directive

Activists and advocacy groups say the attorney general's latest sentencing order fuels the War on Drugs at the expense of communities of color.
Deepa Iyer  May 12, 2017 7:08AM EDT

This Mother’s Day, Let's Honor Our Mamas With Actions That Reflect the Radical Roots of the Holiday

Keeping in mind the spirit of its origins, we offer you a range of ways to do good on Mother's Day.
Sign reads "Bail Bonds" behind chain-link fence
Kenrya Rankin  May 11, 2017 1:50PM EDT

REPORT: How the For-Profit Bail System Locks Black People in Debt

Rashad Robinson of Color Of Change: “Big insurance is raking in huge profits by putting a price on people’s freedom.”
Greyscale image of Black woman in light patterned tie, black-and-white-striped vest and black shirt in front of white background
Sameer Rao  May 5, 2017 12:39PM EDT

READ: Why Crime Survivors Who Refuse to Testify Should Not Be Jailed

New Orleans-based journalist Deborah Cotton died this week from wounds sustained during a 2013 shooting. Her new, posthumously published essay argues that incarcerating crime victims who won't testify feeds distrust between prosecutors and communities of color.
Woman, flanked by young men, holds sign that reads: "#SancturaryEverywhere."
Kenrya Rankin  May 4, 2017 12:45PM EDT

REPORT: Local Policies Often Make 'Sanctuary City' Label Meaningless

Fair Punishment Project’s Jessica Brand: “If mayors truly want to protect immigrants from deportation, they need to act swiftly to end harmful criminal justice practices that criminalize poverty.”
A closeup of marijuana leaves
Adam Lewis  Apr 25, 2017 12:06PM EDT

Why Weed Decriminalization Alone Won't Fix Racist Drug Enforcement

The City of Atlanta is considering fines instead of jail for recreational weed possession. But if decriminalization isn't coupled with new policies on arrest quotas, financial incentives and racial profiling, the main purpose of the change could go up in smoke. 
Activists—undocumented immigrants and their allies—hold their banner in solidarity with immigrants who are facing increased ICE detentions.
Yessenia Funes  Apr 20, 2017 3:49PM EDT

Immigrant Rights Action Ends in 3 Arrests in Michigan

Activists blocked a highway in lead up to the Day Without Immigrants strike set for May 1.
Black man in green hoodie and black baseball cap and black glasses seated next to Black man in blue hoodie and blue-and-orange flannel and navy hat at brown table with red, yellow and white condiments in front of brown wall
Sameer Rao  Apr 20, 2017 10:48AM EDT

4 Questions With Drug (Reform)-Loving Comic Duo, the Lucas Bros.

The twin stoner comedians lampoon Richard Nixon, the War on Drugs and more in their Netflix special out this week. In honor of 4/20, we spoke to Keith and Kenny about race, drug sentencing, legalization—and how their cameo in '22 Jump Street' may have saved their lives.