Committee on Witness to Society and the World and the Advocate for Justice Ministries
Criminal Justice
Two new resources provide information for those concerned with criminal justice:
  • The Independent Commission on New York City Criminal Justice and Incarceration Reform has released a report on the progress that has been made over the past year towards closing the dysfunctional jails on Rikers Island and improving the justice system. The report, A More Just New York City: One Year Forward, notes that “there has been real and tangible progress that suggests that the Rikers jails can be closed within a shorter period even than the Commission projected just one year ago. But there is much farther to go.”
  • Columbia University has released a report on technical parole violations entitled Less is More in New York: An Examination of the Impact of State Parole Violations on Prison and Jail Populations. Technical parole violations are acts that are not criminal offences such as failing to report for a scheduled office visit, missing a curfew, lack of employment or attendance at school, testing positive for drug or alcohol use, or contacting a victim or co-defendant. Too often returning citizens on parole are held in custody for technical parole violations with the result that they lose jobs and housing and have their efforts to reenter society disrupted.
 
Housing Justice
Of the nearly 29,000 households evicted in 2013 in New York City, it is estimated that half of them would not have lost their home if they were represented by a landlord-tenant lawyer. After years of advocacy, led by the   Right to Counsel NYC Coalition  New York is the first city to guarantee all tenants (up to 200% of the poverty line) a lawyer to represent them in housing court. Town Hall meetings are being held to share information about the right to counsel. Several have happened already. Two are upcoming:
  • Brooklyn Town Hall! Wednesday, April 18, 7-9pm, St. Francis de Sales School for the Deaf, 260 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11225. Food & Spanish/English Interpretation will be provided. RSVP here or contact Estefania at 347-669-9466 or estefaniatftc@gmail.com. More Info here. 
  • Staten Island Town Hall!! Saturday, April 21, 2-4pm, Faith United Methodist Church, 221 Heberton Ave. Food & Spanish/English Interpretation will be provided. RSVP here or contact Ketty at kettyt@hcanswers.org; 212-962-4795 x260. More info here. 
Neighborhood-based community organizing groups are doing outreach and trainings on the Right to Counsel (RTC).  Find  a group working on RTC in your borough, or  email  the coalition for more info. 
 
Immigration Justice
Sanctuary Symposium
Hebrew Tabernacle Synagogue
551 Fort Washington Ave.
New York, NY 10033
April 30, 2018
7pm-9pm

A group of community leaders, elected officials, members of the New Sanctuary Coalition, and others, are organizing an evening symposium on immigration in general and particularly the treatment of undocumented immigrants. The panel will include faith leaders, an immigration attorney, and an expert on immigration law.
 
Poor People’s Campaign
Campaign leaders gathered in Washington D.C. on April 10 to release a groundbreaking report and call to action.  Watch the powerful press conference here. The Souls of Poor Folk Audit  documents how Americans are impacted by systemic racism, poverty, militarism, ecological devastation, and a distorted morality. Along with the audit, the campaign released a  Moral Agenda Based on Fundamental Rights , which puts forth demands for   40 days of coordinated nonviolent direct action that will launch the campaign this Mother's Day.
 
Trainings for the nonviolent direct action are being offered around the country. Here is the information
 
The 35th Rabbi Marshall T. Meyer Retreat for Social Justice
Preparing for the Poor People’s Campaign
Wednesday, May 2, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Interchurch Center, 475 Riverside Drive 
 
The New York State Chapter of the Poor People’s Campaign , in partnership with the Interfaith Center of New York and the  Micah Institute  will host a conference for religious and civic leaders exploring practical strategies for nonviolent direct action rooted in the diverse faith traditions of our pluralistic society. Conference participants will gain a deeper understanding of their neighbors’ faith traditions, as well as practical skills for nonviolent direct action. Participants may apply these skills in the Poor People’s Campaign’s upcoming 40 Days of Moral Action, taking place nationwide from May 13 to June 21. Religious leaders and community activists from all backgrounds are welcome to participate. A suggested donation of $20 is requested to help pay for meals and conference expenses.  Register now .