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Hi Everyone! June 13, 2017
Thanks for supporting the work of the Transformative Justice Coalition (TJC)!
The Transformative Justice Coalition
is a nonpartisan, 501(c)(3)
nonprofit organization
, formed in 2015
by Renowned Civil Rights Leader Barbara R. Arnwine.
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IGNITING CHANGE ON “Inspiring Action: Fighting Ex-Felon Disenfranchisement by Restoring the Vote to the Returning Citizens!”
On Tuesday, June 13th, from 12:00-1:00 P.M. EDT, please join radio show Host
Barbara Arnwine,
Founder and President of
Transformative Justice Coalition (TJC), and her special guests:
Attorney
David Honig,
Special Counsel, Florida NAACP and President & Executive Director Emeritus of the Minority Media Telecommunications Council;
Benard Simelton,
President of the Alabama State Conference of the NAACP; and,
Caitlyn Cobb,
Editor of The Transformer, the Transformative Justice Coalition’s weekly e-newsletter. Barbara and her guests will focus on active legislative and initiative activities in Alabama, Florida and nationwide to address the impact of the major voter suppression of ex-felon disenfranchisement laws that currently block 6.1 million citizens from voting. This show is a follow-up to a two-edition special series on “Understanding Felon Disenfranchisement Laws & The Individuals Affected” published October, 2016, in The Transformer, the Transformative Justice Coalition’s weekly e-newsletter.
Nationwide 7% of the African American voting age population is barred from the franchise as a result of felon disenfranchisement laws. Returning Citizens, Formerly Incarcerated Persons, Ex-Felons are all terms used to designate those blocked from voting by disenfranchising laws and practices in the United States. Florida ranks #1 in the nation in disenfranchising formerly incarcerated persons with 1,541,602 citizens, 10.42% of the State’s population, 23% of all voting age African Americans, banned from voting. Fortunately, there is a new ballot campaign to garner 770,000 plus signatures by February, 2018, to place on the November, 2018 ballot an initiative to restore the vote. This initiative would automatically restore the right to vote to former felons, except those convicted of murder or felony sex offenses, after completing their prison sentence, parole or probation. The status of felon disenfranchisement in Alabama, is undergoing a needed change. Alabama ranks fifth in the nation with 262,354 ex-felons, 7.19% of the population and 15% of all voting age African Americans, prohibited from voting. On May 25th, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, signed into law, The Moral Turpitude Act, which provided for the first time since 1901 an uniform statewide definition of “moral turpitude.” The Southern Poverty Law Center estimates this act will restore the right to vote for thousands of African Americans in the State
This show will review the historic origins of felon disenfranchising laws and their current status nationwide. What is the political impact of these laws? What can you do to fight these laws? How can you become involved in helping the Florida ballot signature campaign? What is next for Alabama? What about Mississippi and Kentucky, ranked respectively #2 and #3 in the nation in disenfranchising ex-felons? Where are the promising restoration efforts nationwide? How can you help a friend, family member or others to have their voting rights re-established? These any many other questions will be explored during the show.
Be sure to listen on Tuesday, June 13th, 12:00-1:00 PM, EDT, in the DC Metro Region at WOL 1450 AM and on the Internet at www.BarbaraArnwine.com. A podcast of the show will be available Tuesday evening.
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*Please click on each guest's name for their bio and click on the show title for the complete show description. If you didn't get to listen live or to hear the show again, you can listen to the podcast on
BarbaraArnwine.com
on Tuesday after 8:00 P.M. Edt.
You can also catch up on key highlights from the show by searching "#IgnitingChange" on your Twitter or Facebook, or by scrolling down the timeline of our @TJC_DC Twitter or @TJC.DC Facebook accounts. We live tweet every show!
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
Understanding Felon Disenfranchisement Laws
& The Individuals Affected
By Caitlyn Cobb
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The Transformative Justice Coalition is committed to working with groups worldwide to combat felon disenfranchisement.
Written in October of 2016, "Understanding Felon Disenfranchisement Laws & The Individuals Affected" is a two-part Transformer original article examining felon disenfranchisement. Disenfranchisement is when you deny the right to vote to a person or group, or deny the right to vote through practices or policies. In America, an estimated 6.1 million people with past felony convictions are denied the right to vote in a practice known as felon disenfranchisement. For purposes of this two-part article, the author uses "felon disenfranchisement" as a broad-brush term to describe the state and federal laws that affect both those currently and formerly incarcerated, unless otherwise specified. The author also knows that there are many preferred terms for individuals with past felony convictions, such as "returning citizen", "ex-felon", and other terms such as, "citizen" and "resident". For purposes of this article, the author most commonly uses the term "individuals with past felony convictions", unless citing a quote or reference that uses a different term. References will be listed at the end of the article, with all quotes or references beginning with blue, underlined words that link to the source.
Part One of the article focuses on the recent felon re-enfranchisement efforts on the state ( most recently, Maryland, Virginia, and California) and federal levels, as well as provides information on the often confusing process of how those with past felony convictions may restore their right to vote. Part One hopes to clarify some of these misconceptions by exploring and explaining: individual stories of those affected by America's felon disenfranchisement laws; voting rights for individuals who are incarcerated; voting rights for the formerly incarcerated (individuals with past felony convictions); the fight to restore the vote by the states; and, the fight by Congress to restore the vote through legislation.
Part Two of the article is meant to be an informative overview of the past and current state of
felon
disenfranchisement in America, and around the globe. Part Two delves into the origins of
felon
disenfranchisement laws that stem from Greece; how
felon
disenfranchisement laws made their way to the United States in the 1600’s and evolved through the Revolutionary War; and, the exceptions and difficulties created by the 13th Amendment, the first and second sections of the 14th Amendment, and the 15th Amendment. The racist past of
felon
disenfranchisement is also be looked at in Part Two, including: why felonies became a broad-brush political tool to
disenfranchise Black voters; the origins of the American policing, and how it disproportionately affects African Americans; how Jim Crow laws came to be discriminatory
disenfranchisement laws; and, how
felon
disenfranchisement is the lasting effect of the Jim Crow Laws.
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DON'T MISS IT:
Join Us TONIGHT in the D.C. celebration of Susan Burton’s new book:
BECOMING MS. BURTON: FROM PRISON TO RECOVERY TO LEADING THE FIGHT FOR INCARCERATED WOMEN
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Because Justice Needs A Big Embrace
Calling all thought leaders and criminal justice reformers, advocates and change agents, crusaders of labor, health equity, philanthropy, women’s rights, civil rights, human rights...
Everybody’s rights! Join us to celebrate Becoming Ms. Burton and the launch of JustUS Voices Storytelling for Change℠. Susan Burton, described as the Harriet Tubman of our time, is the founder of A New Way of Life Re-Entry Project. ANWOL has collaborated with McKinney & Associates, to launch JustUS Voices Storytelling for Change℠ – a multimedia initiative aiming to transform the policy and public dialogue on mass incarceration through the lived experiences of formerly incarcerated women.
Reception: Tuesday, June 13 from 6-8 p.m. at Open Society Foundations, 1730 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages served.
Sponsored by McKinney & Associates
Hosted by The Justice Roundtable
RSVP Events@mckpr.com. Due to building security all attendees must RSVP by June 9!
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Review of the National Black Law Students Association's Joint Board Retreat
This review was sent to the Transformative Justice Coalition by Jeremy McLymont, 2016-2017 Director of Social Action for the National Black Law Students Association
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The National Black Law Students Association held its Joint Board Retreat at New York Law School at the beginning of the month, June 2-4, 2017. Over sixty regional and national NBLSA executive board members from all over the country convened to discuss leadership, professionalism, and advocacy. On Saturday, June 3, 2017, NBLSA provided the public with a seat for its advocacy panel via Facebook Live stream. The panel was entitled Raise the Age: Continuing the Work. It consisted of five extremely important activists including:
- Akeem Browder - Founder and Executive Director of The Kalief Browder Foundation;
- Paul Prestia, Esq. - Criminal Defense and Civil Rights Attorney, Represented Kalief Browder in his suit against the City of New York;
- Ifeoma Ike, Esq. - Founder of #SheWoke and co-laborer of My Brother’s Keeper Caucus and Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls;
- Porsha Sha’fon Venable, Esq. - Attorney at Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem; and,
- Aimee Carlise, Esq. - Attorney at The Bronx Defenders.
The Panelists discussed the pros and cons of New York’s Raise the Age Law which raised the age of criminal responsibility in NY. The panelists cleared up confusion about what the law has been portrayed as and what it actually is on the ground. The Panelists also provided insight on the litigation of cases involving minors in both criminal and family court. The impassioned panel convened well into the afternoon and received a standing ovation from the NBLSA members in attendance. Online, the panel received NBLSA’s highest level of engagement in history with over 4,000 views. The discussion ended with panelists providing the audience with plausible solutions and advocacy tools that they could implement in their own communities. NBLSA’s mission to increase the number of culturally responsible Black and minority attorneys is not just integral to its organization but to the movement as a whole. We must support the next generation of advocates at NBLSA to ensure the continued pursuit for social justice.
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Former FBI Director James Comey testified before the Senate on June 8, 2017
#ComeyDay
Reporting for The Transformer by: Caitlyn Cobb
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Comey Opening Statement For Senate Intelligence Hearing, ...
Former FBI Director James Comey's Opening Statement For Senate Intelligence Hearing was released publicly the day before his testimony, on Wednesday, June 7, 2017. This is his opening statement, analyzed and annotated by NPR journalists.
Read more
www.npr.org
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Comey Testimony: Highlights of the Hearing
A detailed and non-partisan assortment of highlights from former FBI Director James Comey's testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee on June 8, 2017.
Read more
www.nytimes.com
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Full Transcript and Video: James Comey's Testimony on...
Full Transcript and Video of Former FBI Director James Comey’s Testimony on Capitol Hill on June 8, 2017.
Read more
www.nytimes.com
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#StopSessions Update:
Information surrounding and about AG Jeff Sessions testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday, June 13th
Reporting by: Caitlyn Cobb
#SessionsDay
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June 6th: Attorney General Jeff Sessions suggested he could resign amid rising tension with President Trump
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Jeff Sessions suggested he could resign amid rising...
As the White House braced for former FBI Director Comey's testimony Thursday, sources told ABC News the relationship between President Trump and AG Sessions had become so tense that Sessions at one point even suggested he could resign.
Read more
abcnews.go.com
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June 8th-10th: AG Former FBI Director James Comey's testimony brings Attorney General Jeff Sessions under an additional cloud of scrutiny
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What Does the FBI Have on Jeff Sessions?
James Comey does not trust Jeff Sessions. That much was clear from Comey's testimony Thursday, during which the former FBI director said he decided not to tell the attorney general about a disturbing conversation he'd had with Trump-the one in...
Read more
www.slate.com
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Jeff Sessions Pushes Back On Parts Of Comey's Testimony
A spokesman for Attorney General Jeff Sessions late Thursday pushed back on several aspects of James Comey's Senate testimony after the former FBI director raised new questions about Sessions' actions before and after he recused himself from the...
Read more
talkingpointsmemo.com
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Amid growing controversy, Sessions abruptly cancels...
Attorney General Jeff Sessions was scheduled to testify publicly next Tuesday before the House and Senate appropriations committees. On Saturday, he abruptly canceled to instead testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee at an open hearing.
Read more
thinkprogress.org
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June 13th- What to expect at AG Sessions' testimony and how to watch it live
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What to expect from Attorney General Jeff Sessions'...
Jeff Sessions testifies: What to expect from Tuesday's Senate Intelligence Committee hearing.
Read more
abcnews.go.com
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AG Jeff Sessions is testifying before the Senate on...
Attorney General Jeff Sessions will be testifying before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on Tuesday, June 13, at 2:30 pm. The hearing will be open to the public and livestreamed on the Senate Intelligence Committee’s website.
Read more
www.vox.com
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The Transformative Justice Coalition (TJC) continues to call upon the Senate Judiciary Committee to hold additional hearings regarding Attorney General Sessions failure to disclose contacts with Russian officials. Also, we urge that he be questioned regarding his reversal of positions regarding voting rights cases, the Department of Justice's "Smart on Crime" programming, and his renewal of the "War on Drugs".
Read TJC’s press release opposing Attorney General Sessions’ Efforts to halt consent decrees here.
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#GorsuchUpdate
Justice Neil Gorsuch's first ruling shows strict use of language
Article by: Richard Wolf,; posted on June 12, 2017, via USA Today
Reporting for The Transformer by: Caitlyn Cobb
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Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch rules for debt...
WASHINGTON - Newly installed Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch followed the letter of the law in his first opinion Monday - and it caused him to rule in favor of debt collectors. In a lively, 11-page unanimous ruling, Gorsuch said a law passed...
Read more
www.usatoday.com
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You can donate by clicking the button below to help us fight the new wave of voter suppression.
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Most Americans are unaware of the new wave of 85 voter suppression measures that are moving or have passed in 30 state legislatures across the country...
Help Fight the New Wave of Voter Suppression!
TJC and the American voters need your support to educate, organize, and mobilize for an inclusive democracy!
No gift is too small to make a difference!
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UPCOMING BARBARA ARNWINE SPEAKING EVENTS
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June 30th-July 2nd, 2017- Orlando, Florida, National Organization for Women
- Recipient- Women of Action Award
July 20th-23rd, 2017- Memphis, Tennessee, speaker and panelist, Southern Christian Leadership Conference Annual Convention
July 25th, 2017- Baltimore, Maryland, Baltimore Convention Center, NAACP National Convention
- Moderator- Pathways to police Accountability: Strengthening Civilian Oversight Criminal Justice Reform Panel
August 3, 2017- Toronto, Canada, National Bar Association. panelist, Supreme Court Panel
September, 2017- Washington, D.C., The African American Women and the Law Conference
October 28, 2017- Oregon, Oregon State Bar Labor and Employment Sector Annual Conference Luncheon
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