New ‘Beyond Cellblocks’ Webinar: Ending Police-ICE Collaboration

Throughout the country, local police have been partnering with immigration services, resulting in unfair targeting and treatment of people of color. On Tuesday July 1, join us for an important video discussion about ending collaboration between local law enforcement agencies and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In addition to educating participants on the police-ICE collaborationContinue reading “New ‘Beyond Cellblocks’ Webinar: Ending Police-ICE Collaboration”

New Video: Case Study of Colorado’s Consent-To-Search Policing Policy

In October 2013, the Alliance for a Just Society partnered with the Union Theological Seminary for a symposium called Cell Blocks and Border Stops: Transformational Activism in the Age of Dehumanization. Since then, the Alliance has been working closely with our affiliate organizations to advance policies that deconstruct systemic structures of criminalization in their localContinue reading “New Video: Case Study of Colorado’s Consent-To-Search Policing Policy”

Consent to Search: Beyond Cell Blocks Webinar Series Continues

In 2010, after a lengthy fight, Colorado passed a state law that required police officers to inform people of their constitutional right to refuse a search of their person and/or property. The goal of the law was to reduce traffic stops, searches and intimidation stemming from from discrimination. Law enforcement officers at the time saidContinue reading “Consent to Search: Beyond Cell Blocks Webinar Series Continues”

“We Say They Can Stay,” Native American Leaders Protest Immigrant Detension

By Simmi Bagri Alliance for a Just Society The annual Alliance for A Just Society’s Advanced Native Organizers Training, was sponsored by the Praxis Project and hosted at the  Alliance’s office in Seattle this month, drew leaders from tribes and organizations from around the country. They came from as far as Virginia, Alaska, South Dakota,Continue reading ““We Say They Can Stay,” Native American Leaders Protest Immigrant Detension”

Polling Places on Reservations Would Protect Native’s Right to Vote

None of us can afford to take the right to vote for granted – as Native Americans living on reservations in Montana can confirm. On the Fort Belknap, Northern Cheyenne, and Crow reservations, Native Americans who want to vote, or even register to vote, have to travel as much as 180 miles over rough, ruralContinue reading “Polling Places on Reservations Would Protect Native’s Right to Vote”

Speaking Up, Sharing Stories to Stop Police Misconduct

Lisa Haynes was waiting for a bus near her home in Portland, Ore., when two police officers passing in a patrol car stopped and began questioning her. Uncertain of what was happening, or why she was being questioned, she turned to walk away. Within moments, Haynes, 4’10”, was forcefully grabbed, pushed to the ground andContinue reading “Speaking Up, Sharing Stories to Stop Police Misconduct”

The Penalty for Being Poor – Prison

By Simmi Bagri Alliance for a Just Society Imagine being poor. Then imagine that the depth of your poverty is compounded because you committed a minor infraction. You can’t pay your ticket. You go to court and are put under a probation monitoring service – more fees and fines. You can’t afford bus fare, soContinue reading “The Penalty for Being Poor – Prison”

Beyond Cellblocks: Reducing Criminalization, Promoting Health Care Access & Racial Justice

This is the first in a series of webinars on ending criminalization of everyday life that will be offered by the Alliance for a Just Society. The Alliance is a national research, policy and organizing network focused on social justice, including ending racial disparity and promoting health equity. Like many other cities, Seattle has longContinue reading “Beyond Cellblocks: Reducing Criminalization, Promoting Health Care Access & Racial Justice”

2014 Advanced Native Organizers Training

The Alliance for a Just Society’s Native Organizing Alliance is pleased to announce our annual Native Organizers Training this spring! Sponsored by the Communities Creating Healthy Environments Initiative, this is a four day intensive workshop on community organizing that covers building and leveraging people-power, campaign planning, community led policy change; and how to use ourContinue reading “2014 Advanced Native Organizers Training”

An Open Letter to the Prosecutor in the Case of Jordan Davis

Rinku Sen, president and executive director of Race Forward, wrote an open letter to the prosecutor, Angela Corey, and the legal community in connection with the Jordan Davis killing. The Alliance for a Just Society is proud to be among those adding their names to the list of signers in support. Please click the linkContinue reading “An Open Letter to the Prosecutor in the Case of Jordan Davis”