No Justice, No Peace- Black Lives Matter- You Have Got That Right Brothers and Sisters-Speaking Truth To Power-The Struggle Continues  

 

 

 

BLACK LIVES MATTER: The Shadow of Crisis Has Not Passed

2014 was a year that saw profound injustice, and extraordinary resilience. Homicides at the hands of police sparked massive protests, meaning that America could no longer ignore bitter truths of the Black experience… In the face of the tragic killing of Mike Brown, Black youth in Ferguson said no more,  sparking resistance against state violence that spread across the nation. For over 160 days we have been marching, shutting down streets, stopping trains and occupying police stations in pursuit of justice.  We have stood united in demanding a new system of policing and a vision for Black lives, lived fully and with dignity.  Gains have been made, but we who believe in freedom know we cannot rest until justice is won… 2015 is the year of resistance.  We the People, committed to the declaration that Black lives matter, will fight to end the structural oppression that prevents so many from realizing their dreams. We cannot, and will not stop until America recognizes the value of Black life.  More

 

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JOBS NOT JAILS is promoting “Justice Reinvestment”:

Bill aims to reform sentencing, add jobs

The bill, dubbed “Jobs not Jails” by its sponsors, was filed Friday by state Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz, Democrat of Boston, and state Representative Mary S. Keefe, a Worcester Democrat. The sweeping legislation would repeal mandatory drug sentences, reduce some low-level felonies to misdemeanors, and change other laws, such as taking away driver’s licenses from drug offenders for years after the crime, making it difficult for them to get jobs. It costs the state more than $47,000 a year to house an inmate, Chang-Diaz said. Under her proposal, savings from reducing the prison population would go to a state trust fund to pay for skills training and job placement programs.   More

“An Act to Increase Neighborhood Safety and Opportunity”  (SD1874    HD3425)
Please note the new # for the Senate Bill, as listed above. We have until January 30th to obtain co-sponsors for our omnibus legislation and the other important criminal justice reform bills mentioned in our last email.

PLEASE CALL YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND SENATOR AS SOON AS YOU CAN!
You can find your state legislators here
Here is a handy call script for you to use, should you wish!
For more details on the bill, click here for a general overview and on the links just below for individual components:

Fact Sheet 1: Misdemeanors  
Fact Sheet 2: Mandatory Minimums
Fact Sheet 3: RMV Campaign
Fact Sheet 4: Compassionate Release

Legislators are also filing many sections of the Justice Reinvestment Act as separate, individual bills and we support these too.  Please ask your State Representative and Senator to co-sponsor these bills too!  Here are the lead sponsors and docket numbers:
Mandatory Minimums: Rep. Swan and Sen. Creem (HD1921/SD1770);           

Extraordinary Medical Placement: Rep. Toomey and Sen. Jehlen (HD2997/SD1417);
RMV Collateral Sanctions: Rep. Malia and Sen. Chandler (HD2584/SD1665)

 

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Saturday, January 31: JOBS NOT JAILS (JNJ) Coalition meeting

2-4 PM, Freedom House/Old Grove Hall Library building, 5 Crawford St., corner Crawford and Warren Sts.

 

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The BOSTON COALITION FOR POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY (BCPA), of which DPP is a member, is having a meeting this Saturday, January 24, 2-5 PM, at First Church in Roxbury, back entrance, corner Putnam and Centre Sts.  (Eliot Square, Roxbury, uphill from the Mosque)

 

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Do you have a laptop you can donate?

DPP member Ann Grady sent this notice about the need for donated laptops (used or new) for the Africa Storybook Project, which Judith Baker of DPP helped start and has been working on for several years. Ann writes: “If any of you know of a Windows laptop that could be reconfigured with Windows XP or Windows 7 and Microsoft Office, please let me know.  If any of you are also able to help fund any of the updating of the laptops and purchase of the projectors ($300+ in total), please let me know.  I am also happy to answer additional questions about this project and our experience.  Thanks very much.  Ann Grady (agrady2@verizon.net)”

 

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