Looking Back on 20 Years

From Reform to Reimagining: Lessons and Reflections on the Journey to Transformation I’ve had the privilege of leading EJUSA through two major transitions – a spinoff from our parent organization to become an independent organization in 2008 and a 10-year process to remake our mission and vision from reforming the justice system to building a… Continue reading Looking Back on 20 Years

The Verdict and True Accountability

Yesterday, many millions of us exhaled with relief. We exhaled for those who can’t: George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Duante Wright, Adam Toledo, and so many, many more.  A legal process that has never been applied fairly has convicted Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd. It’s a meaningful verdict in part because it’s so… Continue reading The Verdict and True Accountability

The Fight of Our Lifetimes

To our EJUSA family, Last week, George Floyd became the latest chapter in America’s history of racial terror when a police officer in Minneapolis killed him in broad daylight, in front of multiple cameras, while three other officers watched. This weekend, the pent-up grief, trauma, and rage that this triggered poured onto streets across the… Continue reading The Fight of Our Lifetimes

A Tribute to Serena Simmons Connelly

EJUSA Executive Director Shari Silberstein (left) stands with Serena Simmons Connelly

EJUSA mourns the death of one of our long-time partners, Serena Simmons Connelly. To read more about Serena’s incredible life and commitment to justice, you can see her obituary in the Dallas Morning News. I want to celebrate Serena’s life by sharing some personal memories of the friend I’ve known for almost 20 years. One… Continue reading A Tribute to Serena Simmons Connelly

The New EJUSA Website!

I’m so proud to kick off 2020 with two big announcements. First, EJUSA is turning 30 years old this year! And we’re celebrating this milestone with this new website! The site is a declaration of our bold vision for justice reimagined. With your support, we’re transforming what justice is. We’re rejecting mass incarceration, executions, police… Continue reading The New EJUSA Website!

Another Year in Impact: Read the Report

Looking back on 2019 reminds me of what an incredible experience it is to do our work. Reflecting also confirms how 2019 set us up for yet another decade of monumental change. I am so grateful for our team, board, partners, and supporters like you because you all make the work successful. And I’m excited… Continue reading Another Year in Impact: Read the Report

The world has lost a giant

EJUSA Founding Board Member Jonathan Gradess

It is with a broken heart that I’m writing to share the news that one of our founding board members, Jonathan E. Gradess, passed away last week. I met Jonathan 15 years ago, on the eve of the nation’s first successful death penalty abolition campaign. The courts had just thrown out New York’s death penalty… Continue reading The world has lost a giant

Rewriting the Law Books

It’s been a long time since the death penalty has grabbed so much public attention. Where to begin? Maybe where you least expect it. Ending the death penalty nationwide: “You can feel the momentum…” Conservatives have become a force in the growing movement to repeal the death penalty. Leading off, there’s a good chance that… Continue reading Rewriting the Law Books