State capitals are buzzing as lawmakers return for this year’s state legislative sessions. It’s no surprise that the death penalty is on the agenda in so many places, given the growing movement away from executions. There has long been strong support for death penalty repeal in Kansas, but due to many circumstances, repeal bills haven’t… Continue reading Lawmakers across the country re-evaluating the death penalty
Faith leaders support new trial in case of juror exclusion
Over 500 pastors recently released a letter calling for a new trial for Texas death row inmate Chris Young. The letter urges Texas officials to award Young a new trial because of the exclusion of a potential juror in his original death penalty case. Young and his attorneys argue that the prospective juror was improperly struck from… Continue reading Faith leaders support new trial in case of juror exclusion
157 – an update from CCATDP
Late last month, after serving several years on Delaware’s death row, Isaiah McCoy was released and acquitted of the murder for which he was originally convicted. There was no physical evidence linking him to the crime, and the testimonies that were used against him were inconsistent. Despite this, McCoy was sentenced to die, but after… Continue reading 157 – an update from CCATDP
Together, Newark police and community use understanding of trauma to call for system change
Since last spring, more than 150 police officers, residents, survivors of violence, justice-involved citizens, social workers, and faith leaders came together last fall to participate in EJUSA’s inaugural Police/Community Initiative on Trauma-Informed Responses to Violence in Newark, New Jersey. Through the initiative, participants learn about structural racism, trauma-informed practices, and work together to generate recommendations… Continue reading Together, Newark police and community use understanding of trauma to call for system change
Reimagining Justice This Month | Feb 2017
Our current criminal justice system harms millions of people – from crime survivors to the justice-involved and their families. Reimagining Justice This Month highlights communities that are organizing for effective responses to violence – responses that disrupt cycles of violence, heal trauma, and address structural racism. “When Killer and Victim’s Mother Meet, Paths From Grief,… Continue reading Reimagining Justice This Month | Feb 2017
Funding available for groups serving survivors in Florida
Florida has opened an application process for organizations to apply for funds (pdf) through the Federal Victims Of Crime Act (VOCA). If you are an organization in Florida that works with crime survivors, you may be eligible to apply through this RFP process. Through our VOCA Funding Toolkit, and assistance from our Grassroots Capacity Building Specialist, EJUSA can… Continue reading Funding available for groups serving survivors in Florida
Engaging event at Florida’s largest Evangelical congregation
This past Wednesday, EJUSA co-sponsored a discussion on the death penalty at Northland Church in Longwood, Florida. We were thrilled to be able to help bring this conversation to Northland – one of the largest Evangelical churches in the nation. Pastor Joel Hunter moderated, and EJUSA Organizer Christine Henderson made the trip from Jacksonville, FL,… Continue reading Engaging event at Florida’s largest Evangelical congregation
Georgia Conservatives Concerned about the Death Penalty
Last year, Georgia led the nation in executions with nine, which was the most in the Peach State’s history. While executions are at record levels, no one has been sentenced to die in Georgia in nearly three years, which suggests that its death penalty is slowly dying. However, there are many in Georgia who wish… Continue reading Georgia Conservatives Concerned about the Death Penalty
Spring 2017 Police/Community Initiative on Trauma-Informed Responses to Violence – Newark, NJ
EJUSA is excited to be launching a second round of trainings in Newark, NJ to increase the capacity for police and the community to build mutual understanding of the other’s trauma and respond to trauma in the wake of violence. This spring, a team of facilitators will be leading trainings on trauma-informed responses to violence… Continue reading Spring 2017 Police/Community Initiative on Trauma-Informed Responses to Violence – Newark, NJ
Georgia conservatives launch new efforts to re-examine death penalty
Georgia Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty, a network of conservatives questioning the alignment of capital punishment with their conservative principles, officially launched last week with a news conference at the Georgia State Capitol. “Georgia may have led the nation in executions in 2016, but our state is actually moving away from the death penalty,” said Marc… Continue reading Georgia conservatives launch new efforts to re-examine death penalty