It’s been exactly one month since Louisiana put a man to death. Jessie Hoffman was the first death row execution in the state in 15 years. Not only was Hoffman’s death by nitrogen gas suffocation cruel; it has done nothing to deter violence in the state. In fact, in the four weeks since his execution,… Continue reading One Month Later: My Reflection on Louisiana’s Death Row Execution
Tag: Violence Prevention
Remembering Najee Seabrooks – Two Years Later
Last month, March 3rd marked two years since the Paterson Healing Collective (PHC) lost Najee Seabrooks, who was killed by Paterson police during a mental health crisis. Even though PHC is one of the most highly regarded programs of its kind in the country, Paterson police refused to allow their members to intervene for Najee… Continue reading Remembering Najee Seabrooks – Two Years Later
Setting the Agenda
Leading from the back isn’t easy…especially when the voices upfront are powerful, dynamic, and fearless. Such was indeed the case in April when Will Simpson, EJUSA’s director of community safety and justice, had to ride behind the vortex of passionate progressive leadership that is Congresswoman Cori Bush, a brave survivor of homelessness who transcended her… Continue reading Setting the Agenda
Beyond the Choir
There have been so many moments these past months when I wanted to pause, gather my thoughts, and tell you about the incredible things happening at EJUSA. I am finally getting that chance. I told you a little about our incredible event with the Players Coalition in Las Vegas, just days before the Super Bowl.… Continue reading Beyond the Choir
Newark: A Blueprint for Safety and Healing
Reimagining Justice This Month: June Reimagining Justice This Month highlights stories about effective responses to violence — responses that disrupt cycles of violence, heal trauma, and address structural racism. Newark: A Blueprint for Safety and Healing, NewarkSafety.org Newark, as moved through and lived in by its people, is a healing city. It is a city… Continue reading Newark: A Blueprint for Safety and Healing
Podcasts on the Possibility of Justice
Recently, the New York Times emailed about “6 true-crime podcasts on the dark side of romance.” These six podcasts, they tell us, are “true stories of abusers, liars and romantic con artists who ruthlessly exploit their victims’ desire for love.” The descriptions of the stories follow a well-worn path, pulling us in with the intrigue… Continue reading Podcasts on the Possibility of Justice
Transformation in a Reform World
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
Are Life Sentences a Merciful Alternative to the Death Penalty?
Reimagining Justice This Month: March 2021 Reimagining Justice This Month highlights stories about effective responses to violence – responses that disrupt cycles of violence, heal trauma, and address structural racism. Are Life Sentences a Merciful Alternative to the Death Penalty?, Mother Jones Virginia’s recent repeal of the death penalty was both a reckoning with a… Continue reading Are Life Sentences a Merciful Alternative to the Death Penalty?