Internal Email Reveals Racism in Madison County Sheriff’s Department BY JOSHUA TOM, LEGAL DIRECTOR “Arrested. Black. Male.” The problem, however, runs deeper that he has used racial slurs in the These are the words that have been — much deeper — than racist sheriff course of his duties and had not been pre-filled on a cover sheet to the emails. disciplined. Far from being punished for racism, the department appears to Madison County Sheriff’s Department The Madison County Sheriff’s have institutionalized it. Narcotics Unit’s case files. All other Department’s policy of racialized fields have been left blank. These policing stretches back at least as far words tell the story of racially biased as the prior sheriff’s administration. policing in the county that begins In 2006, Black residents of Canton, before officers even go into the Mississippi — a predominantly community. Black town in Madison County The internal racism of the department and the county seat — presented a represented in this form is just one petition bearing 664 signatures to the Madison County Board of Supervisors piece of a larger body of compelling demanding an end to “frequent evidence that the sheriff’s department roadblocks in the predominantly black has a culture of racism that threatens neighborhoods” and “racial profiling.” Madison County’s Black community. The response? Former Sheriff Toby In June of 2009, current Sheriff Trowbridge refused to even meet with Randall Tucker, while a deputy under Other evidence and data collected the protestors. former Sheriff Toby Trowbridge, during the discovery phase received and forwarded a racist email Trowbridge denied using racial support the fact that MCSD has titled, “White Pride.” It contained the profiling and vowed to continue a longstanding policy of stopping statements, “when I call you , using roadblocks as a policing tactic, and searching Black drivers and , Towel head, Sand-nigger, Camel despite the evidence that they were pedestrians who travel in Madison Jockey, , , or ... disproportionately affecting Black County on the basis of their race. You call me a racist.” The email people. His casual brushing aside For example, over 30 people, concludes by encouraging the reader of community outrage dovetails including the named plaintiffs, to express support for its sentiments with the casual racism exhibited by submitted declarations explaining by forwarding it along, which Sheriff the sheriff’s department. Tellingly, their experiences with MCSD that Tucker did. current Sheriff Tucker later pledged reflect this racism — testimony that to “maintain the quality of law corroborates the existence of a racially The ACLU of Mississippi, along with enforcement that we have under biased policing program and the its co-counsel at Simpson Thacher Sheriff Trowbridge,” and upon taking department’s abuse of authority. & Bartlett LLP and the ACLU’s office in 2012, officially adopted all of Lawrence Blackmon, one of our national office, uncovered these and Trowbridge’s policies. other documents during six months named plaintiffs, was tackled, made of legal discovery before proceeding to The roadblocks and racial profiling to lay face down, and then handcuffed file a motion for class certification on continue to this day. at gunpoint after he asked to see a warrant before allowing deputies March 14, 2018, in Brown v. Madison During his deposition in this case, to enter his home. He asked them County. In the case, we sued Madison former Sheriff Trowbridge testified to show the warrant. They did not. County and its sheriff’s department about the use of racial slurs at the Instead, they searched his home, for operating a policing program that sheriff’s department by MCSD looking in drawers and cabinets for a targets on the basis of personnel, including by him, and a full-grown man they claimed to have a race. MCSD patrol supervisor testified warrant for. CONTINUE READING ON PG. 2

BECAUSE FREEDOM CAN’T PROTECT ITSELF THE TORCH | ACLU OF MISSISSIPPI | SPRING 2018 1 The evidence of our plaintiff’s The eight named plaintiffs in our "And then there are just personal stories are supported by case against the county are Black Americans. You pass hard numbers. men and women ages 28 to 63 who were unconstitutionally searched, me on the street and Black individuals make up only detained, or arrested by the MCSD, 38 percent of Madison County’s sneer in my direction. sometimes violently. These incidents population, but they accounted for happened while our clients were going You call me 'White boy,' 77 percent of all arrests made by about their daily lives — walking to the MCSD between 2012 and 2017. ',' 'Honkey,' work, driving in their neighborhood, In addition, the per capita rate of celebrating with family, or just 'Whitey,' 'Caveman'... roadblocks in substantially Black spending time in their own homes. and that's OK. census tracts is nearly double that of predominantly white census tracts. The ACLU and Simpson Thatcher But when i call you, are asking the court to certify the Sadly, our claim of racially biased lawsuit as a class action and put an Nigger, Kike, Towel policing in the county is not new. end to MCSD’s policy and culture of head, Sand-nigger, MCSD’s racist and discriminatory racial discrimination. All residents of Camel Jockey, Beaner, culture has been felt in communities Madison County deserve to be treated Gook, or Chink.. You call of color for years. The stories of our equally regardless of their race. They plaintiffs and the data analysis deserve justice, and we intend to me a racist." support this history of injustice. ensure they get it.

LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The beginning filed bills to codify discrimination, surveillance. We stand with of a new year to criminalize association, and citizens with Mississippians typically to label free speech as terrorism who want to balance protection brings with - we fought back. When women’s and privacy by requiring police it a renewed pay equality and personal accountability and governmental hope for better healthcare decisions became transparency. outcomes. fodder for the “old boys” club, we We remain encouraged, however, The ACLU of stood in solidarity with partner because of you! You responded Mississippi organizations. to our call for Liberty Lobbyists began 2018 The ACLU of MS knows that by participating in webinars, with the same hope, anticipation change does not come easily and attending trainings and showing and expectation for a better must be defended. Even when up at the Capitol to advocate Mississippi. We entered the change does come, there are often alongside us. We cannot stand year with progressively minded deliberate efforts to undermine with our partners or legislators legislation in hand that would advances that would secure who take the right policy positions have standardized policing policy “justice for all.” It is this reality without you. We cannot stand when body cameras are deployed, that keeps us on the frontline of against and oppose tyranny made equitable opportunities for the fight to protect freedom. without you. As an organization career educators, and increased we cannot stand for rights, access for voter participation in We continue to litigate against unequal treatment in the court fairness and justice without our electoral process. We called on you. You have shown us that we the state to commemorate its 200- systems. When students show solidarity and desire to protest, don’t have to stand alone. You year history by unfurling freedom stood with us. Together, we stand for all. we prepare them with tools and knowledge to protect their right determined to make Mississippi It did not take the Legislature and to peaceful protests. We stood a just and equitable state. Thank state leadership long to remind with legislators who understand you for your continued support. us that this is still Mississippi. that innovation and technology Sincerely, We were ready! When legislators can be used as tools of improper Jennifer Riley Collins

BECAUSE FREEDOM CAN’T PROTECT ITSELF THE TORCH | ACLU OF MISSISSIPPI | SPRING 2018 2 ACLU-MS STAFF 2018 Legislative Session Jennifer Riley-Collins EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Review: All Hands on Deck BY AISHA CARSON, ADVOCACY COORDINATOR Rakeshia Gray The ACLU of Mississippi remains the progress of 2014’s HB 585 that DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS & your Capitol’s watchdog and this year has resulted in our prison population ADMINISTRATION we knew we would need all hands on decrease. We effectively killed the deck. Our legislative strategy sent all bill in the Youth and Family Affairs Tabuthia Bell of the advocacy staff to the Capitol to committee. FINANCE OFFICER lobby legislators using their specific An amendment to SB 2197 would have expertise. With a robust legislative Zakiya Summers-Harlee also authorized the establishment of agenda, this year’s session was yet DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & mental health courts throughout the another challenge to the rights of state but it did not pass. These courts ADVOCACY individuals in Mississippi. Having the would reduce counterproductive over- support of the full team made a huge Katherine Klein reliance on incarceration to handle difference. EQUALITY ADVOCACY COORDINATOR mental health patients. We supported Our team of advocates took to the the amendment. However, the final Aisha Carson State Capitol, promoting nine bills bill approved by the governor was EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES that endorsed freedom, transparency, simplified to only provide that a person ADVOCACY COORDINATOR and equal opportunity and access, and will not be taken into custody when fought back against bills that threaten medical assistance has been requested Malaysia Walker the rights of people across the state. due to consuming alcohol if that person TEAP-MS ADVOCACY COORDINATOR meets certain protocols. Improved Policing and Criminal Joshua Tom Justice Reform Equal Opportunities for Educators LEGAL DIRECTOR Leading our legislative package was and Students the Body Cams Bill, SB 2283. While Education has been at the forefront Jade Morgan not mandating purchase or use of of state politics this session, including LITIGATION SPECIALIST body-worn cameras (BWCs) by law a major re-write to the controversial enforcement agencies, this bill would MAEP funding formula, the have established standard policies introduction of school vouchers, and ACLU-MS BOARD for agencies’ use across the state. The a robust debate on school choice. The OF DIRECTORS legislative initiative was supported by ACLU of MS stood in solidarity with the only statewide analysis of BWC the education equity coalition, “A Cassandra Welchlin policies that we released at the start of Seat at the Table,” to actively oppose BOARD PRESIDENT the session. “Striking the Balance: An HB 957 and demand transparency in Analysis of Body-worn Camera Policies the rewrite of the education funding Jack Williams in Mississippi” found key gaps in formula and equitable funding for all VICE PRESIDENT policies across the state and provided Mississippi school districts. The new recommendations regarding BWC funding formula bill was effectively Monica Galloway use. Read more about this bill and the killed in the Senate. TREASURER report on page 6. We also sought equity for educators Patricia E. Herlihy Our team vigorously fought back with our proposed HB 753. This SECRETARY against SB 2868 – the Anti-Gang amendment would change the Bill – alongside partners, such as the qualifications of superintendents Sam Edward Arnold Mississippi NAACP, the Mississippi to support equal opportunities Melanie Deas Public Defender's Office, Families As for educators in low-resourced Andy Guerra Allies, and others. We were especially districts, who are predominantly concerned about the bill’s overbroad African American. The current law Charles Holmes definition of gangs and vague language prevents 98% of African American W. Abram Orlansky and the potential harmful effects superintendents from seeking Dan Roach for juveniles, specifically minority employment in other districts based Stephen Silberman children. SB 2868 would have on their current school accountability Wendy Keith Thompson increased the incarceration rate and rating. Our efforts to amend the law costs for the state and diminished CONTINUE READING ON PG. 4

BECAUSE FREEDOM CAN’T PROTECT ITSELF THE TORCH | ACLU OF MISSISSIPPI | SPRING 2018 3 to protect educators from stunted career growth died in committee, but we will It’s the Law: Bills that Survived continue to fight for equity in education for students and educators alike. the 2018 Legislative Session Increasing Access to the Polls CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM Common-sense voting reforms, including early voting and online HB 387 SB 2841 voter registration, were also major DISMANTLES PRACTICE OF GOVERNOR VETOED ON 4/16 components of our legislative package. DEBTORS’ PRISON STOPS STATE FROM A progressive push to modernize voting • Mississippians can no SUSPENDING LICENSES systems in the state gained bi-partisan longer be jailed for failure • Related to all drug support; however, the bill died in to pay fees & fines violations that federal committee. We also supported a bill to • Judges must assess a law authorizes unless study the current disenfranchisement person's ability to pay offense involves driving laws that died in the Senate. under the influence Mississippi ranks second worst in INCREASES RE-ENTRY • Traffic violations no the nation at disenfranchising its • Parole officers can meet longer result in license individuals at work or via citizens. Our goal moving forward is to suspension technology mobilize Mississippians to advocate for • Expands parole eligibility EXPANDS ALTERNATIVE these measures by directly engaging for non-violent offenders SENTENCING lawmakers and local elected officials • Lengthens time from 30 statewide. Modernizing Mississippi’s REDUCES PRISON to 90 days to allow person voting system will not only improve POPULATION on supervision or parole access and increase efficiency, but will to pay fees also help to improve civic engagement CREATES TASK FORCE • Establishes Parental and decrease barriers to the polls. TO STUDY CRIMINAL Accountability Courts SENTENCES FOR RACIAL • Provides more discretion Equality DISPARITIES to judges in drug courts We aggressively lobbied to protect • Removes contempt citizens from housing discrimination offense for failure to pay based on their sexual orientation fines and fees and/or gender identity, but were met RE-ENTRY SUPPORT with push back from legislators, who • Provides protections for said they were unaware of any sort employers that removes of discrimination, and HB 597 was disincentives for hiring subsequently killed in committee. people with a felony We also lobbied for SB 2489, which record protected state employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity. EQUAL ACCESS This bill also died in committee but our fervor for protecting LGBTQ rights HB 1510 has not. We will continue to stand in LIMITS ABORTION TO 15 WEEKS the gap for Mississippians who face MOST RESTRICTIVE ABORTION discrimination and are not protected BILL IN THE U.S. by state laws. If you or someone your know has experienced discrimination, please contact Malaysia Walker at *Please note this chart is reflective of legislation that is relevant to [email protected]. the ACLU of Mississippi’s areas of focus.

BECAUSE FREEDOM CAN’T PROTECT ITSELF THE TORCH | ACLU OF MISSISSIPPI | SPRING 2018 4 HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT

HOUSE BILL 1523—THE ANTI- SCOTUS UPDATE has contemplated whether partisan LGBTQ LAW DACA gerrymandering violates the First Mississippi is home to the most The Supreme Court refused to hear Amendment rights of voters by discriminatory, anti-LGBTQ law in the the Trump administration’s appeal of retaliating against them for their country. House Bill 1523 allows wide- a federal district judge’s nationwide past support of a party’s candidates. ranging discrimination against LGBTQ injunction that halted the President’s A third case out of Texas involves individuals, including in marriage, decision to rescind the DACA program alleged racial gerrymandering – employment, housing, adoption and – a win for the immigrant community. electoral maps that discriminate health care. Cities, counties and states, as The Trump administration took the against people of color. well as foreign countries, have condemned unusual move to seek review of the WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION the law and issued travel warnings and injunction from the Supreme Court travel bans to Mississippi as a result of it. before a federal appeals court had The Second Circuit Court of Appeals Mississippi’s government remains defiant. decided the issue. The Supreme Court ruled that Title VII of the Civil While a federal district court struck down did not bite, so this case as well as Rights Act of 1964, which bans sex- the law as unconstitutional, the Fifth the political processes around DACA based discrimination, also bans Circuit Court of Appeals reversed that will continue to roil Washington and workplace discrimination on the decision, and the U.S. Supreme Court the country. DACA temporarily gives basis of sexual orientation. The declined to hear the case. Accordingly, protection to immigrants brought to Trump administration had argued HB 1523 is now the law in Mississippi. the U.S. as children from deportation that Title VII does not encompass However, the Fifth Circuit based its and the ability to work. sexual orientation. In a strange turn decision on the technical issue of standing of events, the Equal Employment and did not rule on the merits of whether GERRYMANDERING Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), the law is constitutional. The Supreme Court’s decisions which handles workplace civil rights disputes, had decided that Title VII It is clear to us at the ACLU of MS and in three cases tackling the issue of gerrymandering could literally did ban discrimination on the basis to legal scholars across the country of sexual orientation. The Justice that HB 1523 is unconstitutional. The reshape the American political map. Two cases involve maps in Wisconsin Department under Jeff Sessions took ACLU of MS continues to work to ensure the opposite view, which resulted everyone is treated equally and seeks and Maryland, where political parties drew election maps to favor one in the federal government arguing an opportunity to strike down HB 1523. against itself. For now, the EEOC’s If you have been discriminated against party over another. The Wisconsin map favored republicans, while the interpretation has prevailed. because you are a member of the LGBTQ The Supreme Court is the Trump community, let us know. Only with Maryland map favored democrats. Justice Anthony Kennedy, thought administration’s only avenue of your help can we rid our state of this appeal. discriminatory and shameful law to be the pivotal vote in these cases,

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY DAY 2018 The ACLU of MS kicked off its 2018 Liberty Lobbyists program in early January and culminated its efforts during our Legislative Advocacy Day on January 23, 2018. We equipped about 45 Mississippians with the tools and resources they need to become citizen lobbyists so that they can help us push for equity and justice in state law. Board members, coalition partners, volunteers, and ACLU supporters got the opportunity to meet with their legislator and targeted committee members to lobby for our legislative package.

BECAUSE FREEDOM CAN’T PROTECT ITSELF THE TORCH | ACLU OF MISSISSIPPI | SPRING 2018 5 The Continued Struggle for Body Cam Policies that Strike the Right Balance In early 2017, the the county and city level lead to positive ACLU of Mississippi improvements in individual policies. initiated a project Where 64 of the 65 policies analyzed do to gather and not require officers to complete initial report to the public reports before viewing BWC footage, the information on the Tupelo Police Department does just that. use of body cams by We applaud them for accepting our input agencies throughout before undertaking a revision process the state, which led which led to it. to the publication of With our report, residents are equipped Striking the Right with the knowledge necessary to Balance: An Analysis challenge local law enforcement leaders of Body-worn Camera who may attempt to pay lip service Policies in Mississippi to calls for true transparency and in January 2018. accountability while merely using public After filing 147 funds to acquire body cameras that records requests ultimately do nothing more than bolster and collecting the agencies surveillance arsenal. Following a clarion call from the family and analyzing of Michael Brown, who was killed in 65 body cam policies, we determined August of 2014 in Missouri by Ferguson that Mississippi’s police and sheriff’s Police Officer Darren Wilson, a campaign departments using body cameras largely Decriminalizing ensued arm police officers with body- fail to ensure that BWCs are deployed worn cameras (BWCs). Since then, more in a way that promotes transparency, Marijuana in and more law enforcement agencies accountability, and trust. The report Capitol City have acquired body cameras. Yet even served as an empirical and credible in the wake of officer-involved shootings catalyst to revamp our advocacy efforts Black people are arrested four times happening across the country and in to pass legislation establishing a as often as white Americans for low- around Mississippi, we bear witness statewide policy for BWC use that would level marijuana possession despite to law enforcement agencies equipped carefully balance the needs for promoting statistics showing roughly equal use, according to an ACLU study that with body cameras continue to resist transparency and accountability while shows disproportionate enforcement transparency and evade accountability. also protecting privacy. of small-scale marijuana possession Throughout this post-Ferguson era, the The report found key gaps in policies laws. So when the Council of the ACLU of Mississippi has monitored the across the state, including city of Jackson announced it was increasing reports of law enforcement • zero require individuals to be notified considering a proposed amendment agencies acquiring BWCs. We have that they are being recorded; to decriminalize simple possession of consistently maintained that while body marijuana, we called upon the city to • less than 20% require officers consider policy and practice changes cams are not a silver bullet to end police deactivate the camera when entering that would further the proposal. misconduct, they can be part of the a home if the resident requests the Executive Director Jennifer Riley solution when adopted alongside policies camera be turned off; Collins submitted public comments that effectively balance police protection supporting Councilman DeKeither and citizen privacy. Recording police- • no policies provide provisions to protect Stamps’ proposal, but also asked the civilian encounters can help promote victims of domestic violence; and, city council for two things: ensure police accountability, but without good • most do not lift the activation of BWCs that indigent individuals are not policies in place, body cams risk becoming in school settings. simply incarcerated because they just another surveillance device. cannot afford the fines, fees, and Regrettably, for the fourth consecutive costs associated with the charge; In 2015, we supported legislation that session, the state legislature failed to and, deprioritize enforcement against would have mandated body cameras be establish policy parameters for law marijuana possession. As a result, used by law enforcement and established enforcement use of body-worn cameras. the city council unanimously passed uniform procedures for their use. During While we are deeply disappointed with the amendment, which reduces fines the 2016 and 2017 sessions, we again the legislature’s failure to establish to $100 and prohibits jail time for prioritized legislation standardizing statewide policy, we are pleased that possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana in the city. policies and procedures for body cam use. collaboration with government officials at

BECAUSE FREEDOM CAN’T PROTECT ITSELF THE TORCH | ACLU OF MISSISSIPPI | SPRING 2018 6 Title IX Student Presentations Protests The often-conceptualized image On March 14 at 10 a.m., the one-month of sexual violence is an unknown anniversary of the Parkland shooting, stranger lurking in a back students from across the nation left alley. In reality, around 90% their classrooms to stand for seventeen of women on college campuses minutes outside of their schools. The seventeen minutes represented a know their attackers. They are minute for each of the lives lost to friends, peers, and in many violence on that day. Some students cases, romantic partners, prayed, some reflected in silence, who use sexual violence as a and some used the time to contact means of control. Katherine their representatives and demand Klein, Equality for All/Equal sensible gun reform. Mississippi Access Advocacy Coordinator, students across the state participated conducted a general information in this strong show of solidarity by presentation about Title IX to organizing walkouts at their schools. the general student body with The ACLU of MS assisted in making student athletes about sexual sure the organizers knew their First Amendment rights and was on hand to violence during Alcorn State help in case any of the schools tried to University’s sexual assault violate those rights. awareness and prevention week. The discussion explored how a According to the organizers, an range of actions, from sexual estimated one million students jokes to rape, is considered sexual participated in National School Walkout Day. Whether you agree with the goals violence and sexual harassment. of this movement or not, the collective For more information about Title organizing and social media skills of IX and sexual assault, visit http:// these young people is impressive, and www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/ has certainly accomplished the task of title-ix-and-sexual-assault. If keeping the gun reform debate in the you would like more information center of the public sphere. This display about having the ACLU of of students exercising their First Mississippi conduct a Title IX Amendment rights goes to show how training for your school, email us effective well-coordinated events of civil at [email protected]. disobedience can be, and why we must continue to fight for their protection.

Let People Vote Inclement weather, busy schedules, January. Panelists included Senator long work hours, lack of access to David Blount, Secretary of State transportation are all reasonable Elections Attorney Kim Turner, issues faced by voters on Election and Mississippi NAACP Executive Day. These barriers were evident Director Dr. Corey Wiggins. when Mississippi experienced Partners included Mississippi unusual weather conditions, causing Votes, League of Women Voters, and a delay in our voter engagement Women for Progress of Mississippi. panel. That is why the ACLU of Panelists and about 65 participants learn more about how you MS advocated for early voting and discussed these voting reforms that can advocate for early voting and online voter registration, common- are in place in more than 37 states, online registration, download our sense reforms that were the nexus and have shown to increase voter Advocacy Voting Toolkit on our of the “Be Counted” forum at turnout, make the voting process Voting Rights Resource Center Mississippi College School of Law in easier, and save taxpayer dollars. To page at www.aclu-ms.org.

BECAUSE FREEDOM CAN’T PROTECT ITSELF THE TORCH | ACLU OF MISSISSIPPI | SPRING 2018 7 could potentially help Mississippi’s My Experience at the Mississippi LBGTQ community, the benefits BY ZION MORGAN, of non-discrimination policies, and Youth Advocacy Summit STUDENT the civil rights laws that affect me as a public school student. More It always makes me happy to see and freedom in our respective importantly, I learned that I was not a group of adults come together communities. In addition to providing alone in the fight for youth advocacy. and invite youth to have a seat at us with opportunities to advance our the table when brainstorming on knowledge base in a variety of areas, Overall the 2018 Mississippi Youth strategies and policies to advance to the Summit enabled youth from all Advocacy Summit was an enormous better the communities, promoting over Mississippi to network with each success and I cannot wait to attend social equality and justice for all. The other, with the possibility of bridging next year. Mississippi Youth Advocacy Summit, gaps to new gateways. sponsored by the ACLU of Mississippi, One of the most HRC Mississippi, and Teen Health enjoyable aspects of Mississippi, did just that. The plan the Summit was the was to reach out to youth all over the option to choose the state, gather them as a collective, and sessions attended teach them about their rights and and the educational the types of advocacy work they could flexibility. This engage in. enabled me to not only If I had to use one word to describe attend sessions that my experience at the 2018 Mississippi were geared toward Youth Advocacy Summit, it would informing students of be exhilarating. Not only did I find the rights of an LGBTQ the Summit stimulating, it was student, but a general also refreshing to witness first- sexual education hand a collective of adults who were course as well. In the About 30 youth from across the state attended the inaugural genuinely interested in educating former course, I found Mississippi Youth Advocacy Summit on the campus of Jackson the youth on the importance of out that the ACLU of State University. The ACLU of MS educated them on students’ awareness on equality, state laws Mississippi is actively rights and the civil rights protections still necessary to fight that affect youth rights, fairness, looking for cases that against discrimination.

Visibility Helps Push for Trans Rights BY MALAYSIA WALKER, TDOV presents the opportunity to shine 4. Reach out to your state and local TEAP-MS ADVOCACY COORDINATOR a positive light on trans and GNC people, elected officials about the need for and to strive for acceptance and support policy protections. Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) needed within our communities. Although 5. Coordinate public education activities was March 31. It is an international visibility is not enough alone to bring the in your communities. holiday celebrated to bring attention to acceptance our community deserves, we the accomplishments of trans and gender can use visibility as a vital tool to educate For more information, visit www.aclu-ms. non-conforming (GNC) people around the state of Mississippi on the importance org/campaigns/teap-ms. the globe while fighting discrimination, of non-discrimination policies and miseducation, and transphobia. We protections for a population that face more celebrated the observance by collecting egregious treatment from others. books all month long for the Literacy You can help increase this visibility all Achievement Bonanza program for year long in your own community. Here middle and elementary students. We also are just a few ideas: partnered with G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center for its LGBTQ+ 1. Post trans-specific facts, a photo, or Resource Fair and volunteered at The blog on social media using #TDOVMS Grace House, a non-profit organization 2. Take a transgender person to lunch that offers housing and support services and talk. for homeless men and women living with HIV/AIDS and women recovering from 3. Donate to TEAP-MS or a transgender substance abuse. organization in your community.

BECAUSE FREEDOM CAN’T PROTECT ITSELF THE TORCH | ACLU OF MISSISSIPPI | SPRING 2018 8 BECAUSE FREEDOM CAN’T PROTECT ITSELF THE TORCH | ACLU OF MISSISSIPPI | SPRING 2018 9 INTERN SPOTLIGHT Welcome Rakesia Gray, Courtney Director of Operations Williams Rakesia is a native of Waynesboro, MS. Originally She graduated from Belhaven University from Hickory, with a Bachelor’s and MBA in Business MS, Courtney Administration. She is married and the is a senior at mother of one son. In her spare time, she Mississippi enjoys reading, sports, and spending time College. mentoring teenage girls in her hometown. Courtney is involved with multiple organizations on campus, including Phi Theta Kappa, Social Justice Club, and Chenoa Social Tribe. She plans to graduate in May 2018 with a degree in Public Relations and hopes to use her career in communications as a way to help build up others. She is also a graduate from East Central Community College with Honors. orientation and/or gender identity.

Stella Ambassa

A native of Visitors from Thailand visited the ACLU of MS to learn about the TEAP program and our Cameroon and efforts to promote equality and equal access for the LGBTQ community. The struggles Russia, Stella faced by the trans community are universal, which makes our work for trans equality received her law that much more important. degree in 2014 and a Master’s degree in law in 2015 from the university in Cameroon. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Mississippi College School of Law with an LLM in American Legal System in 2016. After graduation, Stella interned with Disability Rights Mississippi and worked as a Law Clerk for McRae Law Firm. She chose to volunteer at the ACLU for the same reason that she went to law school - her desire to defend and President Trump’s visit to the opening of the Mississippi Civil Rights and Mississippi History Museums sparked controversy and protests along High Street in downtown protect people’s rights. Jackson. ACLU of MS Legal Observers were on-hand to ensure the protestors' rights were not violated.

BECAUSE FREEDOM CAN’T PROTECT ITSELF THE TORCH | ACLU OF MISSISSIPPI | SPRING 2018 10