MAKING MISSISSIPPI BETTER an Introduction to the ACLU of Mississippi’S 2015 Equity Agenda
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MAKING MISSISSIPPI BETTER An Introduction to The ACLU of Mississippi’s 2015 Equity Agenda BY KEIA JOHNSON, LEGISLATIVE STRATEGIST The lessons learned 50 years ago during voting rights. Finally, we asked that Freedom Summer, the knowledge legislators “Guarantee Freedom of Speech gained since then, and the reality of & Expression” by defending religious things we still need to learn demonstrate freedom and protecting freedom of the continued need for promotion of expression. constitutional rights and the advancement of civil liberties today. The agenda was endorsed by other community organizations who believe Every day in Mississippi, marginalized that together we can make Mississippi communities including communities of better. These organizations are working color, immigrant communities, people individually and in coalition to advance with disabilities, women, and the lesbian, justice on issues that impact racial, gay, bisexual and transgender community cultural and economic justice. Together, face barriers to true opportunity. The we seek to educate legislators, policy ACLU of Mississippi 2015 Equity makers and the public to make them Agenda highlights the unfinished business aware of some of the steps that are of achieving “justice for all” in Mississippi. necessary for progress in Mississippi. The path to this reality demands equity MEASUREMENT OF LEGISLATIVE and inclusion for all of our diverse PROGRESS ON ISSUES OF EQUITY communities. It is our sincere hope that IN 2015 Mississippi’s leadership will take initiative in pursuit of a better Mississippi. To We will publish a Legislative Score During the 2015 Legislative Session, we realize this vision, racial, cultural and Card that will be available to the general expected our leaders to speak up for the economic equity must be at the core of public before the November elections. disenfranchised and oppose policies our values. The Score Card will highlight those that were detrimental to the welfare legislators who “championed” equity and of our state. To “Promote Criminal It is with this in mind, that in January inclusion. It will also hold accountable Justice Reform” we asked that legislators 2015, the ACLU of Mississippi published those who failed to promote racial, seek to reduce Mississippi’s prison its first ever Equity Agenda. We set cultural and economic justice. out priorities in hopes that the agenda population, promote community policing, would serve as a guide to issues that transparency and accountability, and As we approach the 2015 elections, we remain unaddressed in Mississippi. It support restorative justice. We asked will educate the public and increase documented opportunities for our state that legislators work to “Extend Equality awareness about where lawmakers have legislators and governor to dismantle to All Mississippians” by ensuring the stood on the civil liberties issues that barriers and promote equity. While the equal treatment of all people, protecting are important to them. We will strive to agenda was not exhaustive, it should women’s rights, guaranteeing safe and present an accurate, fair and unbiased have been used as an informative tool. supportive schools, and protecting presentation of the record. Stay tuned! THE TORCH | ACLU OF MISSISSIPPI | SPRING 2015 1 ACLU-MS STAFF A LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Jennifer Riley-Collins EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Dylan Singleton On March 7th, I stood DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS & at the crest of the ADMINISTRATION Edmund Pettus Bridge Tabuthia Bell in Selma, AL, unsure FINANCE OFFICER of whether we should look back or forward. I Morgan Miller DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS stood there thinking of all the issues we are Rebecca Curry DIRECTOR OF POLICY AND ADVOCACY facing in Mississippi. The issues range from Keia Johnson the absence of laws LEGISLATIVE STRATEGIST protecting citizens L. Rene’ Hardwick against discrimination, ADVOCACY COORDINATOR to the challenge of Charles Irvin promoting transparency ACLU Executive Directors Jennifer Riley-Collins of Mississippi, Howard Simon of Florida and Susan Watson of Alabama on the LEGAL DIRECTOR and accountability of Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. Andres Wallace our law enforcement STAFF ATTORNEY agencies to ensure Nikita Flowers young people of color are safe to walk our streets, all the way to unsafe prison PARALEGAL conditions fed by mismanagement of private for profit companies. From where I stood in my mind’s eye there was not much difference. And then I thought of the great Syretta Salahadyn INTAKE COORDINATOR organization I have the fortune of leading and the courageous staff with whom I work and I knew I should look forward. ACLU-MS BOARD OF DIRECTORS As you will read in this letter, the ACLU of Mississippi has been tremendously busy Alison Steiner in its work to protect constitutional rights and extend civil liberties. Our efforts PRESIDENT have included vigorous legislative efforts which resulted in defeat of many bad bills Jack Williams to include House Bill 1305 intended to create an exemption to public records for SECRETARY pharmaceutical companies supplies lethal injection compounds; legal action in defense Monica Galloway of children in school including action to protect students first amendment rights TREASURER of expression and defending them against practices intended to push them into the Olga Osby school to prison pipeline; and our advocacy energies safeguarding citizens by requiring NATIONAL BOARD REPRESENTATIVE transparency and accountability of law enforcement agencies. Catherine Sullivan None of our efforts however would be possible without you. As you read this letter, I Eddie Outlaw hope that you will feel a sense of pride in the work we are able to do because of your Mary Gigueroa support. Please continue to contribute – together we are making Mississippi better! Ravi Perry Sam Edward Arnold Sincerely, Jennifer Riley-Collins Mary Graham Alexander Martin Leave a legacy of liberty Julie Schroeder BOARD OF DIRECTORS for generations to come. Charles Holmes MEETING DATES Thousands of passionate civil Cassadra Welchlin libertarians have stepped forward and Stephen Silberman June 6, 2015 expressed their most cherished values Dan Roach by making a deeply meaningful gift Laura Martin September 12, 2015 to the ACLU in their estate plans. Melanie Deas Annual Meeting of the Membership We invite you to join this special group of ACLU supporters who have made FOUNDATION BOARD freedom, justice, and equality their legacy. Andy Guerra Annual Meeting of the Board To learn more, or to take advantage Dorothy Abbott (Officer Election) of our estate planning resources, ACLU Annual Dinner visit www.aclu.org/legacy or call toll-free 877-867-1025. 2 BECAUSE FREEDOM CAN’T PROTECT ITSELF 2015 Legislative Session Comes to an End BY KEIA JOHNSON, LEGISLATIVE STRATEGIST The 2015 legislative session came to an official end on April 3rd 2015. Below is a breakdown of some of the key bills we actively supported or opposed during the 2015 Legislative Session. Bills are listed by issue area with their current status italicized. Reduce Mississippi’s Prison laws. HB1305 violated principles of Protect Women’s Rights Population / Support Restorative transparency and open government. Justice Supported HB113, HB12, and HB1200- Died in Committee. The purpose of these bills was to create Supported SB2059, SB2053, and HB602 Equal Treatment of All People the “Fair Pay Act” to require employers to - These measures were intended to pay equivalent pay for equivalent jobs— authorize the creation of the “Re-Entry Opposed HB714 – Under HB714 there regardless of sex, race, national origin, age Council,” to help inmates successfully would be a rebuttable presumption or disability. reintegrate into society. Legislation like formed that a child being placed in the All died in Committee. this promotes principles of restorative custody of a homosexual parent is not justice and rehabilitation. in the best interest of the child. This bill Opposed SB2138 – This measure SB2059 and SB2053 died in Committee. fostered discrimination on the basis of intended to increase the minimum HB602 was approved by the Governor. sexual orientation. waiting period before a woman can have Died in Committee. an abortion from 24 hours to 72 hours. Supported SB2780- This legislation Died in Committee. sought to provide immunity from arrest Proposed HB408 and SB2107 –The or prosecution for certain drug violations bills mandated that all sections of the Guarantee Safe and Supportive committed by a person seeking treatment Mississippi Code be amended to require Schools for a drug overdose. The SB2780 “Good the use of Person First Respectful Supported HB429- HB429 sought Samaritan Act” addresses substance language when referencing people with to directly tackle the school to prison abuse as a public health matter, not a law disabilities. Mississippi’s laws currently pipeline in Mississippi by requiring enforcement matter. use outdated and offensive terminology in that schools annually report unlawful The language in SB2780 was combined reference to people with disabilities. activity to the Mississippi Department with the language in HB692 to create HB408 died in Committee. SB2107 passed of Education. The bill also required “The Emergency Response and Prevention the House and Senate. The bill’s conference ongoing training for school staff and law Overdose Act”. HB692 was approved by report was filed and is now due from the enforcement professionals. the Governor. Governor. Died in Committee. Supported HB173 “Ban the