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On One Issue, Americans Are United. Too Many Are Behind Bars.

Tina Rosenberg

October 30, 2019 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington, District of Columbia

In such a divided country, many groups from lawmakers to advocacy groups are finding rare bipartisan cooperation around the issue of criminal justice reform. Two congressional representatives, one Republican and one Democrat, have found common ground, as well as the Justice Action Network, which forms bipartisan coalitions, one of which was instrumental in passing the First Step Act.

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What California can learn from Seattle about police shootings

Laurel Rosenhall

October 26, 2019 |

CalMatters |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

Seattle has taken a comprehensive approach to police reform, including forming a community police commission, the development of policies on appropriate weapon use, more oversight on police force, and the creation of a specialty unit that focuses on mental health. While there has been pushback from officers, the safety of officers hasn’t been compromised and the use of force has decreased by sixty percent. With some calling it a success, California seeks to implement similar reform at the state level.

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An Athenian remedy: the rise, fall and possible rebirth of democracy

Patrick Chalmers

October 16, 2019 |

The Correspondent |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Greece

Citizens’ assemblies, which allow for mass participation in political debates and decision-making with a lottery system to select speakers, are increasingly being used to overcome issues such as corruption and the unwillingness by incumbent politicians to address controversial issues. Many countries now use citizens’ assemblies, including Ireland who used one in 2017 to push forward a debate and decision on its abortion ban after decades of political deadlock. Citizens’ assemblies do face challenges, including being dismantled by ruling politicians who feel they challenge incumbent power.

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How solar ‘skin' helped an Indiana homeowner win a fight for rooftop panels

Kari Lydersen

October 15, 2019 |

Energy News Network |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Indianapolis, Indiana

After the homeowners association denied his request to install solar panels on his roof due to their aesthetic, Indianapolis-resident Joey Myles used SolarSkin to disguise the panels to look like asphalt shingles. The company Sistine Solar makes these films that coat solar panels in various images that can be used to blend in with roofs or other forms of artwork. The panels with skins only generate about 85 percent of energy as those without skins, but they can withstand extreme weather.

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Let's nix Columbus Day and make Election Day a paid holiday instead

Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

October 14, 2019 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Sandusky, Ohio

Sandusky, Ohio, recently got rid of Columbus Day in favor of a holiday on Election Day, following the lead of several countries around the world such as South Africa, Germany, and India. Sandusky's swapping of Columbus Day for Election Day is largely symbolic, but symbols can be powerful, especially for small towns.

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Can 'deliberative polling' solve political polarization?

Fareed Zakaria

October 13, 2019 |

CNN |

Broadcast TV Programs |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Dallas, Texas

While many politicians use political polarization to their advantage, communities across the world are finding that talking through the divide can actually have an impact on how someone votes. Polls conducted before and after community dialogue sessions show that perspectives of many of those participating changed, and in Ireland, many think this strategy is what resulted in the legalization of abortion.

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City Campaign Finance System Charts Path—and Highlights Challenges—for State Reform

Kate Pastor

October 09, 2019 |

City Limits |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

New York City's campaign finance system has offered a blueprint for a similar statewide system. Since it was implemented, the city's campaign finance program, which awards public funds up to a certain limit to candidates, has helped grassroots candidates launch competitive campaigns against entrenched, deep-pocketed opponents.

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In Myanmar, underground poetry nights build bridges between Rohingya and Burmese writers

Victoria Milko Clare Hammond

October 01, 2019 |

Public Radio International (PRI) |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Myanmar, Yangon

Underground poetry nights build bridges between Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and Burmese writers in Myanmar. Over video, Rohingya poets who fled persecution in Myanmar can connect with people from their home country and share their art. The events are covert because it's dangerous to support Rohingya in Myanmar, but the event is empowering contributors through collaboration and shared activism. There are about 150 Rohingya poets in refugee camps in Bangladesh.

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Jewish and Arab women unite to defy Bedouin voter suppression in Israeli election

Eetta Prince-Gibson

September 18, 2019 |

Public Radio International (PRI) |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Israel

Jewish and Arab organizers arranged for volunteers to bring Bedouin women in remote villages to their polling place to vote in parliamentary elections. Bedouin villages on tribal lands don’t have polling places, so dozens of women volunteers used their own cars (due to a last-minute ruling making it hard for organized groups to bus voters) to bring hundreds of Bedouin women to distant polling stations. Many of the women would not have voted without the help of the volunteers, who contributed at least in part to the 10-percentage point voter turnout increase in Arab communities.

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IMPD used to fatally shoot more people than NYC or Chicago. Here's what changed.

Casey Smith Ryan Martin

September 18, 2019 |

IndyStar (The Indianapolis Star) |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Indianapolis, Indiana

Under new leadership, Indianapolis has seen a drastic decline in fatal police shootings. While the new police chief, Bryan Roach, shares credit with his entire force, many credit his new policies for the decline. Initiatives like addressing behavioral health, implicit bias training, and mental health crisis training are just some of the changes being made. While much progress has been made, there is still a ways to go when it comes to rebuilding trust within the community.

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