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The Cities Funding Legal Defense for Immigrants

Zoe Sullivan

May 21, 2019 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

As the struggles of refugees and immigrants drudges on, a number of cities across the US are gathering funding for their legal defense. One strategy, a legal counsel program called New York Family Immigrant Unity Project, has proven so successful that it now has 19 other counties in states like Colorado and Georgia participating in their network. Beyond that, these public defense projects often comprise of both public and private dollars and are all working for the right (not guaranteed by the US Constitution) to have access to legal counsel during immigration proceedings.

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Stuck in detention: For immigrants without lawyers, justice is hard to find

Natalie Yahr

May 19, 2019 |

Wisconsin Watch |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Madison, Wisconsin

In Dane County, Wisconsin, one of 13 sites in the nation served by a program to give immigrants held in detention access to free legal help, attorneys greatly increase the odds that their clients can successfully fight deportation by winning their release pending a final court ruling in their cases. Immigrants represented by counsel, who also are reunited with their families and can continue working, are more than six times as likely to be allowed to stay in the U.S. as those who lack legal representation.

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They threw this mom in jail over a probation violation. These activists bailed her out.

Natasha S. Alford

May 11, 2019 |

TheGrio |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Maryland

Across the United States, Black Mama’s Bail out bailed out hundreds of black women in time for Mother’s Day. The organization accepts donations to pay bail for women cannot afford it on their own as part of their larger goal of ending the cash bail system and mass incarceration. Research shows that while black women are increasingly one of the largest groups of incarcerated individuals, and yet simply posting bail has led to a majority of these cases being dropped.

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#FreeBlackMamas works to bail black mothers out of jail in time for Mother's Day

Erin Evans

May 11, 2019 |

NBC News |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Community organizing groups around the country have mobilized to get black mothers out of prison. The initiative #FreeBlackMamas has raised over $1 million dollars in donations since 2017 and comes as a growing response against the cash bail system. Besides bailing out black mothers, the groups seek to build community and address the larger systemic issue of race and incarceration.

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“What Does the World Beyond Jails and Prisons Look Like?”

Zenobia Jeffries

April 18, 2019 |

Yes! Magazine |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

The Detroit Justice Center is providing a comprehensive approach to breaking the cycle of poverty in the county. The nonprofit law firm provides immediate support, like paying back child support and posting the cash bail payments that keep those experiencing poverty trapped in a cycle of debt and imprisonment. The group also aims high in their larger efforts to disrupt the criminal justice system, like suing the county to prevent the building of a new jail complex, and provides their clients and the community the chance to reimagine what the city could look like with transformative and economic justice.

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Drawing better lines so that Native votes count

Jodi Rave

March 24, 2019 |

Indian Country Today |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Crow Indian Reservation, United States, Montana

Including Native Americans in the political process requires sustained efforts in redistricting by communities. The success of the 2018 mid-term election in bringing the first Native American women into Congress was made possible by the creation of legislative districts that gave Native American communities a voice. A comparison of the US states of Montana and North Dakota illustrates the importance of long-term collaboration, legal action, and community organization in redistricting efforts.

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Baltimore enacts new rules to root out squalid rental properties. But some tenants could lose their homes

Doug Donovan

February 07, 2019 |

The Baltimore Sun |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore passed a law that cracks down on rental property owners that have been operating without required inspection, leaving renters living in squalor. While critics fear that owners and landlords may lose business, advocates note that living conditions have drastically improved for those renting homes in these buildings.

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Sen. Bennet: Collaboration that led to CORE Act could model a cure for “partisan disease” ailing politics

Jason Blevins

February 01, 2019 |

The Colorado Sun |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Denver, Colorado

Politicians and community leaders across Colorado take legislative creation out of Washington and into the areas they're trying to protect. Stakeholders around the state, many of whom disagree socially and politically, worked together to create a measure to protect 400,000 acres of public land while factoring in ways to maintain economic success.

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Proposed Gun Bill: Extreme Risk Protection Order

Megan Kamerick

January 18, 2019 |

KNME-PBS |

Broadcast TV Programs |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, New Mexico

Eleven states in the United States have implemented some version of “red flag laws" which aim to remove guns from those that are showing signs of imminent threat. With studies showing that these bipartisan laws are having a successful impact in the states where they are enforced, New Mexico is now looking to also implement similar policy changes during the next legislative session.

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Durham County Dismisses Hundreds of Traffic Fines as Part of a License Restoration Effort

Sarah Willets

January 15, 2019 |

INDY Week |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Durham, North Carolina

Durham County relieved hundreds of outstanding traffic fines in an effort to restore suspended driver's licenses. The program, called Durham Expungement and Restoration (DEAR), "identified more than 11,000 people eligible to have outstanding fines dropped" from charges resulting from court absence or inability to pay a traffic ticket.

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