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Katal Connecticut Update- October 20, 2022

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Invest in communities — not jails and prisons.

Last week, the Prison Policy Initiative released a new report that highlights how communities in Connecticut with the highest incarceration rates also have the highest poverty rates, low education score, and the worse health outcomes in the state. This is wrong, but we can fix it. We’re calling on the Governor and state legislature to CUT the number of people held in jails and prisons, SHUT jails and prisons down, and INVEST in securing real community safety through housing, education, health care, and other supports and services.

Join us by signing this petition to Governor Lamont and the legislature #CutShutShutInvest!

This week, we were out door-knocking in the Blue Hills and North End neighborhoods of Hartford. We’re also holding weekly phone banking sessions via zoom, connecting with folks across the state about the need to invest in communities not cages. Join us on the streets for an outreach session. Or join us on zoom for a phone bank session. To get involved, please email Kenyatta Muzzanni at kenyatt@katalcenter.org


Katal at the UCONN School of Social Work

On Tuesday our director of organizing, Kenyatta Muzzanni, spoke with Community Organizing class at the University of Connecticut School of Social Work. Kenyatta spoke about the elements of building a long-term campaign, centering the conversation around our #LessIsMoreNY and #CutShutInvestCT campaigns.

Kenyatta gave real-world examples of coalition building, the necessity of centering leadership development with members, and how to protect your campaign from attacks. The hour-long discussion concluded with action steps for everyone in the class, and an invitation to our November Statewide Criminal Justice Reform Call.

Alumni of the school of social work herself, Kenyatta was grateful for the opportunity to speak with emerging community organizers in Connecticut.

To take action and get involved with Katal, reach out to Kenyatta at kenyatta@katalcenter.org


ICYMI: Katal’s Corner in the Northend Agents

Check out the October edition of the Katal Corner in the Northend Agents. We discuss the need for investments in our communities and not jails and prisons. Instead of spending $62,000 per year to incarcerate someone, Connecticut should invest in housing, health care, education, jobs, and other critical supports and services.Read the full piece here.


 Katal Quotes of the Week

These are some of the quotes we’re thinking about this week.

“You can’t build a machine without nuts and bolts.”— Shel Trap

“Let the wind blow through your heart

For wild is the wind.”–Nina Simone

“We are not trapped or locked up in these bones. No, no. We are free to change. And love changes us. And if we can love one another, we can break open the sky.”–Walter Mosley


For printing and distribution,
download the Katal Weekly Update PDF version.


Katal works to strengthen the people, policies, institutions, and movements that advance equity, health, and justice for everyone.
Join us: web, Twitter, Facebook!
Email: info@katalcenter.org • Phone: 646.875.8822


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