#LessIsMoreNY Town Hall
Prior to the passage of the Less Is More Act, New York spent over $680 million dollars a year incarcerating people for technical violations of parole. Now the the Less is More Act is law, the state will save hundreds of millions of dollars. Where should these funds be invested?
During the Town Hall, we will discuss implementation thus far, and hear from YOU about how you would invest the savings from the Less Is More Act. Come share your opinions with lawmakers.
For more details, please reach out to Melanie Dominquez at melanie@katalcenter.org.
Yesterday’s NY Statewide Criminal Justice Reform Call
Yesterday we held the May Statewide Criminal Justice Reform Call. With less than a month left in the 2022 legislative session, Thursday’s call focused on the important reforms that still need to get passed this session, with reports from groups leading Clean Slate NY, the Adult Survivors Act, Treatment Not Jails, and the Elder Parole & Fair and Timely Parole campaigns. As usual, our lobbyist shared updates about the upcoming primaries and we spent extra time discussing the redistricting process in NY.Want the notes from the call? Sign up! Our next call is June 9th, and this will be our last call before the end of the 2022 legislative session. Register here to join us on Thursday, June 9 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Reflections on Mayor Eric Adams, by Lorenzo Jones
Check out this new op-ed by our Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director, Lorenzo Jones, Reflections on Mayor Eric Adams: The Poor Man’s Rudy Giuliani. Lorenzo discusses how Mayor Adams is pushing to bring back the policies of the failed drug war like stop-and-frisk, and how local organizing and civic engagement are necessary to hold him accountable. Read Lorenzo’s op-ed here and let us know what you think!
We’re hiring – NYC Community Organizer
We’re hiring for a community organizer in New York. This is a great opportunity for organizers who want to join a stellar organizing team focused on:
- Building collective power
- Advancing racial justice
- Developing the leadership of neighborhood residents
Click here for more info and to apply for the New York Community Organizer Position!
Sundiata is Coming Home!
In movement news, on Tuesday, the New Jersey Supreme Court granted the release of 85-year-old Sundiata Acoli, after serving more than 49 years in prison. Sundiata is a father, grandfather, teacher, community leader, and former Black Panther. For decades, the officials in New Jersey wrongfully denied Sundiata’s release by claiming he was a risk to public safety. His release was made possible through the sustained work of organizers, advocates, and attorneys who worked with Sundiata for his freedom. Salute! Read more Sundiata’s release here.
Katal Quotes of the Week
These are some of the quotes we’re thinking about this week.
“Ella Baker was not interested in elite strategy sessions or flowery oratory. She was about the hard, unglamorous work of building relationships, mobilizing communities, developing campaigns and creating new organizers.” –Barbara Ransby, writing about Ms. Baker.
“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” – Phil Jackson
For printing and distribution, Katal Weekly Update PDF version.
Katal works to strengthen the people, policies, institutions, and movements that advance equity, health, and justice. Join us: web, Twitter, Facebook! Email: info@katalcenter.org. Phone: 646.875.8822.
