In this issue:
Lorenzo Jones to Keynote NC Overdose Conference
Statement from #CLOSErikers Campaign on Mayor’s Roadmap for Rikers
NY Governor and Senate Majority Fail to Act on Speedy Trial Reform
lorenzo jones to keynote nc overdose conference
Lorenzo Jones, Katal’s Co-Executive Director and co-founder, will be the keynote speaker at the Opioid Misuse and Overdose Prevention Summit in North Carolina on June 29, 2017. Hosted by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the Summit seeks to “engage, educate, and energize” participants to “focus on social determinants, healthcare, harm reduction, criminal justice, and community strategies around opioid misuse, addiction, and overdose death.” Lorenzo’s keynote will focus on building diverse alliances and powerful coalitions between harm reductionists and community organizers, and the need for all reformers to develop an analysis around addressing racism and advancing equity. If you’re in North Carolina, or want more details, check out the Summit website.
statement from #closerikers campaign on mayor’s roadmap for rikers
As you know, Katal is a co-anchor of the #CLOSErikers campaign. Three months ago, the campaign forced Mayor Bill DeBlasio to make closing Rikers the official policy of New York City. Today, the mayor announced his “Roadmap to Closing Rikers Island.” Unfortunately, his plan lacks vision and sense of urgency, and fails to incorporate much-needed community input. Further, the mayor argues for a 10-year timeline for closure, one that is simply too long for communities harmed by Rikers. See our statement with JustLeadershipUSA and VOCAL-NY, here. And you can read the mayor’s report here.
ny governor and senate majority fail to act on speedy trial reform
Katal staff and members were back in Albany for the final few days of the 2017 legislative session, making one final push in the Senate for passage of speedy trial reform. In New York, people charged with a crime often must wait months or years for their day in court. The Assembly unanimously passed Kalief’s Law earlier this year, but the Senate Majority and the Governor failed to act, again. As a result of this dysfunction in Albany, New Yorkers continue to be denied their basic constitutional right. See our statement here about the conclusion of the legislative session. Want more information, or want to get involved in efforts to reform speedy trial in New York? Contact Mo Farrell: Mo@Katalcenter.org.
