In this issue…
Defending and Implementing#LessIsMoreNY
NY Statewide Criminal Justice Reform Call
Defending and Implementing #LessIsMoreNY
#LessIsMoreNY Campaign Update Call, 10/19/2021 – nearly 100 people registered to join us and our partners this month.
On Tuesday, we held our monthly #LessIsMoreNY Campaign Update call with our partners at Unchained and A Little Piece of Light. We shared updates about the status of #LessIsMoreNY: the bill has not yet been fully implemented, meaning that its positive impact — on the 35,000 people on parole and their loved one’s — will not be felt until Gov. Hochul implements the bill entirely. The bill’s effective start date is March 1, 2022 but there is a clause that allows for the immediate and full implementation of #LessIsMoreNY, so we’re calling on Gov. Hochul to implement the bill now
We also discussed how #LessIsMoreNY is already under attack. Those who oppose reform, like the NY Post, are already using racist lie to call for repeal. They want even more people to be incarcerated in jails and prisons in New York, including at Rikers Island. Last weekend, a Senate Republican wrote an op-ed filled with lies and misinformation about the #LessIsMoreNY Act. The leadership of the #LessIsMoreNY Coalition responded – Read our statement here.
We know this fight isn’t over. Here are some actions steps and resources to help defend and fully implement #LessIsMoreNY:
- Resource: To learn more about the provisions and impact of #LessIsMoreNY, please check out this new op-ed by Katal’s Imani Webb-Smith
- Action Step: Use our new online action tool to contact the Governor and tell her to implement #LessIsMoreNY immediately. Take online action here.
- Stay involved: To receive updates and alerts about the #LessIsMoreNY campaign, sign up here.
If you have any questions about the #LessIsMoreNY Campaign Update call, please contact Melanie Dominguez at Melanie@katalcenter.org.
NY Statewide Criminal Justice Reform Call
Last Thursday, we hosted our NY Statewide Criminal Justice Reform Call. Nearly 200 people registered. We had a lively discussion with updates on what’s happening in Albany on criminal justice reform.
Our speakers for the NY Statewide Criminal Justice Reform Call included:
- Artie Malkin, Malkin & Ross (lobbyist) discussed what to expect in the upcoming session, the recent bills that were signed, and push back against CJ reform in the state.
- Melissa Moore, Drug Policy Alliance: spoke about the “Death by Dealer” and the need to push back against pro-drug war policies.
- Stephanie Bazell, College and Community Fellowship: discussed the Turn on the TAP campaign to repeal ban on financial aid for students behind bars.
- Biz Berthy, VOCAL-NY: discussed the two harm reduction bills that the Governor signed.
- Melanie Dominguez, Katal Center: spoke about the Governor signing Less Is More Act, pushback by Republicans and PEF, and implementation.
If you’re not already attending these calls, you should be. We send out notes every month to the folks who register. Register for our next NY Statewide Criminal Justice Reform Call, on Wednesday, November 10 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
The goals of the NY Statewide Criminal Justice Reform Call are to:
- Highlight issues, campaigns, and projects that groups are working on to advance statewide reform;
- Identify ways to align, coordinate, and support each other in the work to end mass incarceration in New York;
- Strengthen community organizing and advocacy organizations to build movement in New York.
If you have any questions about the statewide call or would like to present on an upcoming call, please contact Yonah at yonah@katalcenter.org.
Katal Quotes of the Week
These are some of the quotes we’re thinking about this week.
“Service is the rent that you pay for room on this earth.”–Shirley Chisolm
“When we organize, we strive to create the conditions that allow for people to work together to win the change they want to see in the world. At it’s heart, organizing is about helping people build power, and the best way to do this is together.” –Becky Bond
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Be safe as possible out there, and get vaccinated as soon as you can. If you want to get involved, learn more about our work, or just connect, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
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.
