In this issue…
Action for Parole Reform in New York: #LessIsMoreNY
In CT: #CutShutINVEST Community Conversation
Katal at 5 – Anniversary Dialogue Series
Action for Parole Reform in New York: #LessIsMoreNY
This week we held our latest #LessIsMoreNY campaign call, with more than 100 people registering for the meeting, and we provided an update on the bill’s progress in the Senate.
Now we turn our attention to March, where we have a series of actions coming up to continue building momentum to pass #LessIsMoreNY. First, an update: we have a new sponsor for Less Is More in the State Assembly and a new bill number to match the Senate bill — Assembly bill A5576, sponsored by Assemblymember Phara Souufrant Forrest, who represents the 57th Assembly District in Brooklyn. The bill’s introduction also included 15 co-sponsors from the Assembly, joining 22 of their colleagues in the Senate. We will continue to gather more co-sponsors.
On the Senate side, we are hosting a #LessIsMoreNY Town Hall with the Senate sponsor of the bill, Senator Brian Benjamin on Wednesday, March 3rd from 6 p.m to 7 p.m., via zoom. Register to participate via Zoom here and watch live at facebook.com/NYSenBenjamin.
As part of our big push, please join us for a #LessIsMoreNY Day of Action in March, which will be held on each Wednesday of the month, where we will be calling on the legislature and governor to pass #LessIsMoreNY!
Register in advance and join us for a #LessIsMore Day of Action!
In CT: #CutShutINVEST Community Conversation
Last week, we hosted a Community Conversation and Campaign Kickoff for #CutShutINVEST – our campaign calling on the Governor and Legislature to:
- Cut the number of people incarcerated in jails and prisons, cut the number of people on probation and parole, cut the number of correctional staff, cut down the funding to Department of Corrections
- Shut prisons down.
- Invest in the communities most harmed by systemic racism and mass incarceration, into housing, healthcare, education, jobs, and more.
We welcomed over 90 participants on our zoom call, and had an engaging conversation– with breakout rooms and all — centered around decarceration, closing prisons, and investing in Connecticut communities. If you missed the chance to join, check out our twitter thread on the community conversation and campaign kick-off here.
Interested in continuing the conversation? Or hosting a #CutShutINVEST Info Session & House Party? Please contact our Community Organizer Alycia Gay at agay@katalcenter.org.
Katal at 5 – Anniversary Dialogue Series
Keep practicing social distancing, wear your mask, wash your hands, and check in on your neighbors. 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 health, equity, and justice for everyone. Join us: web, Twitter, Facebook! Email: info@katalcenter.org. Phone: 646.875.8822.