In this issue…
More and More on #LessIsMoreNY
CT Statewide Justice Reform Call
Katal at 5 – Anniversary Dialogue Series
More and More on #LessIsMoreNY
We had a jam packed week of action on #LessIsMoreNY — beginning with our first #LessIsMoreNY Day of Action in March — where we met on zoom to rock out to some music and place calls to Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and state legislators telling them to reform parole in New York with Less Is More.
If you missed this week’s Day of Action, be sure to join us for our next one on Wednesday, March 10 at 11:30am, and every Wednesday in March. Register in advance at bit.ly/LIMNY-ACTION and take action anytime by using our Contact Your Legislator tool.
Our Wednesday ended with a #LessIsMoreNY Town Hall on Parole Reform with Senate bill sponsor, Senator Brian Benjamin and remarks from the Assembly bill sponsor, Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest.
Katal Member Emelissa Curo speaking at the #LessIsMoreNY Town Hall
Among the highlights of the town hall were the powerful statements given by Katal members Emelissa Curo and Michael Hendrickson, who not only shared how the parole system in New York directly impacted their communities and their lives, but also spoke to how #LessIsMoreNY will transform parole in New York State.
Lastly, this week we joined an action with groups including ACT UP NY outside Governor Cuomo’s office, demanding incarcerated individuals be prioritized for #COVID19 vaccines in New York. Katal member Luke Steele spoke at the action, calling for Gov. Cuomo to #FreeThemNowNY, and for the legislature to pass #LessIsMoreNY — Check out a video of Luke’s speech along with photos from the event on Twitter!
And join us next week for a webcast about the substantial financial and human cost of parole supervision in New York with the New York City Bar Association and featuring our Director of Organizing, Kenyatta Thompson.
Register here: NYC BAR Webcast: Jailed Without a Crime: How Technical Parole Violations Drive Mass Incarceration in New York and What to Do About It.
CT Statewide Criminal Justice Reform Monthly Call
Earlier today, we hosted our March CT Statewide Criminal Justice Reform Monthly Call on zoom, featuring an impactful group of speaks including:
- John Bailey II, TCG, with an update on Connecticut’s budget negotiations – including a discussion about the lack of equity in CT’s proposed budget and the ongoing debate to bring equity to Connecticut with investments in impacted communities.
- Jason Ortiz and Kebra Bolden-Smith, Minority Cannabis Business Association speaking about efforts to legalize cannabis in CT and next steps for HB 6377.
- Sky Thompson, CT Central Democratic Socialists of America on the Right to Council campaign and effort to pass legislation to ensure people have counsel in all eviction proceedings.
- Vicky Szantyr, Katal Center sharing information about her testimony to the CT Appropriations Committee on the proposed budget last week and its connection to our #CutShutINVEST campaign.
- Bianca Tylek, Worth Rises on the campaign to ensure free phone calls for people incarcerated in Connecticut’s jails and prisons.
- Tiheba Bain, Women Against Mass Incarceration discussing the effort to provide clemency to more people in CT and the movement to abolish the incarceration of people.
Join us for our next CT Statewide Criminal Justice Reform Call on Thursday, April 1st from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.! Register for the call, hosted virtually on Zoom, 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.
