What happens when a mother goes to prison?

 

The fastest growing population in U.S. prisons and jails are women. The majority are mothers. This year, an estimated 1.6 million children across the country will be separated from their mothers because of incarceration. The new documentary Apart illustrates the impact of incarceration on women and their families, and we’re excited to announce that Represent Justice is launching an impact campaign alongside the film’s broadcast premiere on PBS on February 21. Apart follows Tomika, Lydia and Amanda, three mothers incarcerated in Ohio, as they prepare to return home from prison and work to rebuild their lives after being separated from their children for years. Their stories overlap at Chopping for Change, a workforce development program run by Malika Kidd, an advocate who is also formerly incarcerated.  Through our impact campaign, we’ll work to build public demand for gender-responsive reentry programs for the women who are released from jails and prisons every day. We’ll connect with reentry programs, businesses, and nonprofit organizations to facilitate screenings that help educate and mobilize people around supporting the incarcerated women returning to their communities.  Don’t miss out on the chance to watch Tomika, Lydia, Amanda, and Malika share their reentry journeys. Together, we can create a world that supports incarcerated people as they return home and rebuild their lives. Thank you, Represent Justice WATCH THE TRAILER

© 2021 Represent Justice 777 S Alameda St, 2nd Floor Los Angeles, CA 90021

Screen On These Grounds free from December 27 through December 31

 

Film Synopsis A video goes viral, showing a white police officer in South Carolina pull a Black teenager from her school desk and throw her across the floor. Healer-Activist Vivian Anderson uproots her life in New York City to move to South Carolina to support the girl and dismantle the system behind the assault at Spring Valley, including facing the police officer. Adding context, geographer Janae Davis treks the surrounding swamps and encounters the homes of formerly enslaved people of African descent, connecting the past to the present. Against the backdrop of a racial reckoning and its deep historical roots, one incident illuminates how Black girls, with the support of organizers, are creating a more just and equitable future for themselves and our entire education system. Credits Directed by Garrett Zevgetis Produced by Ariana Garfinkel, Jeff Consiglio, Chico Colvard Original Music by Chanda Dancy Edited by Jeff Consiglio Co-Editor Chrystie Martinez Gouz Executive Producers: Kevin S. Bright, Ian Brownell Associate Producers: Aisha Hallgren, Madison O'Leary, Eddie Wilson, Hong Zhu Cinematography by Alexandre Naufel, Christopher Lewis Dawkins, Pablo Durana, Ryan Miyamoto, Laura Kissel, Vanessa Carr

School may be out for winter break, but the conversation about how to create a safe, and supportive learning environment without pushing students into the carceral system continues. Amid a global health crisis and that has lasted for two academic years already, our students are going through so much. The documentary On These Grounds offers a reflection on the impact of policing in schools on the safety and wellbeing of our youth — especially on Black girls. And it’s timelier now than ever. That’s why we’re happy to be making it available for free virtual screening starting December 27 until December 31 (On These Grounds is also now available now on Starz). Before school heads back into session, we encourage you to watch this film with your loved ones, and share it with your community.  WATCH TODAY You’ve watched On These Grounds. Here’s how you can help:    Donate to EveryBlackGirl, Inc.: Your donation allows EveryBlackGirl, Inc. to support Black girls around the country who experience trauma caused by over-policing. Contact your representatives: Tell your elected officials to support The Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act, which would prohibit the use of federal funds for police in schools and help schools hire counselors, social workers, and support staff. Look up data on your school district:  Use a guide from the Education Civil Rights Alliance to look up your school district’s public data on racial and disability disparities in discipline, including suspensions, expulsions, and referrals to law enforcement. Connect with local organizers: Join #PoliceFreeSchools, a national campaign led by the Advancement Project and Alliance for Educational Justice, and connect with their local partner organizations in your city or town. Tune into the conversation: Watch Marshan Allen, our VP of Advocacy and Partnerships, moderate a conversation about On These Grounds, with film subjects Niya Kenny and Vivian Anderson, and author and Director of the Georgetown University Juvenile Justice Clinic & Initiative Kristin Henning.  Dive deeper with our discussion guide:  After watching On These Grounds, take a moment to look through our discussion guide to unpack the themes of the film and learn more about the history of police on school campuses. SCREEN FOR FREE You can keep up with the latest updates for On These Grounds by following us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.   Thanks,  Represent Justice

© 2021 Represent Justice 777 S Alameda St, 2nd Floor Los Angeles, CA 90021

BREAKING: Oklahoma Parole Board recommends to commute Julius Jones’ sentence

 

We’ve got big news: The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board just voted 3-1 to recommend to Governor Stitt that Julius Jones’ sentence be commuted to life with parole—an important step in bringing Julius home. Your voices were a critical part in getting us here in the fight for Julius’ life through a chorus of public support and engagement. Help spread this news far and wide. Share it with your friends and family on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Although this means Julius will not be walking out a free man as soon as we hoped, he will soon be able to spend his days inside no longer on death row and in the future, be eligible for parole. My heart is full of admiration for the incredible organizers that laid the foundation for today, including Cece Jones-Davis, who envisioned and committed herself to Julius’ freedom long before most of us, and the entire Justice for Julius coalition for their efforts. I pray that Governor Stitt will accept today’s recommendation from the Pardon and Parole Board or—even better—commute Julius’ sentence to time served so that he is able to return home to his family for the first time in over 20 years. I urge Julius’ supporters to continue making their voices heard and to remember: freedom is forever our goal. Take a moment right now to share the news with your networks on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Thanks for all of your support in the efforts to get justice for Julius. We’ll reach out with next steps and more action items to help soon. Let’s bring Julius home. Daniel Daniel Forkkio CEO Represent Justice

© 2021 Represent Justice 777 S Alameda St, 2nd Floor Los Angeles, CA 90021