Criminalization of Poverty and 21st Century Debtors’ Prisons
In support of Essie Justice Group and Civil Justice Corps (this will be a skinny strip going all the way across (no left/right margin)

4.17.18 PUBLIC FORUM
WILMERHALE, WASHINGTON, DC

4.24.18 CONCERT | THE HAMILTON, WASHINGTON, DC
PUBLIC FORUM
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A Conversation on the Criminalization of Poverty and 21st Century Debtors’ Prisons was a thought-provoking conversation and panel discussion hosted by Seth Waxman hosted and moderated by Vanita Gupta, featuring Alec Karakatsanis of Civil Rights Corps along with Gina Clayton of Essie Justice Group. Many thanks to….
CONCERT
It was an incredible concert featuring the songs of Billie Holiday as interpreted by the award-winning artists Cécile McLorin Salvant, Paula Cole, Dom Flemons, Marshall Crenshaw, and Kandace Springs. This eclectic and incredible group of pioneering singer-songwriters proved that, with every breath, art has the power to create positive world change.
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BENEFICIARIES
Approximately 70% of Americans in jail today are there because of a lack of financial resources with which to pay bail bonds and related fees (even for petty crimes like parking tickets). This is jail time predicated solely on financial need. Civil Rights Corps and co-beneficiary Essie Justice Group are making major strides to fight inequality in our criminal legal system. JusticeAid is excited to help, and we appreciate your support.
Civil Rights Corps brings cutting-edge class-action litigation all over the country to challenge corruption in our legal system, and they’re making a major impact. Civil Rights Corps has already has won victories over unconstitutional bail systems in jurisdictions in Texas, Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee, and more, as well as challenging debtors’ prisons all over the South. Civil Rights Corps succeeds because of their commitment to partnering with community-based organizations in each of the localities where they take action, ensuring that local solutions take shape based on local input.
Essie Justice Group is an Oakland, California-based organization that mobilizes women with incarcerated loved ones to take on the rampant injustices created by mass incarceration, and they are helping lead the campaign for bail reform in California. Essie’s award-winning Healing to Advocacy Model brings women together to heal, build collective power, and drive social change. Essie is building a membership of fierce advocates for race and gender justice—including Black and Latinx women, formerly and currently incarcerated women, transwomen, and gender non-conforming people.


HOSTS & SPONSORS

- Ilham Askia, Executive Director, Gideon’s Promise
- Stephen B. Bright, President and Senior Counsel,
- Southern Center for Human Rights
- Neko Case, Musician and recording artist
- Angela J. Davis, American University Law Professor and former Director of the DC Public Defender Service
- Soffi yah Elijah, Executive Director, Correctional Association of New York
- Rhiannon Giddens, Singer, musician, and actor
- Karl A. Racine, First elected Attorney General of the District of Columbia
- Jon Rapping, Founder and President of Gideon’s Promise
- Seth Waxman, Co-Chair, Appellate and Supreme Court Litigation Practice, WilmerHale; Former, Solicitor General of the U.S. (1997-2001)
- Mark Rochon, Chair
- Leila Babaeva
- Barry Boss
- Shelley Broderick
- Charles Bush
- Anne DiRosa
- Eden Durbin
- Renee McCoy-Collins
- Stephen Milliken
- Preston Pugh
- Matthew Reinhard
- Jim Rowe
- Addy Schmitt
- Miller Chevalier
- Zuckerman Spaeder
- FWD.us
- HR’73 Class Act
- The Jeffress Family
- James Blaine and Cynthia Stroud
- Sophia McCrocklin and Bill Isaacson
- Nancy McGregor and Neal Manne