Alliance Fall Updates
Happy Fall to All!
For those who may not know, the Vermont Racial Justice Alliance was established by Justice For All to leverage collective strengths and voices to implement public policy that will address systemic and overt racism in Vermont. Led by people of color, the Vermont Racial Justice Alliance consists of both individuals and organizations committed to the work of advocating, implementing and defending policy. Information on joining the Vermont Racial Justice Alliance can be found here. Meetings are the second Tuesday of each month, from 5:30 PM till 6:15 PM at the First Congregational Church, 38 S. Winooski Ave., Burlington Our Next meeting is October 8th. There is a Use of Force Forum on the agenda (discussed later).
#ChangeVermont Legislative Agenda
- Proposal to Remove Slavery from the Vermont Constitution, PR.2
- Slavery Reparations for African Americans, H.478
- Appropriate Use of Force, S.119 and H.464
- Data Collection in the Justice System, H.284
People of Color Steering Committee Meeting
Oct 23, Nov 27 and Dec 27
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
First Congregational Church
38 South Winooski Ave., Burlington
Use of Force: How Much is Enough and How Do We Know it?
Oct 8, 2019
Oct 24, 2019
6:30 PM till 8:30 PM
First Congregational Church
38 S. Winooski Ave., Burlington
Law enforcement Use of Force in Vermont is a hot topic these days. With the numerous challenges that the topic presents, community engagement and awareness on the matter is an imperative. From training to policy and data collection, this community forum will provide insight on Use of Force in policing In Vermont and share policy proposals to take us forward. S.119 or H.464 are recommended for review prior to attending. Burlington Police Brandon Chief Del pozo is confirmed.
Systemic Racism: Origins, Impacts and Solutions
Oct 16, 2019
6:30 PM till 8:30 PM
First Congregational Church
38 S. Winooski Ave., Burlington
What is systemic racism and how does it manifest in Vermont? What can we do about it? Join us for a brief talk laying out the anatomy of systemic racism and the very real and tangible persistent components of this system that continues to plague us as a nation today. Then interact with an illuminating panel discussion that unpacks systemic racism and discusses solutions. Read More Here we shine a light on this system of oppression from a historical perspective as well as come to terms with its continued impact on us in Vermont. Act 54 Racial Disparities in State Systems Report and Recommendations (2017) is a recommended for review prior to attending.
Making the Justice System Work With Data
Nov 12, 2019
6:30 PM til 8:30 PM
First Congregational Church
38 South Winooski Ave., Burlington
Join a lecture and panel discussion on the origins and emergence of race data collection in the Vermont justice system. Panel one will discuss the early days of voluntary data collection by four agencies in Chittenden County and State Police. The second panel will discuss our current state and the proposed legislative approaches in data collection in the justice system for the future. H.284 is recommended for review prior to attending. Representative Colburn, Professor Stephanie Seguino, Christine Kemp Longmore, Wanda Hines and Skyler Nash are confirmed. We’re excited to release the Race Traffic Stop Dashboard during this meeting.
The Facts About Slavery in Vermont
Nov 20, 2019
6:30 PM till 8:30 PM
First Congregational Church
38 South Winooski Ave., Burlington
Join us as we discuss “The Facts About Slavery In Vermont“. Most are starting to come to understand that the United States constitution has a loophole that has always permitted slavery “for the punishment of a duly convicted crime”. But what would you say if you discovered the Vermont State constitution contains a loophole of it’s own? Professor and Author, Harvey Amani Whitfield, Vermont Law School Constitutional Law Professor, Peter Teachout and former US Attorney and Author Gary Shattuck will be on panel to discuss the implications. Executive Director of Justice For All, Mark Hughes and legislators will update us on efforts underway to amend the constitution and more. PR.2 is recommended for review prior to attending. Peter Teachout, Harvney Amani Whitfield and Gary Shattuck are confirmed.
Reparations For Slavery in Vermont: Is that a Thing?
Dec 10, 2019
6:30 PM till 8:30 PM
First Congregational Church
38 South Winooski Ave., Burlington
As the national dialogue on reparations continues and despite the introduction of a slavery reparations bill in early 2019, law makers remain largely silent on the matter of reparations in Vermont. We’re advancing the discussion. To what extent does the harm done from slavery persist today? Is the appointment of a task force to examine an apology and reparations the appropriate solution? What are the hopes and fears of community and policy makers surrounding the prospect of such task force? There is allot to unpack and we’ll bring representatives from community, policy makers, clergy and activists together for the panel discussion. H.478 is recommended for review prior to attending.
The Racial Justice Alliance #ChangeVermont Legislative Agenda
Dec 18, 2019
6:30 PM till 8:30 PM
First Congregational Church
38 South Winooski Ave., Burlington
The Racial Justice Alliance presents #ChangeVermont, an agenda focused largely on continuing to dismantle systemic racism in Vermont. The Racial Justice Alliance and bill sponsors will present the full #ChangeVermont legislative agenda and priorities for 2020 in a public forum. Legislators are invited to join in on the community discussion. The Racial Justice Alliance Legislative Agenda is recommended for review prior to attending.
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Justice For All pursues racial justice within Vermont’s criminal justice system through advocacy, education, and relationship-building. Become a member?
Mark Hughes,
Executive Director, Justice For All
Coordinator, Racial Justice Alliance
mark@justiceforallvt.org
t @Mark_A_Hughes
I Mark.A.Hughes
802.532.3030
http://justiceforallvt.org/
