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Explaining 'Citizens Assemblies', a Real Kind of Democracy

Julia Hotz

December 18, 2019 |

Vice |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, Leeds

In the city of Leeds, England, a group of randomly selected demographically representative citizens came together to solve the climate crisis. This group of twenty-one strangers formed the Leeds Climate Citizens' Jury, which is a smaller version of the better-known Citizen's Assembly. Over the course of several weeks, the members of the assembly or jury learn about and discuss how to tackle a certain political problem, like climate change. Similar assemblies have formed in Ireland, Australia, and Poland to tackle political problems like abortion and nuclear storage.

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Collective Reincorporation: The FARC's fading dream

Oliver Gordon

November 27, 2019 |

Struggles from Below Magazine |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Colombia, Dabeiba

In an effort to reincorporate former guerrillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, the Colombian government created Territorial Training and Reincorporation Spaces (ETCRs) to allow partial autonomy for the guerrilla groups. Many of the ETCRs have created successful product businesses - from chicken farms to community gardens - but community members continue to leave, leaving the ETCRs looking to the government for continued support and land rights.

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Are D.C.'s Streets Finally Getting Safer?

Andrew Small

November 11, 2019 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington, District of Columbia

As the District lagged on its Vision Zero goals, bike and pedestrian advocates in Washington turned traffic fatalities into a rallying cry, and got results.

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Seattle's already doing what California's about to do to limit police use of force. How's it working out?

Laurel Rosenhall Brian Howey

November 07, 2019 |

CalMatters |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

In the past decade, Seattle has reduced their use of force by 60 percent. Spurred by a court order, the reduction comes from greater de-escalation training, stricter, more nuanced policies, and more collaboration between law enforcement and activists. While moving the needle, many cite the long way the city has to go, especially when it comes to how force is still used disproportionately on communities of color. But because they’ve made progress without endangering officers, other states like California look to Seattle as a model of reform.

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Investigative journalists combat Colombia's muzzled press with The League Against Silence

Megan Janetsky

November 06, 2019 |

Poynter |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Colombia

La Liga Contra El Silencio is an alliance of 16 news organizations and hundreds of journalists in Colombia. It protects journalists against threats, which have the effect of censoring reporting on certain topics. La Liga pools resources for in-depth investigative reporting on stories many journalists fear covering and publishes them using the organization’s name in the byline to protect journalists. About 70 stories that brought to light violence and corruption were published in 2018 and 2019, yet the group has not faced any major threats. It could offer a model for how to report under threat worldwide.

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What California can learn from Seattle about police shootings

Laurel Rosenhall

October 26, 2019 |

CalMatters |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

Seattle has taken a comprehensive approach to police reform, including forming a community police commission, the development of policies on appropriate weapon use, more oversight on police force, and the creation of a specialty unit that focuses on mental health. While there has been pushback from officers, the safety of officers hasn’t been compromised and the use of force has decreased by sixty percent. With some calling it a success, California seeks to implement similar reform at the state level.

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Can 'deliberative polling' solve political polarization?

Fareed Zakaria

October 13, 2019 |

CNN |

Broadcast TV Programs |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Dallas, Texas

While many politicians use political polarization to their advantage, communities across the world are finding that talking through the divide can actually have an impact on how someone votes. Polls conducted before and after community dialogue sessions show that perspectives of many of those participating changed, and in Ireland, many think this strategy is what resulted in the legalization of abortion.

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IMPD used to fatally shoot more people than NYC or Chicago. Here's what changed.

Casey Smith Ryan Martin

September 18, 2019 |

IndyStar (The Indianapolis Star) |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Indianapolis, Indiana

Under new leadership, Indianapolis has seen a drastic decline in fatal police shootings. While the new police chief, Bryan Roach, shares credit with his entire force, many credit his new policies for the decline. Initiatives like addressing behavioral health, implicit bias training, and mental health crisis training are just some of the changes being made. While much progress has been made, there is still a ways to go when it comes to rebuilding trust within the community.

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The ‘Badass Grandmas' Who Fought Corruption and Won

Michael Deal

September 17, 2019 |

Forbes |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, North Dakota

An unlikely group of "Badass Grandmas" came together in North Dakota to fight corruption in state government. Coming from both Democratic and Republican backgrounds, the group formed organically during an early morning discussion. Inspired by their neighbors in South Dakota, the group successfully passed a constitutional amendment approved by voters to overhaul government ethics oversight.

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By the people: How Ohio citizens better their communities through direct action

Jim DeBrosse

August 27, 2019 |

Soapbox Cincinnati |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Ohio

Grassroots movements made up of ordinary citizens can go a long way in creating change. This article details several initiatives across Ohio that were led by citizens using a combination of lobbying, education, persistence, knowledge of government practices, and organization. Some things that were achieved using these methods are wage reimbursements and increased bus access.

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