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This 24-year-old lawsuit could radically alter public education in North Carolina

Michael Cooper

October 15, 2018 |

Scalawag |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, North Carolina

Twenty years ago, five, poor, rural counties sued the state of North Carolina for failing to provide students with a good education, and won. In 1997 the Chief Justice Supreme Court judge ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in the case known as Leandro v. State. However, the decision wasn’t really enforced by the government, and until 2017 a court appointed agency was hired to investigate the state. “Leandro sets the bar but you still need to have elected officials, school officials and court officials willing to uphold it,”

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The Love Story that Upended the Texas Prison System

Ethan Watters

October 11, 2018 |

Texas Monthly |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Texas

An unlikely relationship between Frances Jalet, an attorney, and Fred Cruz, an inmate, led to some of the most historic rulings against the Texas Department of Corrections. Jalet became a plaintiff in one of the suits, and alongside two dozen other inmates, called the Eight Hoe squad, they drafted a lawsuit. Despite targeted attacks against Jalet and the inmates by prison leadership, they won in the courts. In 1980, a federal judge declared that the Texas Department of Corrections was operating unconstitutionally.

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Bringing Arts and Culture into the Work of Public Safety and Criminal Justice

Emily Nonko

October 10, 2018 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A collaboration between artists, lawyers, and community members has resulted in expungement clinics that clean or clear criminal records in a manner that is legally binding and emotionally therapeutic. Clinic attendees are invited to literally shred their records and are then presented with a blank piece of paper made by co-op members—many formerly incarcerated people themselves—representing a new start.

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This new coalition protects protesters' right to civil disobedience

Ben Paynter

September 19, 2018 |

FastCompany |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States

Protect the Protest is an initiative created by more than 20 of the world’s largest nonprofits to address SLAPP lawsuits. SLAPPs often target nonprofits and activists in order to derail them from protesting. “The goals are to communicate about common types of SLAPP suits and how to avoid or dismiss them, campaign together when such salvos are lobbed against both Protect the Protect members and smaller pods of activists or organizers that might not have the resources to defend themselves.”

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Putting Women Already in Jail First

Nissa Rhee

September 16, 2018 |

70 Million |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Tulsa, Oklahoma

In North Tulsa, Still She Rises provides free legal help to mothers charged with crimes. But the services extend beyond that. Every client gets not just a lawyer, but also a client advocate to arrange a "holistic defense," helping the whole person with all of her challenges. Since its launch in January 2017, the group has defended 430 mothers. While not all cases end favorably, and while the group's broader social-change agenda remains a work in progress, clients get quality representation, which often saves families from the fallout from jail in a state with high female incarceration rates.

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Rethinking Criminal Justice for Women of Color

Emma Maliborski

September 03, 2018 |

The Innovator |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Project SAFE, based in New York, is providing justice-oriented programs and courts around the country with a lesson in intersectionality. Citing the unique realities that Black women face, the project partners with others on multiple initiatives, including: trauma-based training, policy research, podcasts, and overall knowledge dissemination. Across all initiatives is the underlying goal of bringing more understanding and knowledge to those who play a direct role in the incarceration of Black women.

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Restoring Ex-Convicts' Voting Rights

Nina Sparling

August 29, 2018 |

WhoWhatWhy |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

A digital tool called Restore Your Vote launched in the summer of 2018 to help ex-convicts understand their voting restoration status after re-integrating into society. The initiative, which has been piloted in Alabama, aims to reduce disenfranchisement in ex-convict communities by targeting unclear language, misinformation, and lack of access to education.

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Rohingya turn to blockchain to solve identity crisis

Skot Thayer Alex Hern

August 20, 2018 |

The Guardian |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Malaysia

Blockchain can be used to create digital identities for people who have lost legal documents or been denied citizenship. The technology is helping Rohingya in Malaysia, Bangladesh, and Saudi Arabia gain access to banking and educational opportunities.

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These Tenants Are Leading the Largest Rent Strike in LA History

Armando Aparicio David Zlutnick

August 20, 2018 |

The Nation (New York) |

Multi-Media |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

Faced with rising rent costs, despite shoddy living conditions, tenants decided to join a rent strike, and take their case to the courts. So far the tenants have won three cases, and lost three. But, together they form the largest rent strike in the history of Los Angeles.

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New York is giving free legal advice to thousands of undocumented migrants

Fergus Peace

August 09, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

In New York City, a citywide initiative known as Action NYC is connecting immigrants with free legal help and other comprehensive services. While the city provides outreach and coordination, community organizations with more specific language and cultural skills deliver the actual services, helping to engage people who sometimes may be inclined to distrust government services.

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