Manassas, Virginia—Prince William County Police Chief Peter Newsham announced that that police in Prince William County disproportionately use force against Black members of the community, according to new data. Forty-Nine% of the people arrested with force in the county were Black, but Black people only make up 22% of the population. “We all deserve to […]
criminal justice reform
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Another Mother’s Day For Justice
A couple of weeks ago, I was in the pediatric emergency room with my 14-month-old son after he busted his lip open while bumbling about. Believe me, hanging out in an ER with a young child is one of the worst ways to spend your time. While we waited for what felt like an eternity […]
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Qualified Immunity is Killing the Black Community
It’s been a year, and I still can’t sleep. If you think I’m talking about the pandemic, you’re mistaken. It’s been a year since a girl like me was resting in her bed and never got the chance to meet the dawn of the new day. She never got the chance to call her mom […]
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Raise a Glass to Progress!
2021 General Assembly Session Round-Up Part 1 via GIPHY Another monumental legislative session has wrapped up where the progressive majority in the Virginia legislature continues to flex by showing the rest of the South that it too can leave Jim Crow behind. Our lawmakers just keep on pushing! As the 2021 General Assembly is wrapping […]
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Ending Qualified Immunity in Virginia is Not Just a Matter of Right and Wrong: It’s a Matter of Life and Death
In response to the police murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor this past summer, there were almost nightly non-violent protests in Richmond. Richmond Police repeatedly retaliated against protestors and journalists. Thanks to the qualified immunity doctrine, those police officers could escape consequences for their violence and brutality towards Richmond residents. We must end […]
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So, You Want To Know About the 2020 Special Session?
You’ve probably heard by now that the General Assembly convened on August 18 for a special session to address the impact of COVID-19 on the state budget and police reform. But you might be wondering what it’s going to look like, what we’re looking for, and, most importantly, how to make sure your voice is […]
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On Crime, Ed Gillespie Is Fundamentally Unserious
By now, we’ve all seen or heard about Ed Gillespie’s campaign ads trying to turn crime into the central issue of this campaign for governor. Gillespie wants you to know that he’ll keep you safe from those scary MS-13 gangs and returning citizens who have had their voting rights restored. From Gillespie’s viewpoint, Virginia is […]