Public Defense Day commemorates the Supreme Court’s 1963 ruling that states must provide free legal counsel for people living in poverty. The case, Gideon v. Wainwright, was spurred by Clarence Earl Gideon who was charged with a felony in Florida state court and denied a court-appointed lawyer. The Supreme Court’s decision extended the right to counsel to state courts across the country. Discuss the importance of public defense by referring to the values of voice and equity.
Tag: criminal justice
Rodney King
On this day in 1991, officers with the Los Angeles Police Department were captured on camera beating Rodney King during a traffic stop. This anniversary offers the opportunity to remind audiences of the long trajectory of police accountability movements. When commemorating this date, uplift the need to go beyond policing to prioritize solutions grounded in community safety that ends over-policing in communities affected by poverty. Cite the values of community, safety, and equity.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was created on this day in 2002. Despite the mountain of evidence documenting the agency’s disregard for human life and cruel practices, Congress and the White House continue funding an agency that has deported millions of people and separated thousands of families. Cite the values of safety, equity, and economic opportunity.
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day
In 2021, President Joe Biden signed a proclamation recognizing this date as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day. This observance follows years of Indigenous-led advocacy and organizing to shed light on the alarming rates of violence against Native American communities and the lack of justice for thousands of missing or murdered Indigenous people. Wear red on this day and uplift the values of safety and equity.
George Floyd
On Memorial Day in 2020, Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd. Chauvin’s actions, caught on video by a courageous teenage bystander, fueled nationwide mobilizing and organizing. Chauvin was found guilty on three charges of murder and manslaughter, a rare case of police accountability that lower-profile cases have seldom seen. Remember George Floyd and cite the values of safety and equity on this anniversary.
Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is an important time to discuss economic and racial justice for families. Past campaigns include creative interventions to share more inclusive “Mama’s Day” cards, release mothers from jail while advocating for an end to money bail, or oppose the separation and detention of families arriving at our borders. Celebrate the values of equity, economic opportunity, and community.
Rockefeller Drug Laws
On this day in 1973, Governor Nelson Rockefeller enacted the Rockefeller Drug Laws. These laws became the national policy model for the draconian war on drugs. As decriminalization and legalization conversations move forward, emphasize the importance of public health approaches to treating drug abuse and center economic justice for BIPOC communities by citing the values of equity, safety, and community.
Scottsboro Trial
On this day in 1931, the first Scottsboro Trial started. Despite the lack of evidence, nine African-American teenage boys were falsely accused and eight were convicted of rape by an all-white jury. Their case gained national attention and sparked outcry from civil rights groups who organized legal defense to clear their names. Use this anniversary to discuss the continued need for criminal justice reform. Cite the values of equity and voice.
Second Chance Month
April is Second Chance Month when the Prison Fellowship and its partners recognize the dignity of millions of people who, upon their release from incarceration, confront countless barriers due to their criminal records. Join the campaign and discuss the issue using the values of opportunity and community.
