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We Must Make Them HEAR Us
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On February 10th, 2022, the Jail Reform Advisory Council will hold a public hearing on jails in Michigan. They are allowing people to offer public comments on issues that concern jails. We urge all VAAC members as well as the general public to take this moment to inundate the council with comments about jail voting…
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ALL HANDS ON DECK
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Strong Turnout At Emergency Action To Shine A Light On The Poor Conditions Inside The Women’s Huron Valley Prison By Angela Davenport and Carrie Hatcher-Kay In remembrance of Dr King’s legacy and in honor of his fight for justice, on #MLK weekend, Sunday, January 16th, several hundred organizers, activists, friends & family, justice-impacted and formerly incarcerated members of the community and…
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Rally for Resentencing of Juvenile Lifers
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January 25th is the date that the United States Supreme Court decided that states must retroactively apply the ban on mandatory life without parole sentences for juveniles. Yet many who qualify are still waiting for their resentencing hearings. This year, on the anniversary of this decision, there will be are rally and dinner to bring…
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Opinion: It’s time to end ‘prison gerrymandering’ in Michigan
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In Bridge Magazine, Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans writes about how incarcerated people, many of them Black and Brown, are being disenfranchised by the state’s redistricting commission. Click below to read the article.
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Northwest Michigan Expungement Events Announced
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In April 2021, Michigan enacted Clean Slate legislation to help those with criminal records seek expungement through the legal system. As these laws take effect, Michigan Indian Legal Services (MILS) is hosting a series of events to assist northwest Michiganders in the expungement process. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED: bit.ly/MILSExpungement. Do you live in northwest MI and have…
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What Does Expungement Mean?
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Did you know job applicants with a criminal record are nearly half as likely as those without to get a callback or job offer?! Getting a conviction “expunged” means that it is removed from your public criminal record. If you get a conviction expunged, you can legally state on any applications for school, employment, public…
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Protest Conditions at Women’s Huron Valley
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Conditions at Michigan’s only prison for women have been problematic for years, before COVID. Overcrowding, lack of access to mental health and adequate medical services, lack of programming, major staffing shortages which lead to fatigue and outright abuse, antiquated buildings, sewage & heating and cooling systems, and more have plagued Women’s Huron Valley. COVID-19 has…
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Spread the Vote Information Session to Interview VAAC member, Percy Glover.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2022 AT 2 PM Vote by Mail in Jail: Highlighting High Impact Partners To view a recording of this event use the link here .
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VAAC Activism Impacts New District Maps
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This article was submitted by VAAC member Nomi Joyrich of the Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice who worked tirelessly to ensure fair maps. From Nomi “I want to thank everyone who made a public comment, testified or sent an email to the MICRC. Every commissioner stated that input from citizens via testimony and public comment…
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Three Marches, Two Sisters, One Bridge
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This event already happened. Watch the video here: Join the League of Women Voters Detroit and the Detroit Public library for a special on-line event on Tuesday, February 8th, 2022 from 6-7:30 p.m. About this event Giants walk among us still. The personal story of two sisters who took part in three marches for voting…
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Pro-Voter Bills Introduced in Michigan House
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Progress Michigan Applauds Introduction of Pro-Voter Bills MICHIGAN – November 3, 2021, Michigan House Democrats introduced a pro-voter bill package that would protect voters’ voices and modernize our elections. Voting rights advocates are applauding these bills as a step in the right direction to expand access to the ballot. Lonnie Scott, executive director of Progress Michigan, released the…
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Help Us Make #goodtrouble at MICRC on Friday 10/29/21
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Over the past few months many VAAC members have attended MICRC meetings in person and remotely, and submitted many, many written comments. Thank you for the #good trouble you made! During this final week of public testimony, a dozen+ VAAC members spoke out on behalf of VAAC and coalition partners about the unjust practice of prison…
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