2017 October

10.23.17

State Issue 1 – Frequently Asked Questions

Taylor Frank

What is State Issue 1?

Also known as Marsy’s Law or the Ohio Crime Victim Bill of Rights (OCVBR), it would amend Article I, Section 10a of the Ohio Constitution to establish enforceable victim rights within the Ohio Constitution. Voters will decide this issue at the November 7, 2017 election.

10.19.17

Rethinking the Concept of “Failure to Appear”

Caitlin Hill

Historically, a judge set bail based on a single consideration: whether a person would reappear in court to answer for the alleged crime. It wasn’t until later in the 20^th century that nationwide reforms allowed judges to consider public safety as a reason to deny bail.

10.19.17

The Right to Asylum: Detention and Legal Counsel

Lukasz Niparko

When we think about the detention, what first comes to mind is that it is a form of punishment. Punishment for a misdemeanor, felony, or for any ‘wrongdoing’ that requires isolation from the society or serves as a lesson – that through incarceration the individual is supposed to rehabilitate, and refrain from committing a violation of the law again.

10.18.17

A Guide to End Affirmative Action

Julie Vainqueur

President Trump’s and Attorney General Sessions’ agenda for the nation is often difficult to understand. That was especially true recently when there were rumors that the Department of Justice may be intervening in an issue at Harvard University where Asian Americans have alleged they are discriminated against by the school’s affirmative action policy.

10.13.17

Ohio: Misusing the Inducing Panic Law One Overdose At A Time

Emily Anstaett

Cities across the state are using an old philosophy to address the current opioid crisis: charge drug addicts with a crime. Specifically in Ohio, cities are charging overdose victims with inducing panic, which includes a first degree misdemeanor, up to 180 days in jail and a $1000 fine.

10.05.17

Ten Things You Need to Know about Jamil Smith

Ifeolu Claytor

10.03.17

International Reactions to Ava DuVernay’s Documentary, 13th

Lukasz Niparko and Julie Vainqueur

Our two international interns from Humanity In Action, Julie Vainqueur and Lukasz Niparko, articulate their responses to Ava DuVernay’s powerful documentary, 13^th.

Julie Vainqueur, writing from a French, Afrocaribbean perspective.

I want to communicate about issues that matter, to listen to the unheard, amplify their voices, and to educate others about the social injustices of the world.

10.02.17

The Right to Asylum: Migration Law

Lukasz Niparko

Favianna Rodriguez in her outstanding artwork titled, “Migration is Beautiful” draws butterflies to represent the migration of people across the world. Butterflies, unlike people, can fly over the border, over the border guards, over the fences, and even over Donald Trump’s proposed border wall.