Commentary

  • 07.27.20

    An Open Letter to Judges in Cuyahoga County

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      An Open Letter to Judges in Cuyahoga County, Ohio is bearing the weight of a crisis right now: not just the crisis of COVID-19, but the crisis of cash bail. Through a system that prizes money over justice many residents of Cuyahoga County are faced with a crippling alternative when they are detained: either… more »

  • 07.26.20

    More Ohio counties should immediately expand their ‘cite and release’ policing policies

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    This originally appeared on Cleveland.com on Jul 26, 2020. CLEVELAND — Our country is at a crossroads, forced to recognize that the police charged with keeping us safe often act as state-sanctioned vehicles of violence disproportionately perpetrated against communities of color. Our taxes pay for the weapons they use against us. Cleveland’s own use of… more »

  • 07.20.20

    Sub. House Bill 680 – Opponent Testimony

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      Below is our Chief Lobbyist Gary Daniels’ opponent testimony on Sub House Bill 680. This was delivered to the Senate Government Oversight & Reform Committee on July 21, 2020. To Chairman Coley, Vice Chair Huffman, Ranking Member Craig, and members of the Senate Government Oversight & Reform Committee, thank you for this opportunity to… more »

  • 06.25.20

    The First Pride Was a Riot

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      The police murder of unarmed African American George Floyd at the hands of white former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin ignited literal firestorms of protests, rallies, and marches demanding an immediate and abrupt course correction of how Black bodies are treated by far too many white folks in possession of badges, guns, and government… more »

  • 06.25.20

    Police Departments Aren’t the Only Criminal Legal Institution Stealing Black Lives

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    Around the world, people are taking to the streets to call out the state-sanctioned violence against people of color that has been normalized and protected in this country since its inception. While police continue to respond to protests against police violence with police violence, other parts of our criminal legal system continue to steal the… more »

  • 06.16.20

    My COVID-19 Experience on the Inside of Marion Correctional Institution

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      It was never a matter of if COVID-19 would infiltrate Marion Correctional Institute, but when. While the state and outside world braced itself for the coronavirus, this administration chose not to take the proper steps early on that would have ensured the safety of its prison population and staff. Governor DeWine enacted what he… more »

  • 06.10.20

    House Bill 381 – Opponent Testimony

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    Below is our Chief Lobbyist Gary Daniels’ opponent testimony on House Bill 381. This was delivered to the House Criminal Justice Committee on June 9, 2020. To Chairman Lang, Vice Chair Plummer, Ranking Member Leland, and members of the House Criminal Justice Committee, thank you for this opportunity to present opponent testimony on House Bill… more »

  • 06.09.20

    There’s No Time Like Pride Month for Ohio Legislators to Advance the Ohio Fairness Act

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        As we celebrate Pride month, we also must call attention to the fact that in most parts of Ohio, it’s still legal to discriminate against the LGBTQ community. Ohio remains one of 29 states that leaves LGBTQ people out of laws that provide basic protections. That means that LGBTQ Ohioans can be fired… more »

  • 06.08.20

    House Bill 164 – Opponent Testimony

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    Below is our Chief Lobbyist Gary Daniels’ opponent testimony on House Bill 164. This was delivered to the Senate Education Committee on June 9, 2020. To Chairwoman Lehner, Vice Chair Brenner, Ranking Member Fedor, and members of the Senate Education Committee, thank you for this opportunity to present opponent testimony on House Bill 164. House… more »

  • 06.08.20

    Senate Concurrent Resolution 14 – Proponent Testimony

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    Below is our Chief Lobbyist Gary Daniels’ proponent testimony on Senate Concurrent Resolution 14. This was delivered to the Senate Health, Human Services, & Medicaid Committee on June 9, 2020. To Chairman Burke, Vice Chair Huffman, Ranking Member Antonio, and members of the Senate Health, Human Services & Medicaid Committee, thank you for this opportunity… more »