John,
Just a few weeks ago, leadership in the Tennessee Legislature launched a ripple of antidemocratic activity witnessed across the country. A conservative supermajority expelled two young, Black legislators from their elected seats and presumed to silence them for standing with their constituents against gun violence. The behavior of Tennessee House leaders was egregious, but only one flashpoint in intensified efforts in several states to leverage political power to suppress the voices of Black, brown, and other marginalized communities. In many places, like Tennessee, this includes young people.
Over the last month in Mississippi, state leaders have refused to seat an educational leader committed equity, withheld resources from struggling communities, and moved to take over the justice system in Jackson.
Tomorrow, CDF leaders and our Board of Directors will return to our roots in the state to learn from elected officials and organizers about efforts to run this antidemocratic playbook and explore its impact on children and youth. More importantly, we will discuss how we can fight back to build a more inclusive and participatory democracy for a rising generation.
Tune in to Facebook Live tomorrow, April 27, at 12:45 p.m ET (11:45 a.m. CT) for our Child Watch panel, featuring:
- The Honorable Robert L. Johnson III, Mississippi House of Representatives Democratic Caucus Leader
- Brandon Jones, Director of Political Campaigns, the Southern Poverty Law Center
- Paheadra Robinson, CDF Southern Regional Office Senior Policy Consultant, The Bratton Group
- Maisie Brown, Advocacy Coordinator, ACLU of Mississippi; Unita Blackwell Young Women's Leadership Institute Graduate; 2023 Truman Scholar
- Oleta Garrett Fitzgerald (moderator), Southern Regional Office Director, Children's Defense Fund
Join us as we fight for a Mississippi and a nation where marginalized children flourish, leaders prioritize their well-being, and communities wield the power to ensure they thrive.
