Justice for Atatiana Jefferson, Indigineous People's Day, prison reform, attacks on our democracy, and more!

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** Demand Justice for Atatiana Jefferson
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Atatiana Jefferson was killed by Fort Worth Police Officer Aaron Dean in her own home. The shooting marks the seventh time a Fort Worth officer has killed or wounded someone since June, and a horrible reminder of the epidemic of police brutality against Black Americans. Read on for ways to demand action and share with us any ways you are fighting police brutality. Support the work of TX Rep. Nicole Collier of Fort Worth ([link removed]) and the Texas Black Caucus who are calling for police reform ([link removed]) in Texas. Join Color of Change in demanding ([link removed]) an independent criminal investigation, the appointment of a special prosecutor, and a federal civil rights probe into the Fort Worth Police Department. Join or donate to groups doing the work in Texas
([link removed]) like Mothers Against Police Brutality. See other resources on preventing police violence here ([link removed]) and please reach out if you’d like to be connected with other resources and partners working on this.


** Legislators: Add Your Name to Condemn Sexual Harassment in McDonald's Stores
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Legislators, sign on to this letter ([link removed]) calling on McDonald’s to take concrete action to stop sexual harassment in their stores. Workers have filed over 20 new sexual harassment complaints ([link removed]) against McDonald’s employees, covering a wide range ([link removed]) of behavior. These are part of a larger trend ([link removed]) over the last three years in which McDonald’s workers have filed sexual harassment complaints with the EEOC, staged protests and strikes, and published open letters to management. Add your name ([link removed])
to the letter calling on McDonald’s to take concrete action to stop sexual harassment against their workers.


** The Modern-Day Legacy of Christopher Columbus
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While state legislatures continue the battle ([link removed]) over abolishing “Columbus Day” in favor of celebrating Indigenous People’s Day ([link removed]) , it’s important to also acknowledge how our current system disenfranchises indigenous voters. Whether through address requirements ([link removed]) , lack of polls and restrictive election laws ([link removed]) , or poverty and isolation ([link removed]) , Native Americans face
significant and intentional voting barriers, but legislatures including Nevada and Washington have been working to remove those barriers.


** Prison Reforms in State Legislatures
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Efforts to reform the criminal justice system are underway across the country. California has banned ([link removed]) all private prisons and immigration detention centers in the state beginning in January anddecreased their overall prison population ([link removed]) through reforms. Meanwhile, New York City officials announced the expected closure of Rikers ([link removed]) and the creation of an entirely new jail system, a solution that many argue misses the entire point ([link removed]) of criminal justice reform. And in Florida, Democrats are calling for consideration of “gain-time” bills that couldshorten time-served requirements
([link removed]) for certain offenses.


** Insight into Coordinated Attacks on Democracy
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Several recently leaked audio recordings from a Texas ALEC panel reveal blatant disregard for our democracy, which progressives must fight against. In the recordings, state legislators spoke openly about taking away power from local officials, while others were taught to treat redistricting as “political adult blood sport ([link removed]) .” To put these threats in perspective, a report ([link removed]) released from the Brennan Center this month notes the hundreds of voting restrictions put forward in state legislatures since 2010.


** States Investing in Sustainable Farming
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As the federal government continues to restrict funding for conservation practices, states are stepping up to fill the gap and support sustainable farming practices ([link removed]) . A new report ([link removed]) produced in part by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture looks at the ways states are supporting programs that use creative pathways to fund and enlist farmers in agricultural conservation.


** Time to Repeal the Hyde Amendment
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43 years after its passage, the Hyde Amendment continues to be used to systemically deny access to abortion care ([link removed]) . Since 1976, the Hyde Amendment has been attached to the federal budget and has had a disproportionate impact on native ([link removed]) , rural, and low-income communities. Today, opposition ([link removed]) to such bans on insurance coverage of abortions polls higher than ever in the U.S. It's time for the Hyde Amendment to be abolished ([link removed]) - and this issue is one that legislators at all levels must tackle head on. RFLC members Representative Sheryl Cole of Texas, Mayor Pro Tem Delia Garza of Austin,
Representative Joyce “Jay” McCreight of Maine, and Council member Carlina Rivera of New York explain why repealing Hyde is not just an issue for DC ([link removed]) .

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The State Innovation Exchange (SiX) is a national resource and strategy center that supports state legislators who seek to strengthen our democracy, fight for working families, defend civil rights and liberties, and protect the environment. We do this by providing training, emphasizing leadership development, amplifying legislators’ voices, and forging strategic alliances between our legislative network and grassroots movements.

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