Month: December 2024

  • A Short History of Structural Racism Series

    A Short History of Structural Racism Series

    Registration Required: givebutter.com/StructuralRacismSeries2025

    Join us for this series led by Ayo Magwood, an educational consultant specializing in ideologically-neutral, evidence-based, and solution-oriented education on historical and structural racism, Asian and Latinx racialization, and interracial conflict and cooperation. Join the sessions you are able to attend through the one registration:

    1. The Origins of Race and Racism (Colonial Era)
    2. Structural Racism: Historical Roots and Contemporary Expressions
    3. Remediating Structural Racism
    4. Reflection and ICPJ action-planning conversation

    We will meet via Zoom, March 10th, 17, 24th, 31st, from 5:30-7:30 pm.

  • A Deep Dive into the Sheriff’s Budget: Civic Education and Strategy Session

    A Deep Dive into the Sheriff’s Budget: Civic Education and Strategy Session

    ICPJ recruited a Michigan Justice Fellow with grant support from the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan. {Rescheduled Date!} On Monday, February 24th from 6-8 pm at 16 S. Washington in Ypsilanti, Corn Williams and Kat Layton will share information about what they learned while going through over 300 pages of information. This will include time focused on what was found in the Sheriff’s budget as well as to strategize about ways to use participatory budgeting to give the community a true voice.

    Registration requested so we can confirm numbers for our catering order (givebutter.com/SheriffBudgetDeepDive).

  • Join a Circle!

    Join a Circle!

    We are excited to share our plans as we shift into a new structure and culture of collaboration. ICPJ is really a network and we are making our internal and external work align with that vision. One part of that is that launching of our “circles.” These formations are where the programming and collaborative work of the network will happen.

    On Monday, January 13 from 5:30-7 we will host a Circles (Virtual) Launch Party! You will get to hear about the new structure, learn how to get involved (because we need you!), and connect with others who care about similar issues. Go to givebutter.com/JoinACircle to RSVP and get the zoom link.

    Check out the first group of circles that are launching and choose the one(s) that fit you best!

  • Advocate for Krystal’s Life!

    Krystal’s plea to us all is clear: “Help me save my life. Fight with me. Fight to win.”
    Support Krystal. Help bring her story to the world.

    Krystal Clark, incarcerated at Michigan’s Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility (WHV), which she calls “the Valley of Death” is suffering life-threatening medical neglect. WHF is denying her medical care. Dr. Robert Lacy saw her and confirmed the urgent need for intervention.

    We are asking you to do three things:

    1. Read this email, consider forwarding it to others.
    2. Send a letter or postcard to Keith Barber, Michigan Prison Ombudsman and Gov. Whitmer demanding they immediately release Krystal and investigate the conditions at Women’s Huron Valley (Order postcards here).
    3. Help amplify this story via your personal networks, social media, and throughout your community.

    Krystal is in critical need of our help. For the last 13 years, she has been slowly tortured by the conditions inside the prison. Exposure to mold, lack of basic health care, and retaliation from guards and some inmates for speaking out have caused Krystal’s health to deteriorate so dramatically that her face has suffered paralysis, and she relies on a walker for mobility. When she entered Women’s Huron Valley in 2011, she was a healthy woman and now, a doctor outside of the prison has assured her she won’t survive if she stays at Huron Valley.   Krystal does NOT have a life sentence, but the mold in the facility is KILLING her.

    For months, Krystal has experienced persistent ear infections due to mold exposure — on top of her heart condition & chronic asthma. She finally saw an outside doctor, Dr. Robert Lacy, on September 28. He confirmed her condition, prescribing an 84-day antifungal treatment and eardrops—validating the urgency Krystal had been reporting all along. Krystal’s and Dr. Lacy’s request for access to basic care have been met with continuing retaliation.

    “I’ve been begging for help… to treat it… not let it get this bad in my skin and in my body. They knew what they was doing.” “They are crazy from doing me like this and letting me sit here suffering like this when they know it’s killing me and they know they got medical records proving it.”

    WHV has restricted her medications ignoring doctor’s orders.

    In addition, WHV has restricted her communication with the outside world, suspending JPay access and withholding her mail. “They shut our JPay down… only in this unit… so we won’t get no messages through. This is further isolating Krystal and blocking her from the support she needs. Please Listen to this recording! This is torturous and slow MURDER that we need to stop! https://www.youtube.com/live/N8GiZ-ASbfE?si=A8TuTp0r9rQJy1cr#KrstalClark#ToxicMoldinPrison#HuronValley

  • Support Drive SAFE in Lame Duck

    As Michigan’s legislative session enters its final weeks, we need to push elected officials to act with courage and urgency. In order to do that, we need all of us.

    Please help pressure our elected officials to move the Drive SAFE bills (HB 4410, 4411, 4412 and SB 265, 266, 267) for a vote during the lame duck session. These bills would go a long way to protect Michigan families from deportation.

    Take 60 seconds and use this link to send an email to Governor Whitmer, Speaker Joe Tate, & Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks to demand they deliver for regular people while they can: https://bit.ly/delivermi (This letter asked them to support Drive SAFE legislation and other bills for Michigan families.)

    This legislation will help Michigan families live with dignity and participate in everyday activities without fear. A driver’s license allows parents to take their children to school, attend medical appointments, and run essential errands—activities fundamental to any family’s well-being. It will also foster trust between law enforcement and communities, ensuring all residents feel safe seeking help when needed.

    REGISTER HERE to join us for a Rally in Lansing to Support Drive SAFE bills on December 10th!

    Take a moment today to contact your legislator. Feel free to edit and personalize your message. 

    Governor Gretchen Whitmer – 517-335-7858
    Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks – 517-373-1801
    House Speaker Joe Tate – 517- 373-0857

    Drive SAFE Email/Phone Script 
    Hello, my name is (blank) and I live in (blank) and I am asking that you move the driver’s license Drive SAFE bills (HB 4410, 4411, 4412 and SB 265, 266, 267) for a vote during the lame duck session. These bills would go a long way to protect Michigan families from deportation during the upcoming Trump administration. Thank you.