Portside

‘For many, it’s the first time in their life that they can see people within the system trying to help them, trying to reduce barriers to their success,’ says one attorney

A cell phone video of Eric Garner being choked to death by NYPD police, seen by millions, helped ignite calls for sweeping changes in policing. Garner's mother, Gwen Carr, is trying to sustain the national momentum for police reform.

Two bills, currently under consideration in Tennessee, could change sentencing rules that keep many inside prisons for too long.

These inspiring developments serve as powerful reminders that by working together in pursuit of progress, we can manifest meaningful criminal legal reform that makes our country more humane, more just, and more democratic.

"National Democrats cannot only be supportive of D.C. statehood and D.C. autonomy when it is politically convenient for them. D.C. laws should be made by D.C. elected leaders."

Congressional interference in local affairs is not about an earnest desire to improve public safety or democracy in D.C. It’s political theater: hyperpartisan combatants in our divisive, national discourse seeking to score points for their next hometown election cycle.

This legislative assault on Philadelphia DA Krasner is part of a pattern by conservatives nationwide to stymie and/or remove the new generation of prosecutors dedicated to reforming the criminal justice system, a system historically steeped in race and class biases.

Abolitionists and advocates of criminal justice reform in Los Angeles County have amassed some impressive victories, laying out a vision for reducing incarceration and providing care that could have national significance.

Low turnout, a deeply warped media narrative, and right-wing billionaire money framed a very conservative outcome. That's the real story.