YOUR FUTURE NEEDS YOUR VOTE

Jaws of Justice Radio investigates how we can achieve justice from a system of laws deeply rooted in economic, social and political inequality.  We hope you will listen.

On April 22nd, first, we will hear from our hosts Macy Jones and Terri Wilke speak with their guests Esmie Tseng, Communications Director, and Leslie Butsch, Field Director, both of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Kansas on the topic of the right to vote.

https://www.aclukansas.org/en

Esmie carries out the organization’s integrated advocacy approach, ensuring that all communications work is in close collaboration with the other departments of the ACLU of Kansas while also approaching communications as an independent tool of advocacy. Before joining the ACLU, Esmie managed communications, events, and administration at Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty (MADP). From personal experience with the criminal legal system, she seeks to be part of solutions for people impacted by the intersection of systemic racism, poverty, mass incarceration, and political disempowerment.   Leslie started as the ACLU of Kansas Field Director in June of 2022. At the beginning of her career, Leslie was a social worker, advocating alongside families navigating the child welfare system, food insecurity, domestic violence, and homelessness. Leslie saw the harm and was agitated to become an organizer to change those systems.

They will talk about voting rights.  It is important to know that persons with felony convictions can restore their right to vote.  Please tune in the hear the importance of this and learn about other voting issues in Kansas.

After the calendar, Macy Jones and Terri Wilke will continue our deep dive into the importance of voting and speak with Lindsie Ford, Public Defender with the Johnson County, Kansas Public Defender’s Office and Jackie Harzok, an Assistant Public Defender with the Kansas Public Defenders. They represent people charged with felony crimes who are unable to afford an attorney. Voting rights as they relate to felony convictions varies by state.  We will try to go into specifics about Kansas and Missouri.

On Jaws of Justice, we examine how to find justice in our society.  Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.

calendar for the week of April 22nd:

• Legal Aid of Western Missouri can provide free civil legal services to low-income and vulnerable people who live in Jackson CTY MO. Interested individuals can call 816-474-6750 to apply.
• For info about Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense meetings this week, you can go to https://momsdemandaction.org/events/. All are welcome, mothers and others.
• Please check the calendar at https://more2.org/ for events you can attend.
• WED, April 24, 6 PM, Kansas City Central Public Library, 14 W. 10^th, Kansas City, MO. Author Gregg Colburn discusses his book, Homelessness is a Housing Problem: How Structural Factors Explain U.S. Patterns. The answers will alter assumptions, like that the poorest cities have the highest rate of homelessness – they do not.
• THURS, April 25, 5:00 – 6:00 PM, Empower Missouri invites you to the Community Justice Coalition meeting, a multi-sector team of dedicated advocates who envision a future without mass incarceration. More information at https://empowermissouri.org/
• SAT, April 27^th, 9 AM – NOON, You can join KC Mothers in Charge for their 6th Annual Pee Wee’s Walk! TUES, April 23^rd is the last day to register.  The walk will be held at Spirit of Freedom Fountain, 3708 Emmanuel Cleaver Blvd, Kansas City, MO.  This is a kick off for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

Please take care of yourselves and others. Thanks for listening to Jaws of Justice.

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