News & Commentary

Ending police violence requires all Connecticut residents to demand better from our governments locally, statewide, and federally. And it requires all of our government actors, from mayors and town councilmembers to state legislators and members of Congress, to take action now.

Every arm of the government has a role to play in ending police violence. Until our state and local governments stop abdicating their responsibilities and start ensuring democratic control over police, we will see police violence in Connecticut again.

Connecticut voters have spoken, and they want transparency about what prosecutors do. A new statewide public opinion poll of Connecticut voters shows strong support across the political spectrum for legislation to increase transparency about prosecutors’ actions. 

Transparency is critical for our democracy, and no part of the government should be exempt from sunlight. If our state is going to create a smarter justice system, all of us need numbers on what prosecutors are doing.

This year, I moved from one city in Connecticut to a new one. On top of the usual stress of trying to find an affordable, comfortable place to live, I was burdened with extra anxiety.

Democracy depends in part on the government being transparent, especially about life and death issues. But right now, there isn’t much transparency when police kill, hurt, or chase someone. Right now, Connecticut lawmakers are considered a bill that could help to change that.

I’ve often heard people say “don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time.” What people fail to realize is that “the time” never really ends.

As a justice-impacted person, I know Connecticut needs fair housing practices that allow people living with a criminal record to have a fair chance at finding a place to live. As a former landlord, I also know that someone’s record doesn’t tell you whether they will be a safe, responsible tenant.

The Connecticut General Assembly’s 2019 legislative session began on January 9, and the ACLU of Connecticut is pushing for the legislature to pass bills to advance smarter justice policies, immigrants’ rights, police transparency, and more. Here are just some of the issues we’ll be working on.