Monday, February 24, Criminal Justice Reform with Dan Feltes and Jeanne Hruska.

The second evening of a two-part series on criminal justice reform did not disappoint.

Jeanne Hruska’s (political director of ACLU-NH) opening remarks set the stage for what was an informative,  data-based presentation of the criminal justice system:

• Mass incarceration is a uniquely American disease;
• The United States has 5% of the world’s population, we have 25% of the world’s incarcerate population;
• If mass incarceration was so effective, if it was such a wonderful social policy, don’t you think other countries would do it?;
• Mass incarceration does’t solve crime, it doesn’t solve mental illness, it doesn’t solve homelessness;
• Mass incarceration is not a criminal issue, it is a political one.

If you can, please take the time to listen to the program, you won’t regret doing it.

Jeanne Hruska, from the ACLU, has a firm understanding of where New Hampshire stands on this issue and shares what she knows in an articulate and compelling way. Surprisingly, there are plenty of bright spots and areas of clear progress and many reasons to educate ourselves on this critical subject.

Criminal Justice Reform Program:
Part 1: https://youtu.be/7-7FVM_cblk
Part 2: https://youtu.be/dT4nRo0cPvM
Part 3: https://youtu.be/PEr4lT_5wRs

We must be doing something right—being rational?—because according to the Secretary of State we are now officially living in a blue state! There are now more democrats registered than republicans! This is a huge accomplishment—congratulations and welcome to the Democratic Party!

Keep writing those postcards and watch those videos!

Join PostcardsToVoters and help win back critical seats!

It’s the last week in February . . . which means our program is coming this Monday–the 24th. The subject is our second part in a two-part series on Criminal Justice Reform and we are excited that Jeanne Hruska, political director of the ACLU-NH is joining us along with Dan Feltes who will lead a panel discussion about what New Hampshire is and is not doing to reform our criminal justice system. Remember, this is a potluck so bring a yummy dish (it is literally potluck–no assignments this time) and also ALERT! the program will be at the Black Recreation Center across from the Co-op in Hanover.

We were somewhat confused about the Nevada hybrid primary/caucus in our last email, but thankfully NPR (link below) did a program on it yesterday, and lays it all out.  It’s worth a listen. The NPR Politics Podcast Weekly Roundup: Friday, February 21

The NHDP is having a platform reveal in Grafton County at the Plymouth Area Senior Center. It’s only a 45-minute drive to show up, make sure all our concerns are on the table/platform, and to see the wonderful, renovated depot that is the PASC.

Also exciting is the March 28th Step Forward program. It is a workshop for women, young and not so young, to explore how to go about running for office. We desperately need a strong base of Democrat women to step up and run for the legislature!

That’s it for now. We hope to see you Monday at the UVDems program, potluck or not!
Click here to read the details of the email 

Calendar items:

• Is the Nevada caucus a caucus or primary?
• Results from the Statehouse;
• February 23rd 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
  Lunchtime Climate Talk (“It’s About Time”)
• February 24, Criminal Justice Reform: What’s Next in New Hampshire?;
• March 21, The NHDP Platform Committee;
• March 28, Step Forward.