On March 1st, Human Rights Watch, in partnership with #cut50, Healing Dialogue and Action, and hundreds of Ambassadors of Empathy all across the country took part in the national Day of Empathy, one of the single largest days of action in criminal justice history! Below is a message from Joy Alferness, Chair of the San Francisco Committee, on the work we accomplished during the Day of Empathy.
Dear San Francisco Committee,
It has been a little more than a week since I returned from attending the Day of Empathy in Sacramento, and I want to share some thoughts and reflections on this wonderful experience with you. The Day of Empathy was a day devoted to meeting with California legislators to voice support for three bills that promote criminal justice reform. It was put together by Cut50, Healing Dialogue and Action, and our very own Human Rights Watch.
While the primary purpose of our gathering was to march to the Capitol and lend our voices in support of criminal justice reform, I was fortunate enough to participate in a retreat the day before these legislator visits. This retreat brought together an incredible group of people, including former prisoners, families of prisoners, victims’ family members and former victims, as well as allies and advocates. I heard incredible stories of unimaginable pain but also witnessed the power of forgiveness and the real results of restorative justice programs.
These two days were led, in part, by our very own Elizabeth Calvin, who is a Children’s Rights researcher for HRW, and a personal hero of mine. She has devoted her career to ending unfair sentences for juveniles and has worked tirelessly and selflessly on these issues. It was beautiful to witness how everyone responded to her during the 48 hours that we were together. There are many, many people whose lives have been affected by mass incarceration who see Elizabeth, and HRW, as their champions. Elizabeth is not only an incredibly strong member of the HRW team, but she is a mighty advocate for the people whose rights she is fighting for every day.
On Wednesday, we all marched in solidarity to the California State Capitol. Approximately one hundred of us, in teams, visited 105 state legislators’ offices in less than a day to voice our support for SB 394 (ending life without parole sentences for juveniles -- a practice only allowed in the U.S.), SB 395 (which would ensure a responsible adult is available for counsel when someone under the age of 18 is being questioned by police), and AB 1384 (which would create program standards for trauma recovery centers that serve victims and their families). It was an immensely powerful day, and I was so proud of what we were able to do together.
You will find below some opportunities to use your voices in support of two of these bills: SB 394 and SB 395. Our advocacy is an important tool we can use to move the needle on these ongoing injustices faced by juveniles in our country’s prison system. I hope you will join me in amplifying the incredible work being done by Elizabeth and others.
I am filled with gratitude that these two days gave me the opportunity to gain a window into the human proof of HRW’s meaningful advocacy. There was more than one occasion over the course of my two days there that someone shared with me how the efforts of HRW had impacted their lives, personally.
More than anything, I felt enormous pride to be a part of the HRW Council, and I hope you all do as well. Your support has truly changed lives for the better, and I offer you all my deepest thanks for all that you do to further this important work.
Warmly,
Joy Alferness
Chair, San Francisco Committee
Human Rights Watch