32 women have filed lawsuits alleging they were sexually assaulted by medical staffers while detained at Rikers. Most said they were assaulted during exams, including the medical assessments that all detainees undergo when they arrive. By Samantha Max: gothamist.com/news/women-hel…

The *base budget* for the NYPD is $11 billion- not even including overtime & massive civil rights settlement payments.

But he can't afford $58.3 million to keep public libraries open.

Thats just .05% of the police budget. A budget is a statement of values. Eric Adams has

The story of bail reform isn't what you see in the news. It's been an extraordinary success. Yet reasoned data is no match for fear.

The real story of bail reform-ordinary stories of people going about their lives-don’t get covered. What if we could change this?

Terranisha was almost separated from her children to face the deadly violence & trauma of pretrial jail in Harris County, Tx (Houston).

Thanks to bail changes there, most people charged w/ misdemeanors are released. She was one of the lucky ones. “My kids need me.'

Bail reform isn’t anything like what you see in the news. It's not sensational. It’s waking up in your own bed. Putting on your shoes. Walking outside. Getting your kids to school. Searching for work. Kissing your spouse. These real stories must be told. GatheringForFreedom.org

“A budget is a statement of values.”

A short, hopeful story. Starts 2 years ago, with a single mother named Terranisha in a Houston courtroom. Free pretrial because of bail reform. Ends w/ a dinner at John Legend’s house w/ other people who experienced freedom.

But really it’s only the beginning. Watch & read on:

In a single interview John Legend explains why Donald Trump is a racist. Is actually *benefitting* from a 2-tiered justice system. And premiers a project to share stories from the 1000s who've benefitted from bail reform to win more freedom. Tour de force:

From death row in North Carolina, Lyle C. May recalls witnessing prison staff throw parties on the night of executions, complete with an 'enormous sheet cake covered in colorful swirls of frosting.' Read an excerpt from May's book, via Haymarket Books. theappeal.org/last-meals-lyl…

To put this into a different perspective... there are only 24 nations in the world with a larger military budget than the NYPD base budget.

Mexico is the 24th highest spending nation on military with an annual budget around $11.8B.

any other former public defenders or other social justice practitioners regularly dream of arraignments, or regular court appearances, covering people's cases, standing up in front of judges, arguing for freedom, etc.? I'm almost 4 years out, & they happen frequently.

'A budget is a statement of values' is 100% correct

Much respect & admiration for John Legend.

When I think about the Trump trial, I think about how rare trials are. And why? The vast majority can't afford bail like Trump. Even in small amounts like $100 or $1000. Locked up, they plead guilty to go home. I'm thinking about the importance of freedom.

Meet Jon. A fulltime leader for criminal justice reform in NYC. Bail reform meant he was able to care for his ailing father. Change his air filter. Run errands. All while working with his attorney to fight his case. “Freedom should NEVER be taken for granted.” His freedom story:

“A woman showing up to an ER in Idaho could be at imminent risk of losing her reproductive organs, and yet a physician could still not be allowed to end her pregnancy to save them, unless or until she is about to die.” This is insanity.

An extraordinary story about freedom instead of pretrial detention.

7 long years an innocent man would’ve been locked up. Instead home w/ his family, working, living, partnering w/ his attorney. Case finally dismissed.

He would’ve probably pled guilty if he was in.