Tina Cummings’ Post

There are two bills currently pending in the U.S. Congress. Senate: S.3589 and House H.R.6981 These bills, known as the “Preventing Private Paramilitary Activity Act of 2024” were allegedly drawn up in response to the January 6th, 2021 attacks on the U.S. Capital building. Though that incident is a talking point basis, these bills have the potential to further erode freedoms in the United States, in this case, the elimination of church security teams. Essentially, they will become illegal. Those pushing this bill are using that incident as evidence that any organized protection efforts not under the direct authority of Governmental oversight is dangerous. That wording is dangerous. It was wrong for conservatives to follow the models demonstrated by liberal anarchists on 1/6/21, but that is exactly what they did. To push such a broad-reaching response to it however, changing and adding laws that would even define a volunteer security team as a “private paramilitary organization” is a mistake. Don’t believe me? Here is the exact definition included in the bill; “…The term ‘private paramilitary organization’ means any group of 3 or more persons associating under a command structure for the purpose of functioning in public or training to function in public as a combat, combat support, law enforcement, or security services unit.” You think just because your church is private property you aren’t considered public in some cases? Go to church drunk and act up. Then fight charges of public intoxication on the basis you “weren’t in a public place.” Let us know how that pans out for you. Think about it, every worthy endeavor must eventually be represented at the Capital level. Faith-based security is no exception. The voice of the private citizen is only forfeited by that person’s choices to not vote and / or not contact their appropriate representatives when they should. I am urging everyone in this country to exercise your rights and contact the appropriate U.S. Senators and Representatives for your State to let them know (in your own words) if you are opposed to these bills. Thank you for your support! In this day and age, church security teams are absolutely critical to keeping everyone safe so they can worship in peace.

Today’s quote from “Stolen Freedom,” written by Morning Star Gali, a California-based Indigenous organizer, reminds us of the importance of restorative justice beyond the limiting and oppressive ideologies of settler colonialism. Gali’s political organizing work has manifested into large-scale actions for Indigenous sovereignty, climate justice, gender justice, and support for incarcerated Indigenous communities in California. As part of Kolin Kaepernick’s book, Abolition for the People: The Movement for a Future without Policing & Prisons, “Stolen Freedom” addresses the ongoing imprisoning and disenfranchisement of Native people and the resilient action of Indigenous community leaders to protect each other. Through Gali’s quote, we consider new ways to model repair through the practices of Indigenous peoples. In our work, we are grounded in a culture of care and a deep responsibility to our community. At The LP, we often consider these questions as we practice resilience: How can community care and repair exist outside of a discriminatory justice system? How can we heal together? Reflect and share: How does community repair show up in your neighborhood? Share your thoughts below, and stay tuned for more insights from our LP Library! #ReadRestandReflect #TheLPLibrary

▪️ #Republicans are blasting a lawsuit challenging the state’s #congressionaldistrict lines, while Madison-area U.S. Rep Mark Pocan said the case is an opportunity to ensure the districts are fair for all of #Wisconsin. ▪️ Senator Ron Johnson’s name leads a letter to Senate Republican Conference Chair Senator John Barrasso asking for a meeting to discuss aid to #Ukraine. ▪️ Johnson and Senator Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, joined fellow senators in rejecting a move by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders to require a report on whether #Israel has violated human rights as the death toll in #Gaza rises. ▪️ Baldwin this week called for President Joe Biden to ensure Wisconsin communities facing a strain on their resources due to increased #migration are eligible for federal #funding. ▪️ U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher ripped as a “step back” the Biden administration’s decision to re-add the #Iran-backed #Houthi militia group in #Yemen to the Specially Designated Global Terrorists list. ▪️ Former La Crosse County Board Chair Tara Johnson has dropped out of the 3rd CD race. ▪️ U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden has endorsed Donald J. Trump for president, the first #GOP member of Wisconsin’s congressional delegation to back someone in the race. ⏩ Read more on each of these and more at https://lnkd.in/gYDYsEqr

I put together a backgrounder on transitional justice as part 1 of a series on the subject: https://lnkd.in/g6Kcas-G

Second Chances and Clemency: The Biggest Step in the Right Direction, by Governor Murphy On Juneteenth, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order 362, which represents a significant advancement in executive clemency and criminal justice reform. This is a pioneering advancement towards a more equitable criminal justice system. Creating a separate Clemency Advisory Board would specifically guarantee a more equitable evaluation procedure for individuals seeking a second opportunity. This initiative extends beyond the mere act of releasing individuals from incarceration. It concerns providing them with a genuine chance to reconstruct their lives. People with criminal records, often due to circumstances beyond their control, face immense hurdles in finding housing, employment, and reintegrating into society. Clemency has the power to eliminate the stigma associated with a previous error and enable individuals to be evaluated solely on their abilities and contributions to their communities. Executive Order 362 has the potential to unlock the potential of countless individuals. Envision the favorable influence on families and communities when individuals are able to utilize their abilities and aptitudes without the weight of a criminal record. We need to move beyond a system that judges people solely based on their past mistakes. It's time to consider the root causes of crime—mental health, addiction, and poverty—and offer a path to redemption. Countless people with criminal records are already making positive contributions, and clemency can empower them to do even more. Let's use this as a springboard for more comprehensive criminal justice reform. Let's create a system that welcomes offenders back into society and focuses on giving them second chances. #clemency #secondchances #criminaljusticereform

Yesterday, the Biden administration brokered a sweeping prisoner swap with Russia. But in a new commentary, Jason Rezaian breaks down the barriers to reintegration for the returned hostages, including: 🔸 Recovering from the psychological toll of imprisonment. 🔹 Addressing the financial burden that comes with long-term detention. 🔸 Managing the influx of media attention. Read his full piece to find out how the United States can implement bipartisan policies to address these barriers: https://lnkd.in/eU8ynWyx

Stop the war. Stop the indifference. Stop the dehumanization. Stop the deliberate attacks on health care and civil society. Stop the starvation. Stop the killing. End the occupation and end the system of apartheid. Get rid of extremists and manipulators in positions of power. Start working on peace, freedom and humanitarian relief. Free the hostages, free the political prisoners and free all children incarcerated in adult prisons. Free ourselves from endless cycles of violence and revenge, trauma upon trauma. Free ourselves from collective delusions about only us being right and knowing better. Stop thinking that more atrocities will bring us closer to safety for ourselves and our neighbours. Let's say it all again. There is no time to waste.

What if they worked with us instead of against us? Remember the root causes of abuse/violence are the same. This is lifelong work and should include the liberation of ALL. The following calls to action are all CONNECTED. 1. Adopt the Keeping Children Safe From Family Violence Act (aka #KaydensLaw)* in all 50 U.S. states and similar legislation across the globe. 2. Continue to dismantle the patriarchy / colonialism / white supremacy 3. Continue to do everything you can to ensure that Palestinians are free, justice is served, and then work to ensure that all those oppressed on this planet are liberated. *The Keeping Children Safe From Family Violence Act (aka #KaydensLaw) was passed and signed with bipartisan support on March 15, 2022 as part of the VAWA Reauthorization on a Federal level. It has currently been passed on a state level in Colorado, California (#Piquislaw), Tennessee (#AbrialsLaw) and is currently in progress in Pennsylvania, Washington and Utah (#omslaw).

The rise of community safety patrols, like JForce and Magen Herut in Toronto, is concerning—though understandable. When people feel that the state is unable or unwilling to protect them, it’s only natural that some will step in to fill the void. But let’s not overlook the bigger issue here: this is a failure of government and law enforcement. Perhaps it’s time to shift the focus from merely “keeping the peace” to actively “enforcing the law.” Communities should not have to rely on their own patrols to feel safe in their neighborhoods. What do you think? Should governments and law enforcement agencies be doing more to protect vulnerable communities? #CommunitySafety #LawEnforcement #PublicSafety #Toronto #GovernmentResponse #JewishCommunity #Leadership #Accountability #Security https://lnkd.in/gWmd59Bm