On May 18th, 2022, Fourth Universalist Society Racial Justice Team hosted an online presentation of “Racially Charged: America's Misdemeanor Problem,” a documentary film. Learn more about the film here: https://misdemeanorfilm.org/ The screening was followed by this recorded discussion and panel.The panel featured Derrick Hamilton and Rebecca Brown.

Derrick Hamilton, a formerly incarcerated man who became a jailhouse lawyer and whose exoneration lead him to push for the "Challenging Wrongful Convictions Act", will give a brief retelling of his experience and why the bill is so important

Learn more: (https://innocenceproject.org/how-derrick-hamilton-won-his-freedom/ )

Rebecca Brown, Director of Policy at the Innocence Project, will give an overview of why so many innocent people plead guilty to misdemeanors (to avoid jail time and the legal process) as well as information on the bill.

Here is an OpEd she wrote for the Daily News on the problem: https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-oped-albany-discovery-20220322-o2mofzo24nde3nrr22g5t2mixy-story.html

The 4th Universalist Racial Justice Team is proud to partner with co-sponsors: The New York Society for Ethical Culture West End Synagogue St. Bartholomew’s Church The Community Church of NY All Souls Unitarian Church New York Unitarian Universalists for Justice (NYUUJ)

Learn more about Fourth Universalist at www.4thu.org