Program areas at EJUSA
Repealing the death penalty programthe death penalty is a modern-day relic of lynching that promotes gross racial disparities in determining who lives and dies. Fortunately, for this and many other reasons, including the horrific risk of executing an innocent person, the death penalty in the u.s. is on its way out. Eleven states have ended the death penalty in the modern era, with ejusa and its state partners playing a prominent role in achieving each of these successes. Ejusa educates the public about the death penalty's problems; mobilizes opposition to high-profile executions that illuminate systemic racism, the risk of wrongful conviction, or other injustices; trains and coaches local organizers around the country; fosters dialogue across the aisle, with law enforcement, survivors of violence, and other unlikely allies; and advocates for an end to the death penalty in key states.
Narrative shifting programto create the climate for new approaches to take hold, ejusa educates the public and policymakers about community-led approaches to violence prevention, brings media attention to the impact and success of these programs, and elevates key voices that push back on the current punitive narrative of Justice. In newark, nj, baton rouge, la, and other cities, ejusa engages in public education campaigns to lift the stories of people most affected by the Justice system. Ejusa builds on these local stories - including holding newark up as a national model for addressing violence - to create a national narrative that emphasizes the success of programs that address violence while reducing reliance on policing and mass incarceration. This national communications program works to change false narratives about violence, race, and trauma while lifting up the effectiveness of community-centered, trauma-informed responses to violence that center the healing and well-being of the most impacted communities.
Community safety and justiceejusa employs community organizing, advocacy, coalition building and other tactics to build community solutions to violence that lessen the u.s.'s dependence on over policing and incarceration. The program employs the following strategies to advance this goal: (1) policy advocacy to create and expand funding streams for violence prevention alternatives to law enforcement; (2) systems change via organizing, advocacy, and technical assistance on the ground in key cities to implement violence prevention and healing approaches on the ground; (3) capacity building to individual community-based organizations that offer violence prevention and healing programming in local neighborhoods, to help them strengthen their programs, access more funds, and expand their reach; and (4) trauma training and consulting with police officers.