Human Rights

The proof of a totalitarian regime is its commitment to the death penalty. If the police power of the State is unwavering in its loyalty to the right to execute human beings that state has assumed absolute control over the most important decision that faces any people - who lives and who dies.

Almost alone among its friends and allies, The United States of America retains the right to execute men and women without mercy. As well as being disproportionately used against Black people, People of Color, and almost universally against poor people, the continued loyalty to this "cruel and unusual practice" (US Constitution) raises the question, Is our nation a limited government under a rule of law or a God-like judge without limits in the power over life and death?

Justine grew up in the upstate New York area and quickly saw how substance abuse was criminalized. This inspired her to pursue a legal career with the specific goal of helping those with substance abuse disorders. She now works as a criminal defense attorney that is passionate about criminal justice reform issues, specifically substance abuse issues, abolishing the death penalty, sentencing reform, and prison reform.

Amanda, is a Legal Assistant with the Public Defenders Office in Florida. She grew up in Florida and has seen first hand how policing affects poor communities and communities of color. She is passionate about criminal justice reform specifically in the areas of abolishing the death penalty, police reform, and racial justice. With Justine, she is the co-host and co-founder of the Gin & Justice Podcast.

vicii.org

Champlain College Professor Duane Dunston is developing a mobile app, YHAV (You Have a Voice), to help bridge the communication barrier with identifying trafficking victims and survivors.

In Part 3 of our series, Dunston talks about his experience of learning about slavery for sex and labor when he was a young teacher in Thailand. He learned how impoverished men, women, and children were forced into slavery and then he decided to do something about it which has resulted in his YHAV app which offers access in over 30 languages.

Edith Klimoski, Vermont director of Give Way to Freedom, and Sister Pat McKittrick, RN, SP, director of the University of Vermont Community Outreach program, talk with host Margaret Harrington about the complex issue of human trafficking. In this first show of a series, they give a multi-national cultural context. They describe the human suffering caused by drugs, prostitution, poverty and gangs and how this impacts all sections of the Vermont community. They chart practical ways to confront the issue and lead the way to recovery.

On Friday, March 17th Channel 17/Town Meeting TV community producer Enrique “Kike” Balcazar, producer of Nadando Contra la Corriente con Justicia Migrante, the popular Spanish language program for Vermont migrant farm workers, was one of three people detained and arrested by U.S. Immigration and Custom's Enforcement (ICE) officials last week. Enrique’s arrested colleagues include Zully Palacios and Alex Carrillo.

Enrique Balcazar is a remarkable champion of free speech and an inspiring advocate for Vermont migrant farm workers. Channel 17/Town Meeting TV recently nominated Enrique for a national Hometown Media Award with the Alliance for Community Media for his important work as producer and host of Nadando Contra la Corriente con Justicia Migrante.

In less than 12 hours notice, hundreds of people turned out to show their support for Kike, Zully, and Alex.