Indigent defense still experiencing problems 50 years after Gideon decision
An Equal Justice Initiative analysis shows how the 50th Anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Gideon decision demonstrates ongoing problems in indigent defense. Only 24 states have public defender systems and too often are hampered by inadequate funding and “crippling caseloads” for public defenders. Just last year, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Maples v Alabama, criticized Alabama’s failure to provide legal assistance to death row inmates, as too many must rely upon volunteers or no defense at all during the post-conviction process.
Troublemakers for the Beloved Community
The 50th Anniversary of the Letter from Birmingham Jail
By Alex Mikulich, Ph.D.
In an extraordinary, perhaps definitive occasion of the 50th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail on April 15, 2013, ordained leaders of Evangelical, Pentecostal, Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox traditions signed a new response to that classic Letter.
Coalition gathers to advocate for fair lending in Alabama
The Alliance for Responsible Lending in Alabama (ARLA), a large coalition advocating fair lending policies, gathered on February 28 at the state house in Montgomery to urge legislators to cap payday loans at 36% and to curtail automobile title lending.
A Legacy of “Cussedness”
Update on Alabama’s Harsh Immigration Enforcement Laws
By Susan Weishar, Ph.D.
Alabama Religious Leaders Urge Governor to Repeal Anti-Immigrant Law
On December 19, 2011, Alabama religious leaders called upon Governor Bentley to lead the repeal of Alabama’s 2011 anti-immigrant law. “We pray that you will show great political courage and leadership and support the repeal of this unfortunate piece of legislation that has brought such heartache to our State.” The letter was signed by Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi of Mobile, Bishop Robert J. Baker of the Catholic Diocese of Birmingham, Bishop Henry N. Parsley, Jr., of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama, Bishop William H.
That “Merciless Law”: The Faith Response to Alabama’s HB 56
By Edward B. Arroyo, S.J. and Sue Weishar, Ph.D.
Injustice Unleashed: HB 56 takes hold in Alabama
By Sue Weishar, Ph.D.
In the July JustSouth E-news we reported on Alabama’s new harsh anti-immigrant law, HB 56, and the Church’s response to that law. Today we provide an update on HB 56.
Alabama anti-immigrant law prompts strong reaction from church leaders
Father Arroyo testifies against Alabama anti-immigrant bill