At this critical time in our nation’s history, EJI is more committed than ever to protecting our most vulnerable citizens from abuse, bigotry, and unfair treatment. America has the highest rate of incarceration in the world. An astonishing number of innocent people have been wrongly convicted and condemned, some to death by execution. Most states continue to prosecute young children as adults and place them in horrific conditions of confinement where they face isolation, sexual violence, and abuse.
Racial inequality and abuse and mistreatment of immigrants, religious minorities, and other disfavored communities are on the rise. Police violence and disturbing rhetoric justifying hate and bigotry present challenges that we must face. Our nation is still shadowed by a history of racial inequality that has not been adequately addressed.
EJI is working to confront these problems. In the last year we won the release of incarcerated people who were wrongly convicted or unfairly sentenced. We continue to win major cases eliminating excessive punishment and unfair sentencing. We are actively engaging communities in racial justice work and producing influential reports, videos, and educational materials.
This year, we opened two new national institutions that have drawn international praise. The Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice represent years of work by EJI to create new narrative spaces in the United States that document our nation’s history of racial inequality. The sites have already attracted tens of thousands of visitors. The opening of our sites this past April was accompanied by three days of events, talks, lectures, and performances that brought together an amazing array of voices and continue to have a great impact on the national discourse about race, poverty, and criminal justice reform.
We need your support now more than ever. We hope you will continue to stand with us as we fight to assist the poor, the incarcerated, and the condemned. With your help, we can create a more just nation.
EJI is a top rated Human and Civil Rights charity, according to Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest and most influential charity evaluator. Less than one percent of the thousands of charities rated earned a perfect score of 100 and EJI is among this highest performing group.
Today is Giving Tuesday! Please make a donation to EJI. Thank you for your support.