Thread by @freddieoconnell

As we get underway, I’m already glad that CM Taylor persuaded @phalcon7 to facilitate today’s community listening session.

She brought students and has suggested #Liberate208 as the hashtag for the day, so follow along (and participate!) even if you can’t attend.

Starting with most tables full. CM Taylor opening by referencing @BrookingsInst analysis on incarceration that had 37208 as the most incarcerating zip code in the country for people born there from 1980-1986.

#Liberate208

“I’m not a fan of civil conversation because civil conversation is often not real talk.” ~ @phalcon7

She elaborated on the difficulty of reconciliation without truth.

cc @davidplazas

#Liberate208

Participant introductions: What is your name? What did you give up to be here today?

#Liberate208

Question One: How has incarceration affected your life, family, and/or work in the 37208 community?

#Liberate208

Question Two: What key systemic, institutional, or policy change do you need to see to prevent or restore the harm caused by incarceration in this community?

#Liberate208

Question Three: What else do you want/need to better understand these issues? What information would be useful for designing solutions? Hold folk accountable for positive change?

#Liberate208

Question Four: If we successfully implement your idea, what change will we see in the 37208 community in three months? Next year?

#Liberate208

A few more folks came to listen: @bedne @JimShulman3 @JudgeJenniferTN @toombsfortwo.

#Liberate208

Oh! And I just spotted @bellforjudge.

#Liberate208

One of my favorite moments of the day. An @NC5 cameraman taking on a young apprentice.

#Liberate208

In closing the listening groups at the tables, @phalcon7 requests that @JimShulman3 37208 committee transcribe all of today’s ideas and include all of them in the report and create benchmarks for progress.

#Liberate208

As we close today’s session, please add your responses to today’s questions with the #Liberate208 hashtag, and I and the committee will see and document them.