Join  Defy Colorado for “Good Trouble” a series of panel discussions covering a  multitude of issues that contribute to mass incarceration such as lack of access to mental health care and addiction treatment, the school to prison  pipeline, and racial inequality.

First up we are making some noise with, “Good Trouble: A Discussion of  Racial Inequality in the Criminal Justice System,” featuring opening comments from Attorney General Phil Weiser and panelists Colorado Department of Corrections Executive Director Dean Williams, University of Denver’s Apryl  Alexander, Civil Rights Attorney Tyrone Glover, and Currently Incarcerated  Advocate, Rhidale Dotson.

The systemic racism in our criminal justice system is keeping it moving in a  predictable direction. A direction that will keep the 2.2 million people in prison stuck in a cycle of disenfranchisement, continue to disproportionately impact people of color, and exponentially expand these inequities in the future.

What can we do? The first step is Good Trouble.

We are inspired by Rep. John Lewis, "Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble."

In our first conversation, we will explore our speakers' and panelists’ initiatives driving change and the impact of their leadership on all levels of the criminal justice system. They will share how they are working to actively identify and eliminate racism by changing systems, policies, and attitudes across our state.

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How can you contribute to change? Make your own noise and get into some good trouble with Defy Colorado.

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