News

50 people attended our January 10 Forum, including former inmates

Panelists from the Department of Correction, Juvenile Rehabilitative Services and the Community Legal Aid Society tackled tough questions about inmate treatment, punishment versus rehabilitation, recidivism, treatment of the mentally ill, and use of restrictive housing–aka solitary confinement.

50 people attended our January 10 Forum, including former inmates

Panelists from the Department of Correction, Juvenile Rehabilitative Services and the Community Legal Aid Society tackled tough questions about inmate treatment, punishment versus rehabilitation, recidivism, treatment of the mentally ill, and use of restrictive housing–aka solitary confinement.

More than 100 people came to hear Attorney General Matt Denn and Chief Defender Brendan O’Neill talk about “What Happens After You’re Accused of a Crime in Delaware”

SDARJ hosted the panel moderated by Drew McKay on November 15, 2016 at the Trinity Faith Christian Center in Lewes.

Attorney General Matt Denn and Chief Defender Brendan O’Neill talked about the challenges facing the state’s criminal justice system, including scarce resources for much needed reforms. Highlights of the meeting are in this article by reporter, Melissa Steele from the Cape Gazette. Watch TV coverage from WRDE (NBC) and WMDT (ABC), who covered the event and featured our story during their 11:00 pm newscasts.

Oct 11 SDARJ Meeting reveals problems and solutions

The Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice presented, “Structural Racial Inequality in State Government,” at 7:00 p.m. on October 11, 2016 at the Trinity Faith Christian Center at 15516 New Road in Lewes. Our presenter, Alicia Clark, conducted the study of systemic discrimination and racism in state government in collaboration with the Inter-denominational Ministers Action Council and the NAACP. The study covered minorities including African-Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics and women.

More than 150 people hear Cape area police talk about their commitment to good community relations

SDARJ hosted a panel of police chiefs from Cape area departments at 7:00 p.m. on September 20, 2016 at the Trinity Faith Christian Center in Lewes. The police chiefs fielded tough questions about relations with the African-American community and talked about their positive and pro-active initiatives to protect the safety and well-being of all citizens.

Policy expert shared proven strategies for reforming the juvenile justice system at SDARJ’s August 12 meeting
Rachel Gassert, Policy Director at the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights (LCCR), shared proven strategies for reforming the juvenile justice system at the Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice’s (SDARJ) August 12, 2016 meeting.

Alliance Holds Circle of Peace in Response to Recent Violence Targeting African Americans and Police.
The Alliance presented a “Circle of Peace on Thursday, July 21 for Healing Communities” in response to the horror of violence against African Americans and police happening all over the country.

Cape Henlopen High Seniors Share Thoughts on Race at May 10 Event

The Cape Gazette reported in a June 6, 2016 article on our May 10 Alliance Meeting where Cape High seniors shared their thoughts on race. Six Cape Henlopen High seniors talked about their experiences as African-American students in the classroom and the overall school community. Bottom line: there is a lot of work to be done to create a more inclusive environment for African-American students at Cape High.