The Purple State Report

In this episode, we continue our series on Colorado’s death penalty. Our guest Dean Sanderford, witnessed the horribly botched execution of his client, Clayton Lockett. Public Policy Associate, Helen Griffiths interviews. Read the ACLU of Colorado report, “Ending a Broken System: Colorado’s Expensive, Ineffective and Unjust Death Penalty” at http://bit.ly/EABSco

The Purple State Report is back and we begin the new year with a series of podcast episodes analyzing Colorado’s death penalty. In this episode, our guest is Sister Helen Prejean, a prominent anti-death penalty activist and author of Dead Man Walking. Public Policy Director, Denise Maes and Public Policy Associate, Helen Griffiths interview. Join ACLU of Colorado on January 14, 2020, for End The Death Penalty Lobby Day. More info at: https://bit.ly/2QzCueS   The Purple State Report is brought to you by the ACLU of Colorado. Our show is produced by Vanessa Michel and Helen Griffiths with original theme music by Pablo Novelas. Additional music by Chilly Gonzalez and Jarvis Cocker. If you have feedback or suggestions for future episodes email us at purplestate@aclu-co.org.

This November Colorado will vote in an especially critical election with wide implications for civil rights and civil liberties. While the governor and congressional races often garner the most attention the Attorney General race is often overlooked. The Attorney General is the people's lawyer and a legal advocate for all Coloradans. The AG is responsible for protecting our state from overreach by the federal government and is the most powerful elected official when it comes to standing up to the Trump administration. We invited both major party candidates to the Purple State Report to discuss their positions on a wide range of civil rights and civil liberties issues. Today we present our interview with the Democratic candidate for Attorney General Phil Weiser conducted by Public Policy Director Denise Maes and Policy Council Rebecca Wallace. Representative George Brauchler has thus far declined our invitation but we hope he will join us for a future episode. As a reminder, the ACLU is a nonpartisan organization and does not endorse candidates but we do present both candidates views so voters make an informed decision. The Purple State Report is brought to you by the ACLU of Colorado. Our show was produced by Vanessa Michel and John Krieger with original theme music by Pablo Novelas. Additional music by The Chantays If you have feedback or suggestions for future episodes email us at purplestate@aclu-co.org. For more information go to: https://aclu-co.org/27-ag-candidate-phil-weiser/ And: https://voteyouragcolorado.org/

With Justice Kennedy’s retirement and Trump’s nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court there are a lot of anxieties about civil liberties in general, but specifically reproductive rights. On this episode, ACLU of Colorado Reproductive Rights Campaign Coordinator Delana Maynes interviews Reproductive Rights Policy Council Lizzy Hinkley on the real possibility that the Supreme Court could overturn Roe v. Wade. Later we invite special guest Karla Gonzales Garcia, Policy Director at COLOR (Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights), who will explain why many women are already living in a post-Roe world. But first Delana interviews Executive Director of ACLU of Colorado Nathan Woodliff-Stanley who gives an overview of the most recent Supreme Court term. Call To Action: Send a message to your senators right now to demand that they get Kavanaugh's clear position on Roe v. Wade on the record before the confirmation vote. Go to: http://bit.ly/2LCAhxp To learn more about COLOR go to: https://www.colorlatina.org/ The Purple State Report is brought to you by the ACLU of Colorado. Our show was produced by Vanessa Michel, John Krieger, and Alejandra Garza with original theme music by Pablo Novelas. Additional music by Empress Of. If you have feedback or suggestions for future episodes email us at purplestate@aclu-co.org. https://aclu-co.org/scotus-and-life-after-roe/

On June 30th, thousands of Coloradans across the state rallied to urge an end to President Trump’s cruel policy of family separation. On this podcast, John sits down with Alejandra who traveled to the US/Mexico border in Brownsville, Texas to see firsthand the impact Trump’s zero-tolerance policy has had on families seeking asylum. Afterward, we will listen to Alejandra’s interview with a 9-year-old child who came to the US seeking asylum, was taken from his father, and held for a week in a place he calls “the icebox.” Call To Action: The Department of Homeland Security is responsible for inflicting heinous abuses on children in its custody. Voice your concern and contact your senator now by going to http://bit.ly/dhsiceabuse To read All That He Owns, by Alejandra Garza go to: https://greaterparkhill.org/2018/07/all-that-he-owns/ For more photos and videos go to: https://aclu-co.org/dispatch-from-the-border/ The Purple State Report is brought to you by the ACLU of Colorado. Our show was produced by Vanessa Michel, John Krieger, and Alejandra Garza with original theme music by Pablo Novelas. Additional music by Alela Diane and Dexter Britain. If you have feedback or suggestions for future episodes email us at purplestate@aclu-co.org.

On June 26, Boulder County voters will choose between Michael Dougherty and Mike Foote for District Attorney. In this episode ACLU of Colorado Public Policy Director, Denise Maes and Staff Attorney Rebecca Wallace sit down with Boulder District Attorney candidate Mike Foote to discuss immigration, police accountability, and more. District Attorneys are one of the most influential players in the criminal justice system. They choose who gets charged for which crimes, hold police accountable for misconduct, and provide access to alternatives to incarceration. Fair-minded district attorneys can help bring an end to racially-biased policing, unequal bail practices and mass incarceration, yet elections for DA are often overlooked. The ACLU does not endorse candidates, but we do encourage all voters to participate and to hold their candidates accountable to civil rights and civil liberties.

On June 26, Boulder County voters will choose between Michael Dougherty and Mike Foote for District Attorney. In this episode, ACLU of Colorado Public Policy Director Denise Maes, and Staff Attorney Rebecca Wallace sit down with Boulder District Attorney candidate Michael Dougherty to discuss immigration, police accountability, and more. District Attorneys are one of the most influential players in the criminal justice system. They choose who gets charged for which crimes, hold police accountable for misconduct, and provide access to alternatives to incarceration. Fair-minded district attorneys can help bring an end to racially-biased policing, unequal bail practices and mass incarceration, yet elections for DA are often overlooked. The ACLU does not endorse candidates, but we do encourage all voters to participate and to hold their candidates accountable to civil rights and civil liberties.

There were many questions following Monday's Supreme Court ruling of the Masterpiece Cakeshop case. Today ACLU of Colorado Staff Attorney Sara Neel explains how we got here, what the ruling means, and where we go from here. Call To Action: Congress: Pass The Equality Act Now https://www.aclu.org/Support-Equality-Act The Purple State Report is brought to you by the ACLU of Colorado. Our show was produced by Vanessa Michel, John Krieger, Alejandra Garza and Morris Franklin with original theme music by Pablo Novelas. If you have feedback or suggestions for future episodes email us at purplestate@aclu-co.org.

Las acciones recientes de ICE y la administración Trump han generado preocupacion en la comunidad de inmigrantes de Colorado. Ahora es un buen momento para recordarles a todos que la Constitución y la Carta de Derechos protegen a "Nosotros la gente", no a "Nosotros los ciudadanos." Field Director Alejandra Garza y Staff Attorney Arash Jahanian presentan un programa especial sobre los derechos de los inmigrantes y sus familias. CIRC linea de respuesta rapida: 1-844-864-8341 RMIAN linea para personas detenidas: 303-866-9308 Pagina de ICE : https://locator.ice.gov/odls/#/index Para mas informacion y ejemplos de una orden de ICE no firmado por un Juez, y un ejemplo de una orden de cateo firmado por un Juez. Visita la pagina: https://aclu-co.org/inmigracion-conozca-sus-derechos/

Recent actions by ICE and the Trump deportation machine have raised concerns in the Colorado immigrant community. Now is a good time to remind everyone that the Constitution and Bill of Rights protects “We the people,” not “We the citizens.” Field Director Alejandra Garza and Staff Attorney Arash Jahanian present a special know your rights discussion for immigrants and their families. We also have a bonus pod of this presentation for our Spanish-speaking audience. CIRC Rapid Response hotline: 1-844-864-8341 RMIAN hotline for detained individuals and family members: 303-866-9308 ICE Locator page: https://locator.ice.gov/odls/#/index Visit our website at https://aclu-co.org/immigration-know-your-rights/ for additional information and examples of ICE warrants and a judicial warrant signed by a judge. The Purple State Report is brought to you by the ACLU of Colorado. Our show was produced by Vanessa Michel, John Krieger, Alejandra Garza and Arash Jahanian with original theme music by Pablo Novelas. Additional music by Y La Bamba. If you have feedback or suggestions for future episodes email us at purplestate@aclu-co.org.

The Department of Justice has suspended funding for the Legal Orientation Program which provides essential legal information to people in immigration detention. Staff Attorney Arash Jahanian sits down with Mekela Goehring, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network, to discuss the consequences of ending the program and the most important things immigration detainees and their families should know. Also, an update from Jen Samano. For more info on RMIAN go to www.rmian.org. The hotline for detained individuals and family members is: (303) 866-9308 CALL TO ACTION: Urge Colorado lawmakers to increase transparency and accountability in law enforcement. To contact the House Judiciary Committee go to http://bit.ly/HB1404IAB The Purple State Report is brought to you by the ACLU of Colorado. Our show was produced by Vanessa Michel, John Krieger, Alejandra Garza and Arash Jahanian with original theme music by Pablo Novelas. Additional music by Phantogram. For more information visit our website at aclu-co.org. If you have feedback or suggestions for future episodes email us at purplestate@aclu-co.org.

Colorado’s largest newspaper, The Denver Post, recently announced it would cut a third of its newsroom staff. John sits down with Noelle Phillips a Denver Post reporter and Vice Chair of the Denver Newspaper Guild to talk about the recent layoffs, the role of journalism in holding our public officials accountable, Sinclair-owned tv stations, and “fake news.” Also, an update from Stephen on the Live and Let Live Bill. Call to Action: If your Colorado driver’s license has been canceled because of court debt in a traffic case you couldn’t afford, contact Becca Curry at bcurry@aclu-co.org or 720-402-3115.   Call to Action: Contact the Joint Budget Committee and urge them to focus on the education and well-being of students and not an increased police presence. Sen. Dominick Moreno: dominick.moreno.senate@state.co.us 303.866.4857 Sen. Kevin Lundberg: kevin@kevinlundberg.com 303.866.4853 Sen. Ken Lambert: senatorlambert@comcast.net 303.866.4835 Rep. Millie Hamner: rephamner@gmail.com 303.866.2952 Rep. Bob Rankin: bob.rankin.house@state.co.us 303.866.2949 Rep. Dave Young: dave.young.house@state.co.us 303.866.2929 Contact the corporate owners of The Denver Post: Alton Global Capital: 212-418-6865 Digital First Media CEO Guy Gilmore: 651-717-7377 The Purple State Report is brought to you by the ACLU of Colorado. Our show was produced by Vanessa Michel, John Krieger and Alejandra Garza with original theme music by Pablo Novelas. Additional music by Unknown Mortal Orchestra. For more information visit our website at aclu-co.org. If you have feedback or suggestions for future episodes email us at purplestate@aclu-co.org.

Last week the ACLU of Colorado hosted its annual Lobby Day. Over one hundred community lobbyists came out to defend civil liberties for all Coloradans. We interviewed several people and asked them what brought them to the Capitol. We also have an update from Staff Attorney Arash Jahanian on the class action lawsuit filed against El Paso County Sheriff Bill Elder for illegally holding prisoners for ICE.  Call To Action: President Trump’s pick for CIA director has a dark history of leading state-sponsored torture – and the Senate must not even start her confirmation hearings until that history is declassified and publicly released. http://bit.ly/haspelrecord Call To Action: A bill was recently introduced in the Colorado legislature that is one of the most mean-spirited, blatantly anti-LGBT bills to be introduced in the Colorado State Legislature in years, and one of the most hateful and despicable attacks on gay, lesbian, and trans people that our state has ever seen. Call the sponsors of the HB18-1206 bill. Prime Sponsors: Rep. Stephen Humphrey- 303-866-2943 Rep. Kevin Lundberg - 303-866-4853 Additional Sponsors: Rep. J. Becker- 303-866-3706 Rep. J. Everett- 303-866-2927 Rep. T. Leonard- 303-866-2582 Rep. K. Lewis- 303-866-2398 Rep. P. Lundeen- 303-866-2924 Rep. P. Neville- 303-866-5523 Rep. K. Ransom- 303-866-2933 Rep. L. Saine- 303-866-2906 Rep. S. Sandridge- 303-866-2965 Rep. K. Van Winkle- 303-866-2936 Rep. Y. Willett- 303-866-2583 Rep. D. Williams- 303-866-5525 Sen. R. Baumgardner- 303-866-5292 Sen. C. Holbert- 303-866-4881 Sen. K. Lambert- 303-866-4835 Sen. V. Marble- 303-866-4876 Sen. T. Neville- 303-866-4873 Sen. K. Priola- 303-866-4855 Sen. J. Sonnenberg- 303-866-6360

A few weeks ago three Republicans on the Joint Budget Committee voted to block funding to the Colorado Civil Rights Division, which protects all Coloradans from discrimination in employment, housing and public spaces. Hundreds of Coloradans rallied in support of the CCRD. While the funding is likely secure, some members of the Senate are pushing to change its make-up and reduce or even end its enforcement power. Alejandra sits down with Representative Leslie Herod to discuss the importance of the CCRD and how losing it would affect all Coloradans. We also have a story from Staff Attorney Arash Jahanian on a new class action lawsuit filed yesterday against El Paso County Sheriff  Bill Elder for illegally holding prisoners for ICE. And, Reproductive Rights Policy Counsel, Lizzy Hinkley talks about anti-abortion bills defeated at the state legislature. Call to Action: Join us for Lobby Day, March 14th at 8am. RSVP at: https://action.aclu.org/secure/co_LobbyDay2018 Join our Dream Act Phone Bank: https://www.facebook.com/events/203924433686973/

On this bonus pod, John talks with Terese Howard from Denver Homeless Outloud and Trigg Bundgaard one of the founders of the Coalition for Compassion and Action about the Right to Rest Act, a bill that pushes back on the criminalization of homelessness in Colorado.