Speak Truth Louisiana will host “Drinks & Discussion: Happy Hour with a Purpose” from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Friday, May 19, at the Treme Hideaway, 1234 N Claiborne Ave. The event is designed to raise awareness about the state of criminal justice policies in Louisiana and to raise money for mothers jailed for nonviolent offenses who cannot afford bail.
Event organizer William Snowden works as a staff attorney at the Orleans Public Defenders. As a defense attorney, Snowden says he witnesses discriminatory practices from how jurors are selected and removed to harsh, unfair sentences. He is especially concerned by how jailed women and, by extension their families, are impacted by the system.
“Too often, women lose their cases because they cannot afford bond simply because they’re poor,” Snowden says. “And they have lesser success of fighting their cases from jail as opposed to aiding in their defense while released on bond.”
Speak Truth Louisiana is an organization of concerned New Orleanians who seek to educate themselves and others on criminal justice reform issues and to dethrone Louisiana as the most populated prison state in the country.
To RSVP, visit speaktruthlouisiana.weebly.com
