Entries by Carla Crowder

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Human Rights Groups, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans, an Alabama Democratic Lawmaker, a GOP Operative, Corrections Professionals, a Retired Federal Magistrate Judge, and Cannabis Advocates Came Together to Stop a Disabled Black Veteran from Going to Prison. This is the Story of How We Failed.

By Leah Nelson leah.nelson@alabamaappleseed.org In August 2016, a disabled Black veteran named Sean Worsley brought his legally prescribed medical marijuana with him on a road trip from Arizona to North Carolina. On his way through Alabama, Worsley, who earned a Purple Heart in connection with injuries sustained during his 15 months disabling bombs and retrieving […]

September 4, 2020 /0 Comments/by
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Black Girls Are More Harshly Punished within Alabama’s K-12 Public Schools

By Akiesha Anderson, Appleseed Policy Director Today, the Appleseed Network released its newest report, “Protecting Girls of Color 2020.” This report contains disturbing findings that show Black girls within Alabama’s K-12 public school system are disciplined more harshly than their white counterparts. Based on data from the U.S. Department of Education, in 2015-2016 (the most […]

September 2, 2020 /0 Comments/by
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A New Job. A Christmas Party. His First-Ever Week of Paid Leave. Alvin Kennard, Once Sentenced to Die in Prison, Marks His First Year of Freedom.

By Carla Crowder, Executive Director Carla.Crowder@alabamaappleseed.org One year ago, Alvin Kennard stood in a Bessemer courtroom nervous and uncertain. Striped jailhouse scrubs swallowed his rail-thin, shivering frame. After 36 years in a sweltering, unairconditioned prison, the chilled air of Judge David Carpenter’s courtroom was a shock to his system. What came next was a shock […]

August 23, 2020 /0 Comments/by
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A Disabled Black Veteran with Prescribed Medical Marijuana in His Car Played Air Guitar while Pumping Gas in Alabama. Now He’s Going to Prison.

By Leah Nelson, Appleseed Research Director | Leah.Nelson@alabamaappleseed.org PICKENS COUNTY — Sean and Eboni Worsley’s nightmare began with music a police officer found too loud for his liking. It was August 2016, and the Worsleys were on their way east, heading from a visit with Eboni’s folks in Mississippi to surprise Sean’s family in North Carolina. […]

June 30, 2020 /0 Comments/by

Introducing Appleseed Legal Fellow Alex LaGanke

My name is Alex LaGanke, and I am thrilled to be joining Alabama Appleseed as a Legal Fellow. Appleseed is bringing me on to grow our presence in criminal and municipal courts where low-income people lack legal representation. My contribution to Appleseed’s mission will encompass the direct assistance of clients by organizing projects for pro […]

June 8, 2020 /0 Comments/by

Appleseed Network Response to the Murder of George Floyd and the Fight Against Systemic Racial Injustice

Alabama Appleseed is proud to be a member of the Appleseed network of 18 centers across the United States and Mexico. Collectively our network stands in solidarity with Black voices and Black-led movements mobilizing for change and releases the following statement: America is hurting. The unjust murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and […]

June 4, 2020 /0 Comments/by

Appleseed Welcomes 2020 Class of Summer Interns

Our team at Alabama Appleseed is pleased to be working with several terrific students this summer. Through remote internships, these students are advancing the cause for justice in Alabama and helping us with research, writing, data collection, policy analysis, and more. The passion, dedication, and skill of these students brightens the future. We are proud […]

June 1, 2020 /0 Comments/by
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Tuscaloosa’s “Operation Safe Streets” Makes Tuscaloosa More Dangerous for Some

By Leah Nelson, Appleseed Research Director As Alabama struggles to contain Covid-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus that has gripped the world’s attention since January, law enforcement officials and judges across the state have taken bold steps to prioritize public health over punishment by slowing arrests for low-level offenses and releasing from jails […]

May 29, 2020 /0 Comments/by
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A 71-year old man finally walks free, after marijuana sent him away

By Carla Crowder, Appleseed Executive Director Birmingham, Ala. — A little more justice slowly made its way into Alabama this week. Roberto Cruz, a 71-year-old man who had been sentenced to die in prison for a case involving marijuana – that’s right, only marijuana – was resentenced to time served and will soon be released […]

May 8, 2020 /0 Comments/by
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Black Belt COVID-19 testing improves, but there is much more to do

By Akiesha Anderson, Appleseed Policy Director On March 30th, Alabama Appleseed sent a letter to Dr. Scott Harris—Director of the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), and Brian Hastings—Director of the Alabama Department of Emergency Management (ADEM), urging their agencies to share with Appleseed and the general public their plans to ensure that COVID-19 testing […]

May 4, 2020 /0 Comments/by