Calendar

Fairness for Prisoners' Families
Day at the Capitol
February 27, 2007
9 am to 11:30am
Orientation @ 9am at Trinity United Methodist Church, 265 Washington St. SW, Atlanta, GA 30303, phone # (404) 659-6236

During the legislative session Fairness follows legislation important to those with imprisoned loved ones. Join us this special day when we all approach our legislators about the ways state policies effect the hundreds of thousands of adults and children in Georgia who have a friend or family member in prison, jail, on parole or probation, or in youth detention centers.

The keys to political power are voting and
voicing our concerns to our elected officials.

Through legislative advocacy the families and friends of the Georgia''s incarcerated citizens can call our elected officials and the GDC to accountability for the care of the massive number of people in Georgia’s prisons and jails.

Check it out! Here’s the Agenda for Family Day at the Capitol:

8:30-9:00:     Registration + light breakfast
9:00-9:15:     Welcome address from Fairness staff
9:15-9:40:     Presentation from Representative Roberta Abdul-Salaam (D-Riverdale)

·         “Power to the People: YOUR VOICE COUNTS!”

·         Questions and Answers

9:40-10:10:   Fairness training on lobbying

·         “How to Effectively Communicate with your legislators” including:

·         What is lobbying? How do we do it?

·         Orientation on the Capitol building

10:10-10:20   Walk across street to Capitol
10:20-11:45   Visits with legislators

·         Greeting legislators from home districts

·         Talk with State Institutions & Properties Committee about the proposed Medical Co-Pay Legislation

·         Talk with Legislators about further amendments to the HB 1059 bill (specifically SB 1, making it unlawful for convicted sex offenders to take pictures of minors under the age of 18)

12:00             Press Conference with Georgians for Alternatives Against the Death Penalty
                     regarding the Moratorium bill

LOBBY DAY IS OFFICIALLY OVER AT THIS POINT, but if you care to stay:

Lunch with other Family members and Fairness Staff at the Sloppy Floyd Cafeteria

As a member of Fairness, one way you can create that change is by talking to your legislators at Family Day at the Capitol. There are four main reasons to get involved:

·        It’s a chance to demonstrate to your legislators that people who have a loved one in a Georgia prison are their constituents, and legislators have to address their concerns if they want to stay in office.

·        To lobby on issues affecting you and your loved one. Many social and criminal justice issues come before the General Assembly each year, such as increased sentences, changes in parole policies and regulations for Georgia Department of Corrections. These issues need your help to create a positive outcome for your loved ones.

·    To be introduced to your right as a citizen to talk to and challenge your legislators face to face.

·        To discover how easy it is to contact your legislators and voice your views.

On February 27, 2007 we will be meeting at 9am at Trinity United Methodist Church (265 Washington St. SW, Atlanta, GA) for an Orientation. The church is down from the Capitol, on the Corner of Trinity Avenue and Washington Street. We will then head over to the Capitol in a group to talk to your legislators.

At Orientation, we will describe how you can speak to your legislator, what to expect and how to say what you need to so that you get your views across. The staff of Fairness will distribute handouts with “talking points” for each of the focus issues.

If you would like to search for who your legislators are, please visit www.vote-smart.org. Enter your 9-digit zip code and it will reveal your house and senate legislators. Or you can simply call: 1-888-VOTE-SMART.

If you would like to attend Family Day at the Capitol, which is on a Thursday, please call our office and let us know at 404-681-5576. If needed, we can help you with the cost of travel to the Capitol. We look forward to a wonderful event this year!

Sincerely,
Monique, Althea, Shareef, and Sara
Staff of Fairness for Prisoners’ Families

To RSVP or for more information, please contact: 404/681-5576.