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Reposted by Civil Rights Corps

ifwhenhow @ifwhenhow.bsky.social · 1d

Maryland families deserve support, not punishment.

Proud to join 19 other orgs on an amicus brief in solidarity with Mrs. C: bit.ly/amicus-maryland

RSVP for an upcoming convening led by systems-impacted organizers to confront the harms of Baltimore’s family policing system: bit.ly/cradle-to-cage

Civil Rights Corps @civrightscorps.bsky.social · 1d

In Maryland, a law that was meant to keep birthing people and newborns safe has now been used to create the ultimate parent trap.

The Safe Haven Law promised protection – but Baltimore’s family police punished a mama anyway. 🧵

MARYLAND’S PARENT TRAP:

Maryland’s Safe Haven Law promised protection. Baltimore’s family police punished a mama anyway.

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Civil Rights Corps @civrightscorps.bsky.social · 1d

Ms. C's case is being litigated by the Maryland Office of the Public Defender (OPD). Read more about it here:

Maryland’s Parent Trap: Baltimore Mother Punished After Using Safe Haven Law Designed to Protect Her - Civil Rights Corps

Civil Rights Organizations and Leaders File Amicus Brief Defending Parents’ Right to Access the Safe Haven Law Without Liability

civilrightscorps.org

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Civil Rights Corps @civrightscorps.bsky.social · 1d

Maryland families deserve support, not punishment.

RSVP for Cradle to Cage, Seeds of Hope, a convening led by systems-impacted organizers to confront the harms of Baltimore’s family policing system. 11/

CCSH Website

bit.ly

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Civil Rights Corps @civrightscorps.bsky.social · 1d

..Using MD's safe haven law as a basis for a neglect finding will endanger maternal & infant health, especially for Black birthing people who already experience worse maternal health outcomes. No one should fear legal consequences for seeking help or seeking care.” -Dr. Jamila Perritt, @prh.org 10/

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Civil Rights Corps @civrightscorps.bsky.social · 1d

Physicians and organizations advancing reproductive justice have filed additional amicus briefs in support of the petition.

"Safe haven laws, while imperfect, are one of the few pieces of social infrastructure in place to support postpartum persons and their newborns...

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Civil Rights Corps @civrightscorps.bsky.social · 1d

Tying Maryland’s Safe Haven Law to family policing puts already marginalized families at greater risk of harm.

"In recent years, the rate of Black children entering the foster system in Maryland was over two times the rate of white children." - Miriam Mack, @movfamilypower.bsky.social 8/

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Civil Rights Corps @civrightscorps.bsky.social · 1d

“Fear of a [family policing case] will deter parents from using Safe Havens, putting the health of postpartum people and infants back at heightened risk—the exact harm the law was meant to prevent.” - Adina Marx-Arpadi, @ccrjustice.org 7/

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Civil Rights Corps @civrightscorps.bsky.social · 1d

Ms. C appealed her case, but the Appellate Court of Maryland upheld the neglect finding. Now, Ms C. is petitioning the Maryland Supreme Court to intervene. CRC, @movfamilypower.bsky.social, @ccrjustice.org, and 16 other orgs & movement leaders filed an amicus brief in support of Ms. C's petition. 6/

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Civil Rights Corps @civrightscorps.bsky.social · 1d

“By breaking the promise of immunity from civil and criminal liability, Maryland courts have created a no-win situation where parents are punished no matter what they do. It’s the perfect parent trap.” - Alexa Richardson, Civil Rights Corps 5/

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Civil Rights Corps @civrightscorps.bsky.social · 1d

Ms. C should have been protected – but still, the family police punished her.

“The Safe Haven Law was supposedly made to help parents and children. I trusted it and then they penalized me when I tried to use it.” - Ms. C. 4/

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Civil Rights Corps @civrightscorps.bsky.social · 1d

In 2024, Ms. C turned to Maryland’s Safe Haven Law for help after giving birth to twins.

Believing she did not have the resources to continue parenting her babies, Ms. C did exactly what the law promised she could: she left her healthy, unharmed, newborn babies in the care of a hospital. 3/

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Civil Rights Corps @civrightscorps.bsky.social · 1d

Safe haven laws were created to protect the health of birthing people & infants during the vulnerable postpartum period. These laws allow postpartum people to legally & anonymously leave newborns at a “safe haven”– like a hospital – without fear of criminal or civil punishment. 2/

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Civil Rights Corps @civrightscorps.bsky.social · 1d

In Maryland, a law that was meant to keep birthing people and newborns safe has now been used to create the ultimate parent trap.

The Safe Haven Law promised protection – but Baltimore’s family police punished a mama anyway. 🧵

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Civil Rights Corps @civrightscorps.bsky.social · 9d

📣 WE'RE HIRING: Investigative Fellows

🗓️ Start date: Summer 2026
🗓️ Application deadline: Rolling with priority for applications submitted before October 29, 2025

🔗 Learn more about the position: civilrightscorps.org/investigativ...

We're hiring: Investigative Fellows - Summer 2026

Investigative Fellows work collaboratively with case teams in support of complex civil rights litigation in federal and state courts. Their work varies and pulls on the skills of an investigator and paralegal, and will often involve working closely with and supporting local organizers and their campaigns. They are a crucial part of our impact litigation and advocacy challenging mass human caging and other injustices within the criminal legal system. This is an entry-level two-year position at CRC.

Deadline: Rolling with priority for applications submitted before October 29, 2025

Learn more on our website: civilrightscorps.org/join-our-team

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Civil Rights Corps @civrightscorps.bsky.social · Aug 27

We're looking for Summer 2026 Litigation Interns! Learn more about the internship and find out how to apply here: civilrightscorps.org/summer-2026-litigation-interns-2l/

We're Hiring: Summer 2026 Litigation Interns (2L)
Summer interns will have a unique opportunity to work on cutting-edge civil rights cases in a fast-paced environment. Interns will work closely with Civil Rights Corps staff to investigate and challenge systemic injustice in the criminal legal system.

Deadline: Rolling with priority for applications submitted before September 8, 2025

Learn more on our website:
civilrightscorps.org/join-our-team

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Reposted by Civil Rights Corps

alec karakatsanis @equalityalec.bsky.social · Aug 26

We are @civrightscorps.bsky.social have pioneered landmark constitutional challenges to the unsafe and unjust cash bail system for a decade. Our work saves lives, protects liberty, and is more important than ever.

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Reposted by Civil Rights Corps

irina cerić @irinaceric.bsky.social · Aug 26

Toronto! Join the Community Justice Collective on Sept 18th for a conversation about Copaganda with @equalityalec.bsky.social, lawyer, author, and founder of @civrightscorps.bsky.social
Tickets and more info here: www.eventbrite.ca/e/copaganda-...

White text on a blue background reading:
copaganda
how police and the media manipulate our news

a discussion with Alec Karakatsanis
September 18, 2025, 6-9pm

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Civil Rights Corps @civrightscorps.bsky.social · Aug 5

Join us Aug 20th for a discussion on how we can breakthrough the noise and reclaim the media narrative around the child welfare system!

🗓️ Aug 20th
⏰ 6-7:30 PM
📍424 S Pulaski St, Baltimore

🔗 RSVP here: bit.ly/mediawrkshp

Breaking through the Noise:
Telling Our Stories about Family & Safety
How can we reclaim the media narrative around the child welfare system, and discuss real safety options for families?

Featuring:
Alexis Taylor, Managing Editor, AFRO News
Natasha Khalfani, Senior Attorney, MD Office of the Public Defender, Better Together Program
Sam Collins, Staff Writer, Washington Informer

Event details:
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
6:00 - 7:30 PM
The Food Project, 424 S Pulaski St, Baltimore, MD 21223

RSVP: bit.ly/mediawrkshp

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Civil Rights Corps @civrightscorps.bsky.social · Jul 17

Learn more about our current and former artists- and poets-in-residence here: civilrightscorps.org/artists-in-residence

Artists-in-Residence - Civil Rights Corps

civilrightscorps.org

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Civil Rights Corps @civrightscorps.bsky.social · Jul 17

William is a Playwright-Poet-Orator-Emcee who wields his pen for the purpose of reclaiming his agency, by giving voice to the lives and to the plights of African Americans and other marginalized people of color, while achieving catharsis through self-expression.

Introducing William Anderson, Poet-in-Residence

William is a Playwright-Poet-Orator-Emcee who wields his pen for the purpose of reclaiming his agency, by giving voice to the lives and to the plights of African Americans and other marginalized people of color, while achieving catharsis through self-expression. He is currently serving a 27-to-life sentence in an Ohio Correctional Facility and uses his time to create and to implement programming he and his comrades need for personal growth and development beyond incarceration.

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Civil Rights Corps @civrightscorps.bsky.social · Jul 17

Kenneth is a multidisciplinary artist, entrepreneur, and cultural architect whose work bridges visual art, movement, and conceptual storytelling. His art is deeply influenced by personal and collective histories, centering themes of resilience, identity, and transformation.

Introducing Kenneth W. Webb, Artist-in-Residence
Kenneth is a multidisciplinary artist, entrepreneur, and cultural architect whose work bridges visual art, movement, and conceptual storytelling. Rooted in an expansive creative practice, Webb challenges dominant narratives and reimagines systems of power through painting, performance, and community-based initiatives. His art is deeply influenced by personal and collective histories, centering themes of resilience, identity, and transformation.

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Civil Rights Corps @civrightscorps.bsky.social · Jul 17

April is a dedicated community activist based in Philadelphia, committed to supporting families affected by harmful systems. She has a deep passion for writing and has performed her poetry on numerous stages throughout Philadelphia and beyond.

introducing April Lee, Poet-in-residence

April Lee is a dedicated community activist based in Philadelphia, committed to supporting families affected by harmful systems, including the child welfare (family policing) system, the carceral system, and other structures that negatively impact her community.

Beyond her activism, she has a deep passion for writing and has performed her poetry on numerous stages throughout Philadelphia and beyond.

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Civil Rights Corps @civrightscorps.bsky.social · Jul 17

Meet our 2025 Artists-in-residence 👉🏽 April Lee, Kenneth Webb, and William Anderson!

Meet our 2025 Artists-in-residence
April Lee
Kenneth Webb
William Anderson

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Reposted by Civil Rights Corps

Civil Rights Corps @civrightscorps.bsky.social · Jul 10

Civil Rights Corps is hiring an externally funded legal fellow to start in Fall 2025. Learn more here 👉🏽 civilrightscorps.org/externally-funded-legal-fellow-fall-2025/

We’re hiring!

Externally funded legal fellow
Civil Rights Corps seeks a law school graduate or licensed attorney to sponsor as an externally funded Legal Fellow, beginning in Fall 2025. Once selected, CRC will work closely with the candidate to submit project proposals to funding organizations that are able to evaluate fellowship applications on an expedited basis.

Deadline: Rolling with priority for applications submitted before July 21, 2025

LEARN MORE ON OUR WEBSITE:
civilrightscorps.org/join-our-team

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Civil Rights Corps @civrightscorps.bsky.social · Jul 10

Civil Rights Corps is hiring an externally funded legal fellow to start in Fall 2025. Learn more here 👉🏽 civilrightscorps.org/externally-funded-legal-fellow-fall-2025/

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