Justice & Democracy
The mass criminalization and incarceration of people of color dis-empowers millions of people, undermining the promise of a democracy that works for everyone. Common Cause is fighting back.
The United States’ system of mass incarceration—which disproportionately targets Black and brown people—threatens the core values of our democracy. Common Cause joined the fight to end this harmful system because of our longstanding commitments to holding power accountable, defending and strengthening voting and civil rights, and ensuring that our voices (not those of monied interests) matter most in our country.
Through our Justice & Democracy Initiative, we work on issues like prison gerrymandering, or the counting of incarcerated people as residents of the prison rather than their home districts, as well as felony disenfranchisement and the political spending of incarceration-adjacent entities.
What We’re Doing
Take Action
Petition
Sign the Petition: End Prison Gerrymandering Forever in RI
Every 10 years, we update our state’s district maps to account for population changes — and to ensure that no matter where we live, all Rhode Islanders are fairly represented in our government.
But there’s a major problem with how we conduct this count. Under our current rules, a person who is in the Adult Correctional Institutions on Census Day is counted as a resident of the prison — NOT as a resident of their hometown.
I believe that communities in Rhode Island should get the representation they deserve. Please...
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Events
In Person
2024 Champions of Democracy Celebration
Join us for our biggest event of the year, the Champions of Democracy Celebration and Annual Meeting. This year in addition to celebrating our awardees, we will have special remarks by new Common Cause national president Virginia Kase Solomón on the state of our democracy.
The Guild, 461 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860 US
5:30 pm – 8:00 pm EDT
Press
Press Release
New data reveals where people in Rhode Island prisons come from
Report shows every community is harmed by mass incarceration
John Marion
Executive Director
Common Cause Rhode Island