An engaged and near-capacity group of about 75 people gathered at the C. Burr Artz Community Room on Sunday, March 29, to watch a video of author Michelle Alexander talking about how she came to write The New Jim Crow and to discuss our response to her presentation. Participants came from Frederick Friends Meeting, at least six other faith communities in Frederick, and several other Maryland Friends Meetings. Community leaders and the Frederick City Police department were also represented.

After we watched the video, Katie Bliss led the group in discussion. We shared responses in small groups and with the group as a whole and chose to stand by posters with quotations from the video in order to discuss our response to that particular quotation.

Participants wanted to know what action we could take to address the issues raised. Pat Schenck, from the Maryland Alliance for Justice Reform, described the progress of legislation advocated by that group in this year’s legislative session. Many of those present signed up to get email updates about supporting legislation this year and in the future. Other participants described local community opportunities to share concerns and take action.