Blog – Alabama Appleseed

The State of Justice Blog

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.

Alabama prisons, Carla Crowder, Habitual Felony Offender Act, News

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…

Introducing Appleseed Legal Fellow Alex LaGanke

News

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…

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

News

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…

Appleseed Welcomes 2020 Class of Summer Interns

Intern

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,…

A 71-year old man finally walks free, after marijuana sent him away

Alabama prisons, Carla Crowder, Fair Schools, Safe Communities, Habitual Felony Offender Act, Marijuana reform

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…

Black Belt COVID-19 testing improves, but there is much more to do

Akiesha Anderson, Author, COVID-19, News

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…