The League of Women Voters of New Castle County invites you to our monthly TED Discussion, held on third Saturdays via Zoom web conference.

The meeting format is to watch the TED Talk and then discuss the "Ideas Worth Sharing." Contact discussion moderator Kay Palmer for details.

February Topic - "How Jails Extort the Poor"

The extortion of the poor in our criminal justice system is not a new discussion. Delaware House Bill 244, (An Act to Amend Title 10, Title 11, Title 21, and Title 29 of the Delaware Code Relating to Fines, Fees, Costs, Assessments, and Restitution) is making its way through the legislative process as we speak.

The TEDx Talk for this month, “How Jails Extort the Poor,” highlights the shared concern of jailing people just because they are poor. Through examples from Ferguson, Missouri and his own experience, presenter Salil Dudani, repackages the realities that many people are faced with when they do not have the funds to cover the cost of an infraction such as a parking ticket. Many people finding themselves stuck in pre-trial detention longer than the time that would be served if they were convicted. However, Mr. Dudani, manages to weave in a sense of inspiration in this moving presentation.

Experiencing legal systems from two perspectives, Salil Dudani has firsthand experience with poverty jailing. From being detained himself in Washington D.C. on suspicion of ‘terrorist activity’ to his work as an investigator for civil rights lawyers who are challenging the current practices on poverty-jailing.

Join us on February 19th, 2022 at 10:00 am for this thought-provoking presentation. Please pre-register using the link provided above.