The ACLU of Arizona will host a virtual roundtable "Confined During a Pandemic: Public Health is Public Safety" featuring state and community leaders. The panel of speakers will speak on how COVID-19 has intensified the need to address the mass incarceration crisis in Arizona.
The virtual event takes place Wednesday, June 17 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Registration can be accessed here.
The event will feature the following moderator and panelists.
Moderator: Dr. Jannah Scott
Minister of the Gospel, Strategist, Planner, Advisor, Author, Public Policy Expert—Dr. Jannah Scott has served in many capacities with faith, government, business and the nonprofit community, including serving in President Obama's administration and advising former Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano.
Panelist: Grant Woods
Grant Woods is one of Arizona’s premier attorneys and enjoys a superior reputation as a trial lawyer and negotiator. He has a successful government relations practice that includes Apollo/University of Phoenix, Arizona Coyotes, CenturyLink, Diamond Resorts International, Tresona Multimedia, LLC, TriVita, Inc., and Government Brands, LLC. He served as Arizona’s Attorney General from 1991-1999.
Panelist: Joel Feinman
Joel Feinman was born in Tucson. He joined the Pima County Public Defender's Office as a felony trial attorney in 2007, and in May 2017 the Board of Supervisors appointed him Chief Public Defender for Pima County. Joel has previously served as Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Planned Parenthood Arizona, and currently serves as 2nd Vice Chair of the Pima County Democratic Party.
Panelist: State Rep. Athena Salman
State Representative Athena Salman is born and raised in Arizona to an immigrant family from Mexico, Germany and Palestine. Her early gratification for the rights we often take for granted inspires her defense of those most vulnerable including forcing prisons to supply hygiene products to incarcerated women, standing with educators during #RedForEd, and fighting for the health and safety of frontline workers and our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Panelist: Pinal County Attorney Kent Volkmer
Pinal County Attorney, Mr. Kent Volkmer, strives to treat people with fairness, dignity, and respect. He was sworn in at a public ceremony on January 3, 2017. Upon stepping into his role as county attorney, Mr. Volkmer’s goal has been to create a system of individualized justice. Mr. Vo
lkmer wants county prosecutors to look at each case on its individual merits and seek a penalty that fits each individual crime.
Panelist: Phoenix City Councilmember Carlos Garcia
Carlos Garcia is the Phoenix City Councilmember representing District 8.
Panelist: Khalil Rushdan
Khalil Rushdan is the Smart Justice Community Partnership Coordinator for the ACLU of Arizona. Khalil served 15 years before his conviction for Felony Murder was overturned for vindictive prosecution. Since his exoneration, Khalil has been an advocate and a mentor for formerly incarcerated Arizonians. In his new role at the ACLU Khalil will create partnerships with the leaders of targeted community groups with a special emphasis on organizations that work directly with those directly impacted by the criminal justice system and communities traditionally not involved in criminal justice work.
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