Gerry C. Johnson

Leading US comms at @HRW. Formerly @ACLU, @ClintonFdn, WNET @PBS. Passionate about racial justice, storytelling & brunch. Thoughts are mine

[Ari Sawyer @AriMSawyer]

THREAD: Some Human rights context for xenophobic political theater at the US southern border today-

Both Trump and Biden called for more deadly deterrence and framed their remarks around border security rather than human security. A lose-lose for voters. https://t.co/Hh6PBwrroD

[bria leigh nelson @brialeighnelson]

It's heartbreaking to see how anti-LGBTQ+ laws are impacting those closest to me. On this #TransDayOfRemembrance, we honor the lives that have been lost and urge the U.S. Government to enact stronger protections for the trans community.

https://t.co/mYfu8l2jxp

[Samer Muscati @SamerMuscati]

It’s happening! #Toronto mayor @oliviachow joins @hrw & @gersteincrisis in releasing our case study for community-based mental health crisis response that does not resort to policing & forced treatment.

The mayor called the report “magnificent”: https://t.co/EZ2O787S9F

[The Black Wall Street Times @TheBWSTimes]

This weekend, people are celebrating 🥳 the 109th birthday 🎂 of Mother Randle 👵🏿. She is one of only ✌🏾two survivors of the Tulsa Race Massacre 🔥still living. And their unwavering fight for reparations could make history. 🙌🏾 #HappyBirthday #JusticeForGreenwood #BlackWallStreet

[Gerry C. Johnson @gerrychronicles]

More than a century after surviving the Tulsa Race Massacre, Mother Randle is still fighting, smiling, and embodying the courage that we all need right now. Happy 109th birthday to one of the most inspiring people that the reparations movement has ever known. ❤️

[Human Rights Watch @hrw]

Today, Lessie Randle turns 109! Lessie is one of the last two survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.

No one has ever been held accountable for the massacre, but a lawsuit seeking reparations could be the last opportunity for survivors to have their day in court.

[Ari Sawyer @AriMSawyer]

This #DayOfTheDead we honor the thousands of loved ones who have died crossing the US-Mexico border as the result of US deterrence policies that use a combination of punishment, violent infrastructure, and weaponized terrain to drive people to dangerous crossings. #DiaDeMuertos

[Trey @walktrey]

Sometimes it feels like there's little reason to hope. But here's a story I shared with @TheMessenger about teachers and workers protecting each other and resisting censorship in Florida. https://t.co/pVofkJpEoT

[Ari Sawyer @AriMSawyer]

.@NYCMayor Eric Adams is travelling to Latin America to “understand the flow of migrants” and discourage them from coming. We’ve reached out to him to share factual information about migration in the Americas. We hope he has time to talk to us. Here’s what we want to say:

[Bob Libal https://bsky.app/profile/blibal.bsky.soc @blibal]

My piece in @thehill is up.

As an immigrant rights advocate for 20 years, I have become somewhat steeled to systematic injustices.

What I saw on a recent trip to Eagle Pass to document Operation Lone Star for @hrw shook me like nothing in recent memory.

https://t.co/H4VbkAelkG

[Human Rights Watch @hrw]

On this #InternationalDayofDemocracy, we stand in solidarity with all who know that inclusive, multiracial democracy is the bedrock of every person’s human rights.

We will uncover facts, combat discrimination, and bolster democratic forces in defense of fundamental rights.

[Trey @walktrey]

Millions of US students return to classrooms this week. In 18 states they’ll be restricted from learning truthful Black history. In 34 states they won’t have access to foundational books that have been removed from shelves.

[Donovan Harris @donoharrtv]

This is heartbreaking news out of #Jacksonville. We must continue to call out and fight against racism. Black lives depend on it.

[Kimberlé Crenshaw @sandylocks]

The truth about one of the worst incidents of racial violence in US history was hidden for far too long— even from descendants of massacre survivors themselves. @AAPolicyForum remembers this day and stands with the Black Tulsa community in the fight for truth, justice and repair.

[Human Rights Watch @hrw]

In the span of about 24 hours between May 31 and June 1, 1921, a white mob descended on Greenwood, a successful black economic hub in Tulsa, Oklahoma, then-known as “Black Wall Street,” and burned it to the ground.

No one has ever been held responsible.

[Human Rights Watch @hrw]

US Rep. Cori Bush has introduced a resolution urging Congress to provide reparations to rectify ongoing harms resulting from enslavement.

What would these reparations look like? ⤵️

[Human Rights Watch @hrw]

Strangulation cannot be the price people pay in the US for being poor, unhoused, or living with psychosocial disabilities.

The death of Jordan Neely, and the callous response from many government officials, is a tragic reminder of how current policies are failing people in need.

[Gerry C. Johnson @gerrychronicles]

@KirkWrites79 😂😂

[Human Rights Watch @hrw]

Today, @hrw is proud to join the #YesOnULA coalition. Vote yes on Measure ULA to increase affordable housing and help keep low-income older people in their homes 🗳️.

Only millionaires and billionaires will pay the mansion tax but everyone benefits.

https://t.co/dWeiaPneQJ

[Laura Pitter @Laurapitter]

So called "CARE Court" will coerce people living on the streets who are perceived to have a mental illness into involuntary care. See op-ed today in @TheNation https://t.co/noJcU1OsYv

See also our latest @hrw letter opposing this dangerous proposal: https://t.co/rwtMX01ojL

[Cori Bush @CoriBush]

Breonna Taylor should be with her family today, celebrating her 29th birthday, but police violence took that away from her.

The system failed you, Breonna. We won’t forget. Rest In Power.