As we approach the end of 2024, we’re reflecting on a year shaped by both progress and profound loss. One of the hardest moments for us was the passing of our beloved HR Director, Allyson Fredricksen. Her kindness, wisdom, and steady presence were a gift to our organization, and her absence has been deeply felt. Take a moment to read this heartfelt and beautiful blog post that our Executive Director, Merf Ehman, wrote in her honor.
Grief has a vast impact and changes us. Through this loss, we hope to become better partners to the communities we work alongside – those who daily bear the weight of systemic injustice, loss and grief.
Thank you for being a part of our journey, and the ways you’ve helped us make it through this year. As we share our top seven moments of 2024, we carry Allyson’s memory with us, celebrating the progress we’ve made together while holding space for the challenges that remain.
Exposing Exploitation in Washington Prisons
Our latest report, Overcharged, reveals how incarcerated individuals earn as little as 6% of minimum wage, losing much of it to mandatory fees, while struggling to afford basic necessities.
Legislative Win! Improving Farmworker Data Collection
We helped pass HB222, allowing better farmworker wage data collection. As the H-2A agricultural visa program grows, this is a critical step toward reducing wage depression and protecting workers.
Protecting Young People from Unlawful Transfers to Adult Prisons
We fought to reverse the unlawful transfer of 43 youth to adult prisons without due process, in violation of state law and a settlement agreement.
Celebrating Community and Creativity
Thank you for making Imagine Justice Week unforgettable! From our Seattle Open House to the inspiring Youth Art Contest and impactful videos, your support brought our vision of a just world to life.
Victory! Higher Wages for Washington Farmworkers
A federal judge ruled that the Department of Labor must reinstate higher piece-rate wages for Washington’s fruit and berry harvests, benefiting thousands of farmworkers. This decision ensures fair pay and better protections for local workers amid the growing use of the H-2A visa program.
Highlighting Inequities in Juvenile Justice Records
We contributed to a new report exposing how the state’s weak protections for juvenile records undermine rehabilitation and perpetuate systemic inequities. CLS staff attorney Xaxira Velasco Ponce de León is quoted in the report, advocating for reforms to help youth move forward without facing lifelong consequences.
Standing Up to Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric: Leaving X (Twitter)
We have joined Bluesky and are canceling our X account. We urge others to join us in prioritizing platforms aligned with equity and justice.
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