ATLANTA, GEORGIA— This year, the Southern Center for Human Rights (SCHR) marks an extraordinary milestone: fifty years fighting for equality, dignity, and justice for people impacted by the criminal legal system in the Deep South. Founded in 1976, as the Southern Prisoners Defense Committee, SCHR has led the fight for transformational changes to the criminal legal system, securing many legal and policy victories. SCHR has argued and won five death penalty cases at the U.S. Supreme Court; helped advocate for the creation of Georgia’s statewide public defender system; and forced county, state, and federal governments to make significant improvements in prison and jail conditions across the South. SCHR continues to lead multifaceted advocacy campaigns to support communities of color, people living in poverty, and other system-impacted community members. To celebrate this moment, we’re bringing together advocates, partners, supporters, and community members for a Golden Jubilee Weekend in Atlanta.

SCHR is an incubator for some of the world’s greatest justice champions, like Bryan Stevenson, Executive Director of Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), author of Just Mercy, and former SCHR attorney who said, “As a young attorney, my understanding of the law and social justice work was shaped by the lawyers and staff at SCHR.  My time at SCHR helped me understand the deep commitment necessary to save our clients’ lives and the constant struggle required to overcome inequality and injustice in our nation.”

From April 30 through May 2, we’ll gather for a full weekend of events:

• Welcome Reception | April 30 | SCHR Office
  • An opportunity to visit SCHR’s office for light refreshments and brief remarks about the power of 50 years, including an art display with original pieces by SCHR’s clients.
• Decriminalizing Race and Poverty Symposium | May 1 | GSU College of Law
  • Featuring keynote speakers Stephen B. Bright, law professor, celebrated civil rights attorney, former director of SCHR, and co-author of The Fear of Too Much Justice: Race, Poverty, and the Persistence of Inequality in the Criminal Courts; Isabel Wilkerson, Pulitzer Prize winner and author of the critically-acclaimed bestsellers The Warmth of Other Suns and Caste; and SCHR leaders Terrica Ganzy, Atteeyah Hollie, Patrick Mulvaney, and Tiffany Roberts. Topics include challenges to justice and innovative solutions to address the intersection of race and poverty within the criminal legal system.
• Justice Taking Root | May 1 | The Foundry at Puritan Mill
  • Justice Taking Root is SCHR’s annual Georgia benefit. Join us for drinks, dinner, a live auction, dancing and entertainment by I LOVE THIS BAND, as we celebrate 50 years of impact and raise much-needed funds to support SCHR’s mission. Individual tickets to Justice Taking Root are $250.00 per person. Sponsorships begin at $1,000 (for 2 tickets).
• Golden Jubilee Festival | May 2 | Magnolia Hall at Piedmont Park
  • The weekend will culminate in a joyous reunion full of food, games, and activities at the historic Piedmont Park. Performances include a live set from DJ Wally Sparks, a special “salsa as self-care” experience led by Anana Harris Parris, founder of Self Care Agency, and music by Cubana Song and Music in Common. All are welcome for a day for justice advocates to come together in community, reflect, and build joyful connection. Tickets start at just $25 (free for children).

“For 50 years, SCHR has fought alongside communities across the Deep South, challenging injustice and working toward a world free of mass incarceration, the death penalty, the criminalization of poverty, and racial injustice,” said SCHR Executive Director, Terrica Redfield Ganzy. “Our golden jubilee weekend is a chance to come together, reflect on that legacy, and be in community with the people who continue to move this work forward.”

“The Southern Center for Human Rights is a national leader in the criminal justice reform movement, transforming lives and advancing justice with courage and compassion. Marking the Southern Center’s milestone anniversary at this jubilee weekend celebrates an extraordinary legacy of progress and brings us together to build an even stronger future for fairness and equal justice for all,” said Michelle Drake, SCHR Board Chair and former SCHR intern.

Justice Taking Root and the Golden Jubilee Weekend are supported by the generosity of our community, with special thanks to our Visionary Sponsor, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, and Catalyst of Change Sponsor, Heising-Simons Foundation.

For ticket or sponsorship information, please visit www.goldenjubilee.schr.org or contact Kate McNeely at 404-688-1202 or [email protected]. Members of the press are offered complimentary admission to events – simply RSVP.