Both EXPO and Mr. Dillard had the opportunity to take part in the Black Lives Matter protests happening in Kenosha. Speaking about the BLMmovement as a whole, he says “I feel that it’s a crucial time in our nation with all who have been speaking out about Black Equality. The criminal justice system has long been used to disrupt families. To ostracize individuals with criminal convictions... it lines up with what we’re doing because of the racial disparities within our criminal justice system, especially here in Wisconsin, where we make up eight percent of the population but still are 40 percent of the prison population, which has been for a very long time. Wisconsin is rated one of the highest per capita incarceration rates of African-Americans in the country.” Mr. Dillard went on to speak about the disparities
in educational opportunities and equality throughout the state, advocating for now to be a time of change. Mr. Dillard is quick to point out that the fight for prison and sentence reform is not a battle for men alone. EXPO formed FREE to address the unique issues of women who have experienced incarceration. He notes “Women are the fastest growing population right now in our criminal justice system. So what we did was started what we call the FREE campaign, a female wing of our team of experts statewide. We have hired several women to be organizers and advocates on behalf of women in the state who have been impacted by the criminal injustice system. We use criminal injustice because there’s no justice there.”
“I feel that it’s a crucial time in our nation with all who have been speaking out about Black Equality.” - Jerome Dillard
Those interested in learning more about the cause can catch Dillard on the radio. EXPO Radio show Highlights the issues and the work being done by EXPO around the state. Guests range from political experts to EXPO members. The show runs weekly and can be heard on Riverwest Radio, found on the internet, or caught on EXPO hour on WORT 89.9fmMadison every 4th Wednesday of month. Send letter for involvement to: EXPO of Wisconsin PO BOX 259654 Madison, WI 53725, or visit them online at expowisconsin.org
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