It is always sad to lose allies and friends of civil rights and civil liberties, but Colorado experienced a particularly great loss recently with the death of the Rev. Tammy Garrett-Williams. A fierce champion for the rights of people caught in the criminal justice system, her Above Waters Project has been deeply rooted in the lives of people directly impacted by mass incarceration and the criminal legal system. Her activism was widely visible across the community, from the NAACP to the Greater Metro Denver Ministerial Alliance, and just about every local rally for justice imaginable in recent years.
Rev. Garrett-Williams was an example of what one dedicated person can do, and her work and its impact will be felt for years to come. She was a strong leader and ally in criminal justice reform, and the legislation that has passed or is moving through the legislature now on bail reform, police accountability, transparency, jail data and more, is a fitting though far from complete tribute to her life.
While there is still a long journey ahead to dismantle our systems of mass incarceration and the harms to people that result, Rev. Tammy Garrett-Williams helped move us forward on that journey and closer toward a more just and fair system for all. The ACLU of Colorado mourns her loss deeply.
 

We at the ACLU of Colorado would like to honor long-time ACLU supporter and former leader of the ACLU Colorado Springs Chapter, William R. "Bill" Hochman who passed away in Colorado Springs at 97 years of age on March 23, 2019.
Bill had a passion for teaching American history and the classics. He loved teaching about the Bill of Rights, civil liberties, and constitutional principles. A long-time teacher and organizer of Colorado College's Freedom and Authority program, he also founded a program on war and peace studies and was a frequent speaker at local civic and bar association gatherings.
He won numerous prizes for his teaching and service to the Colorado College. A former student honored Bill by establishing the William R. Hochman Endowed Professorship of History. Bill was still giving guest lectures at Colorado College this fall and just weeks before his death, he spoke to a packed seminar sponsored by the Colorado Springs World Affairs Council. His talk, like so many others, earned him a standing ovation.
In lieu of flowers, and in honor of one of Bill's favorite pastimes, donations can be made in Bill's memory to the Intramural Sports fund at Colorado College. Gifts can be made at www.coloradocollege.edu/give or mailed to Colorado College, P.O. Box 1117, Colorado Springs, CO 80901. Please reference "IM Sports" with your gift.