PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 24, 2022
For Information:
Ryan Leong, 808.392.7455
rleong@acluhawaii.org
ACLU OF HAWAI‘I HIRES ANSLEY CALANDRA AS NEW FIELD ORGANIZER
Honolulu, Hawai‘i: The ACLU of Hawai‘i is pleased to announce the addition of Ansley Calandra to our team. Her position will help the ACLU of Hawai‘i further build its reach in order to better protect and advance civil rights for all the people of Hawai‘i.
Raised in North Carolina, Ansley got involved in field organizing because she dreamed of a world without social, political, and economic oppression – a world in which we are all free. She believes that when everyday people build power by coming together and demanding change, collective liberation becomes within our reach. She strives to bring an evidence-based approach to organizing and is passionate about utilizing political psychology tools in her work.
On joining the ACLU of Hawai‘i team, Ansley Calandra said: "Taking valued loved ones from our community and locking them up does not keep us safe, but instead perpetuates cycles of trauma, poverty, and violence. Hawai‘i imprisons far too many people, and it's long past time that we divest from cages and invest in social services that allow all of us to thrive. I couldn't be more thrilled to join the ACLU of Hawai'i in its efforts to decarcerate our society and move us towards a more fair and effective system of public safety."
Ansley graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a degree in Psychology and in Philosophy. Before joining the ACLU of Hawai‘i, Ansley served as a Field Organizer on Congresswoman Cori Bush’s insurgent grassroots campaign in Missouri’s First District.
Executive Director Joshua Wisch said, “For our work on Smart Justice, Reimagining Policing, and Decriminalizing Poverty, a critical component is lifting up and amplifying the voices of people in the community. We’re excited to have Ansley on board to bring her passion and experience in grassroots community organizing to the work we’re doing here, and we know she’s going to continue to increase our impact as we do our best to serve the people of Hawai‘i.”
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The mission of the Hawai‘i affiliate of the ACLU is to protect the civil liberties contained in the state and federal constitutions through litigation, legislative and public education programs statewide. The ACLU is funded primarily through private donations and offers its services at no cost to the public. The ACLU does not accept any government funds.