Justice Demands Courage— Kat Sayally’s Vision for the 2026 Legislative Season
| | While we honor the twenty-year legacy of ProjectWHAT!, we are simultaneously navigating a legislative climate that demands more than just reflection—it demands a "Big Swing". | |
To understand how Community Works is moving from "Rights to Realities" in this unique political moment, we sat down with our Advocacy and Organizing Manager, Kat Sayally.
In the following conversation, Kat pulls back the curtain on the challenges in Sacramento, the power of relationship-based organizing, and the radical courage required to turn systemic critique into tangible freedom for our youth and families.
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We are thrilled to be joined by Katarina Sayally, our Advocacy and Organizing Manager and one of the newest members of the Community Works family. Kat, for our circle, would you mind introducing yourself?
"My name’s Katarina Sayally, or Kat. I use they and she pronouns, and I’m the Advocacy and Organizing Manager at Community Works West".
| You’ve been with us for about a year now. How has the onboarding been, and how are you settling? | "I started around March of last year—time flies when you’re having fun. It’s been really great to get to know the plethora of programs that CW runs. There’s a big breadth of work under 'justice demands humanity,' right?". | You’ve been spending significant time in Sacramento lately. Based on the rallies and hearings you’ve attended, what is the current climate like for restorative justice advocates? | |
"I’ve been going to the public safety hearings all legislative season. This is a unique climate. There are about ten times the ‘bad’ bills that we’re opposing as opposed to bills we’re supporting. Folks in Sacramento are very hesitant to take on big asks right now".
"Opponents are using folks' fears around school shootings and fentanyl to push really harmful policies that are particularly targeting our kids. In response, I appreciate the spaces to be in community with other advocates who are still doing the ‘big dreaming’—because that’s where freedom’s going to come from".
| Your title covers both ‘Advocacy’ and ‘Organizing.’ How do you define those roles, and how do you navigate the different political landscapes of Sacramento versus the Bay Area? | |
"I am focused and integrated in very different spaces. What happens in Sacramento is a whole different thing than what’s going on in San Francisco or Oakland. Organizing and base building is really relationship building. You can’t just invite someone to a meeting and they come or don't come and that's it; you have to spend time with people. It’s about one-on-ones".
| Is a major part of your role ensuring that our staff and our audience are all on the same page and ready to take collective action? | |
"I’m really passionate about making sure folks with lived experience are authentically engaged and equipped with the tools they need to take on any role—not just the role that’s assigned to them because of their experiences".
| In this polarized time, do you find your work getting harder, or are you finding new pockets of courage? | |
"Difficulty depends on where you stand. You know who has a lot of courage right now? Folks who would like to see youth tried as adults. But we actually do have people with a lot of power who want things to be different—they just don’t have the courage to say it right now".
| Are we providing these leaders with ‘big swings’ to take, or are we just trying to maintain friendly relationships? | |
"There comes a time when if someone doesn’t have the courage to take a position, then you can shame them. It can get icky, but it’s important. They have no choice but to be very clear about where they stand when that’s the optics".
| Looking at the 2026 legislative season, what is the ‘Big Swing’ Community Works is co-sponsoring? | |
"We are co-sponsoring AB 1922, the ‘Do No Harm Act.’ This bill would end the shackling of incarcerated patients in community hospitals. It would apply to folks in jail, state prison, and our young folks".
| Why is a bill like AB 1922 so critical at this specific moment? | |
"Just two weeks ago, we talked to someone who gave birth in shackles. Healthcare providers tell us this gets in the way of their Hippocratic oath. As they ask: 'How do I listen to your lungs if you're chained to a hospital bed?'".
| For those in our community who want to stay tapped into these issues without getting overwhelmed by the news, what do you suggest? | |
"Be careful where you’re getting your information from. The news can get you loving the enemy and hating the people you have more in common with. Tap in how you can; groups like Bay Rising have a good model".
| Finally, for those who aren’t currently checking for restorative justice or abolition, how do we make this relevant to them? | |
"The way you get it on people’s minds oftentimes is talking about the budget. San Francisco gave $100 million more to the sheriff's department this year.
Let’s break down that hundred million and show what it could have done for the schools instead".
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Recap— Follow, Support, and Remember
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Follow the "Big Dreaming": Stay tapped into the legislative season by following organizations like Bay Rising, which Kat recommends for grounded, reliable community information.
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Support AB 1922 (The Do No Harm Act): Help us advocate for the end of shackling incarcerated patients in community hospitals. This bill is a "big swing" toward restoring dignity to youth and adults receiving medical care.
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Remember the "Tactical Narrative": When talking to neighbors or local leaders, follow the money. Remember that budget transparency—like analyzing the $100 million increase to the SF Sheriff’s Department—is a powerful tool to show what our schools and communities are missing out on.
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Authentic Engagement: Support our mission to ensure that advocates with lived experience are not just "assigned a role" but are authentically equipped and empowered to lead in every space.
| | | | We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Kat Sayally for their time, expert insight, and the radical courage they bring to the frontlines of our advocacy work every single day. Kat’s vision reminds us that while the "Sacramento Status Quo" may feel immovable, our shared commitment to ** fellowship and communication** is exactly what turns "big dreaming" into tangible freedom. | | | | Double Your Impact—Use our Double the Donation feature to see if your employer will match your gift. | -
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