Bio
Kanya Bennett is a former senior legislative counsel with the American Civil Liberties Union, serving from 2014 to 2020. In this capacity, Kanya advanced criminal justice reform at the federal level.
Prior to joining the ACLU, Kanya spent over three years at the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy as the Director of Policy Development and Programming where she focused on civil and criminal justice issues. Kanya also served as Counsel to the House Judiciary Committee for over eight years and completed a fellowship at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation immediately following her graduation from law school. She holds an undergraduate degree in journalism from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and earned her law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Featured work
Jul 19, 2017
Jeff Sessions Is Aiding and Abetting Police Departments Who Want to Seize Property of People Convicted of No Crime
May 12, 2017
The Trump Administration’s ‘Law and Order’ Propaganda Is Starting to Contaminate Congress
Mar 30, 2017
Despite President Trump’s Support for Legalized Theft, Congress Presses on With Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform
Feb 14, 2017
It’s Time for Members of Congress to Show Up and Stand Up for Standing Rock
Sep 20, 2016
California Is a Governor’s Signature Away From Reining in Policing for Profit. The Federal Government and Other States Should Follow Its Lead.
Jul 14, 2016
Congress: Enjoy Your Recess, But Here Are Six Police Reform Bills You Must Pass In September
May 18, 2016
One Year Later: We Still Don’t Know How Many Shot by Police
Aug 7, 2015
365 Days and 605 Armored Military Vehicles Later: Police Militarization a Year After Ferguson
Apr 20, 2015
There is Bipartisan Agreement on the ‘Uncivility’ of Civil Asset Forfeiture
Apr 1, 2015
Over 100 People Were Killed by Police in March. Have Police Gotten the Post-Ferguson Memo Yet?