ACTION ALERT - Governor Newsom Needs to Hear From You on Racial Justice For All Act
Governor has until just next week to sign AB256 or he'll veto it.
The California Racial Justice Act (AB2542) was a first-of-its-kind law in the state prohibiting the use of race, ethnicity, or national origin in sentencing and convictions. The act was passed in 2020, but supporters and advocates vowed to bring it back to the California Legislature to ensure the protections in the law were made retroactive. Far too many Californians have had their convictions and sentences upheld despite:
- Blatantly racist statements by attorneys, judges, jurors and expert witnesses
- The exclusion of all, or nearly all Black or Latinx people from serving on a jury
- Stark statistical evidence showing systemic bias in charging and sentencing
If prohibiting racism in our courts and providing a person a means to remedy racial bias in their case is the right thing to do, it is the right thing to do for everyone. Those with prior, racially biased convictions and sentences deserve equal justice under the law and have waited long enough. Additionally, providing a mechanism for retroactive relief will allow the state to realize significant court and correctional savings.
This legislative year, The Racial Justice for All Act (AB256), sponsored by Assemblymember Ash Kalra (District 17) passed both houses of the California State Legislature and awaits a signature from California Governor Gavin Newsom. AB256 provides the protections of the 2020 California Racial Justice Act retroactively so that racism in the courts can be confronted and addressed not only in the future, but for Black & Brown people languishing in jails & prisons right now.
Justice delayed is justice denied, Governor. Californians need to see Governor Newsom's signature on AB256 to ensure California's commitment to eliminating the use of race, ethnicity or national origin in seeking or obtaining convictions or sentences. We are watching and we are waiting.
To view and use a social media amplification toolkit to compel Governor Newsom's signature, please visit
this link (opens in Google Docs).
