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By Paul Rothschild (Leading with Conviction™ 2024 participant):
From September 12-14, the People’s Coalition for Safety and Freedom (PCSF) took bold action in Washington, D.C. Over 80 directly impacted leaders formed teams and met with more than 50 legislative offices to mark the anniversary of the passage of the 1994 Crime Bill. Our mission was clear: To introduce our vision for the future through the People’s Bill, a transformative proposal to repeal and replace the outdated law.
We asked members of Congress to:
The support was palpable. My team had promising meetings with the offices of Representatives Jonathan Jackson, Delia Ramirez, Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, Ilhan Omar, and Robin Kelly, hearing genuine interest in our audacious plans for change.
Among the attendees, there was a strong presence from JustLeadershipUSA, including two current 2024 Leading with Conviction participants — myself and Gregory Chambers — and at least two other graduates — Avalon Betts-Gaston (LwC 2022, pictured above) and Brittany Lovely (LwC 2022).
The week was more than just advocacy — it was a time for connection. We decompressed with food, friendship, and solidarity. We celebrated someone’s first birthday at home after years behind bars. We built lasting relationships with teams from across the country and reclaimed our agency, power, and self-worth. In those meetings, staffers saw us for who we are — experts in our own right — and engaged with genuine curiosity.
Want to be part of this movement? Urge President Biden to address the clemency backlog, and sign up for updates and action alerts.
BACKGROUND
30 Years Ago …
The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, also known as the ’94 Crime Bill, was spearheaded by then-senator Joe Biden and signed into law by President Bill Clinton.
The problems with this bill fall into 2 categories:
It’s time for a new vision of safety and policymaking.
Those most impacted by the criminal legal system are dreaming bigger and fighting for something better.
The People’s Coalition for Safety and Freedom is partnering with organizations across the nation to democratize the legislation writing process.
Through a series of surveys, political education, and People’s Movement Assemblies (PMAs), PCSF worked with those directly impacted by policing and incarceration to collectively draft a bill to replace the 1994 Crime Bill.
Watch this explainer video:
In our 10th anniversary year, JustLeadershipUSA’s work of educating, elevating, and empowering justice-impacted leaders continues and is growing even stronger!
This is going to be a very special time to look back on the past decade of JLUSA’s important work, the 1,600+ leaders we have helped get to the next level in their work, and even more importantly, we will look ahead to the next 10 years and beyond!
We can’t do this without you. We need your support to help us continue to do this work now and into the future. By making a donation in honor of JLUSA’s 10th anniversary year, you are saying to the amazing leaders in our network who represent the 70+ million Americans who have been directly impacted by the criminal legal system, “I see you, and I support you!”
Please give a one-time $100 gift or set up a recurring $10 monthly donation to celebrate JLUSA’s 10th anniversary year, and together we will build a fair and just U.S. Thank you!
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JUSTLEADERSHIPUSA, INC
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New York, NY 10087-3681
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P.O. Box 1730, New York, NY 10037
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© 2024 JustLeadershipUSA. All Rights Reserved.
JustLeadershipUSA is a non-partisan organization. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed belong solely to the individual author or speaker, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the organization.
Since 2014, JustLeadershipUSA has maintained our commitment to ensuring systems-impacted voices are at the forefront of the movement for criminal legal reform, empowering directly impacted leaders in over 45 states with the tools, resources, and connections to transform their work.
Your donation will provide crucial support for our leadership training programs, empowering future generations of leaders and propelling the work of JLUSA and our alumni as we continue to advocate and push reform on issues that matter the most in our communities.
In just 10 years, JLUSA and our network of leaders have worked to dismantle decades of harm caused by the criminal legal system.