California's Criminal Justice System is Racist, Let's Fix That

California has enacted laws making discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations illegal. The criminal justice system should be next.

As a former public defender for over a decade, Assemblyman Ash Kalra had a front row seat to the role racism played in the California criminal justice system. After seeing it play out one time too many; he introduced the California Racial Justice Act, AB 2200 to correct what's broken in California criminal sentencing and convictions.

Kalra agreed with the CA governor, 'The criminal justice system is a racist system...that is perpetuating inequality.' "That statement stands true today as it did when I was a public defender."

According to Kalra, AB 2200 is designed to be "..a profound step forward in the fight to eliminate racial discrimination in our criminal justice system." If enacted, AB 200 will prohibit racial discrimination in convictions and sentencing.

It will also establish a process to challenge racial bias in trial and/or post conviction. According to Kalra, "The opposite is happening right now."

Assemblymember Mark Stone is co-sponsoring AB 2200. Stone is also is also advocating for passage of AB 2512, which would prohibit the execution of people with intellectual disabilities.

Please join JUST US DENIED in helping Kalra and Stone get these important bills into law. To stay up to date on these kinds of issues in northern CA , sign up for Everyday Justice at http://tinyurl.com/yyultcf9