Last week, we reached out with an urgent request to support AB 256, the Racial Justice Act for All. Thanks to an outpouring of support from grassroots advocates like you, we are so close to passing this bill out of the Assembly. But we still need your help to ensure AB 256 survives. The bill could come up for a vote on the Assembly floor at any moment – will you take action today?

We made history last year by passing the Racial Justice Act to combat discrimination in our courts based on race, ethnicity, or national origin. However, this law does not go far enough. Right now, people with criminal convictions from before January 1, 2021 are not covered. It is time that we confront racism, no matter how long ago it happened. 

The new Racial Justice Act for All will extend the Racial Justice Act protections to those who have already been harmed by unjust convictions and sentences. Those with prior, racially-biased convictions and sentences deserve equal justice under the law and have waited long enough for relief. Take action and tell your Assemblymember to vote YES on the Racial Justice Act for All.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Doute, CAE 
Executive Director, LWVC

Last year, we successfully passed the Racial Justice Act to combat discrimination based on race, ethnicity, or national origin in criminal sentences and convictions. Now we need your help to extend the Racial Justice Act to ensure that it protects all Californians. The bill has passed through all Assembly committees and now faces a critical vote of the full Assembly. Act now to urge your Assemblymember to vote YES on the California Racial Justice Act for All (AB 256, Kalra).

The Racial Justice Act was the first step toward eliminating racism in our criminal justice system, but it does not go far enough. Right now, people with criminal convictions from before January 1, 2021 are not covered. The new Racial Justice Act for All will extend the Racial Justice Act protections to those who have already been harmed by unjust convictions and sentences. We need your help to pass this bill and ensure equal access to the law for everyone.

We know all too well that racism and discrimination are nothing new. Those with prior, racially-biased convictions and sentences deserve equal justice under the law and have waited long enough for relief. We cannot let anyone suffer a moment longer from unfair treatment by the courts. The Racial Justice Act for All is up for a crucial vote on the Assembly floor – tell your Assemblymember to vote YES on the Racial Justice Act for All.

Sincerely,

Carol Moon Goldberg
President, LWVC

P.S. Want to do more to support the Racial Justice Act for All? Use the #RJA4All Messaging Toolkit to spread the word.