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Coalition Launches Against the Runner Initiative
OAKLAND – Notable elected officials, unions, and civil rights organizations have joined forces in opposition to a proposed California ballot initiative that would pump billions of dollars into prisons and failed "anti-gang" laws and policies. The Coalition to Defeat George Runner's Initiative will hold a press conference May 7th, 2008 in Sacramento, CA announcing the formation of the new coalition, which includes the California Federation of Teachers, California Church IMPACT, The California NAACP, and The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights. The Press Conference coincides with other coordinated events taking place throughout the state (Sacramento, Los Angeles, Fresno) in a coordinated Coalition Day of Action.
State-Wide Coalition To Be Announced In Opposition to Costly Ballot Initiative
OAKLAND – Notable elected officials, unions, and civil rights organizations have joined forces in opposition to a proposed California ballot initiative that would pump billions of dollars into prisons and failed "anti-gang" laws and policies. The Coalition to Defeat George Runner's Initiative will hold a press conference May 7th, 2008 in Sacramento, CA announcing the formation of the new coalition, which includes the California Federation of Teachers, California Church IMPACT, The California NAACP, and The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights. The Press Conference coincides with other coordinated events taking place throughout the state (Sacramento, Los Angeles, Fresno) in a coordinated Coalition Day of Action.
The Criminal Penalties and Laws State Spending Statute, a potential November ballot initiative introduced by State Senator George Runner, would bankrupt the state by directing billions of dollars to fund prisons, probation, and police in the midst of a budget crisis that has caused drastic cuts to education and health care. This potential statewide ballot proposal, also known as the "Runner Initiative" or "Safe Neighborhoods Act," is a far reaching-measure that stiffens criminal penalties and introduces laws reminiscent of failed polices of the past that did not increase public safety, but instead substantially increased California's prison population and wasted California tax dollars.
"The Runner Initiative's name on the November ballot is as misleading as what it proposes to do for our community. The so-called "Safe Neighborhoods Act" will not lead to safer streets, less crime or a reduction in drug dealing in our community," said United States Congresswoman Barbara Lee. "The Runner Initiative doesn't address the core problems or create real solutions. In light of the current California budget crisis, we cannot afford to irresponsibly spend even more California tax-dollars on a failed policy of only funding prisons and criminalizing youth."
Jakada Imani, Executive Director of The Ella Baker Center For Human Rights, adds, "George Runner isn't waging a war on crime. He is waging a war on our schools; he is waging a war on health-care and social services in the state. In this time of budget crisis, this initiative would drive state and local governments into a ditch. In the end, Runner's initiative makes us less safe. Effective public safety results from employment and a strong economy, which is based on a strong school system."
The San Francisco City and County Board of Supervisors and the City Council of Berkeley both passed resolutions against the bill, joining United States Congresswoman Barbara Lee, State Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero, Latino Caucus Chairperson Assemblymember Joe Coto, Sen. Leland Yee and Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums in opposing the Runner Initiative.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's projected $12 billion budget already exceeds that of higher education. Currently, California prisons house 170,469 people, with an additional 3,275 people shipped out of state due to overcrowding that has resulted from failed policies like the Runner Initiative. Many prisons are packed at more than 200 percent, forcing some inmates to sleep outside and on floors. Underscoring the prison system's failures is California's 70% recidivism rate, the highest in the country.
WHAT: Coalition Launch Press Conference
WHEN: May 7th 2008, 10:30 AM
WHERE: Sacramento State Capitol Building
WHO: Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero, Senator Assistant President Pro Temp Leland Yee, Assemblyman Joe Coto, California Federation of Teachers Vice President Dean Murakami, California NAACP President Alice Huffman, Executive Director of the Ella Baker Center For Human Rights Jakada Imani, California Church Impact Board Member Reverend Vernon Holmes
PRESS AVAILABILITY: Interviews will be available before, after, and during press conference.
Abel Habtegeorgis
510.428.3939 ext. 232
abel [at] ellabakercenter.org
OAKLAND – Notable elected officials, unions, and civil rights organizations have joined forces in opposition to a proposed California ballot initiative that would pump billions of dollars into prisons and failed "anti-gang" laws and policies. The Coalition to Defeat George Runner's Initiative will hold a press conference May 7th, 2008 in Sacramento, CA announcing the formation of the new coalition, which includes the California Federation of Teachers, California Church IMPACT, The California NAACP, and The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights. The Press Conference coincides with other coordinated events taking place throughout the state (Sacramento, Los Angeles, Fresno) in a coordinated Coalition Day of Action.
The Criminal Penalties and Laws State Spending Statute, a potential November ballot initiative introduced by State Senator George Runner, would bankrupt the state by directing billions of dollars to fund prisons, probation, and police in the midst of a budget crisis that has caused drastic cuts to education and health care. This potential statewide ballot proposal, also known as the "Runner Initiative" or "Safe Neighborhoods Act," is a far reaching-measure that stiffens criminal penalties and introduces laws reminiscent of failed polices of the past that did not increase public safety, but instead substantially increased California's prison population and wasted California tax dollars.
"The Runner Initiative's name on the November ballot is as misleading as what it proposes to do for our community. The so-called "Safe Neighborhoods Act" will not lead to safer streets, less crime or a reduction in drug dealing in our community," said United States Congresswoman Barbara Lee. "The Runner Initiative doesn't address the core problems or create real solutions. In light of the current California budget crisis, we cannot afford to irresponsibly spend even more California tax-dollars on a failed policy of only funding prisons and criminalizing youth."
Jakada Imani, Executive Director of The Ella Baker Center For Human Rights, adds, "George Runner isn't waging a war on crime. He is waging a war on our schools; he is waging a war on health-care and social services in the state. In this time of budget crisis, this initiative would drive state and local governments into a ditch. In the end, Runner's initiative makes us less safe. Effective public safety results from employment and a strong economy, which is based on a strong school system."
The San Francisco City and County Board of Supervisors and the City Council of Berkeley both passed resolutions against the bill, joining United States Congresswoman Barbara Lee, State Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero, Latino Caucus Chairperson Assemblymember Joe Coto, Sen. Leland Yee and Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums in opposing the Runner Initiative.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's projected $12 billion budget already exceeds that of higher education. Currently, California prisons house 170,469 people, with an additional 3,275 people shipped out of state due to overcrowding that has resulted from failed policies like the Runner Initiative. Many prisons are packed at more than 200 percent, forcing some inmates to sleep outside and on floors. Underscoring the prison system's failures is California's 70% recidivism rate, the highest in the country.
WHAT: Coalition Launch Press Conference
WHEN: May 7th 2008, 10:30 AM
WHERE: Sacramento State Capitol Building
WHO: Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero, Senator Assistant President Pro Temp Leland Yee, Assemblyman Joe Coto, California Federation of Teachers Vice President Dean Murakami, California NAACP President Alice Huffman, Executive Director of the Ella Baker Center For Human Rights Jakada Imani, California Church Impact Board Member Reverend Vernon Holmes
PRESS AVAILABILITY: Interviews will be available before, after, and during press conference.
Abel Habtegeorgis
510.428.3939 ext. 232
abel [at] ellabakercenter.org
For more information:
http://www.defeatrunner.org
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