Campaign Update: Two Hot Dates in February

CAMPAIGN UPDATE: TWO HOT DATES IN FEBRUARY

Dear Friend,

Now that the door to sweeping change in juvenile justice is wide open, we are
gearing up for a series of big campaign events throughout the year -- at least once
a month from here on out! If you have not been able to yet, now is your chance to
get involved.

For February, we have two events coming up (see below). Please join us as we
continue campaigning to close the California Youth Authority's abusive and wasteful
youth prisons and transform juvenile justice.

1) THE SWEETEST THING: GO ALL THE WAY WITH JJ REFORM!
Valentine's Day of Action in Sacramento
Tuesday, Feb 15, '05 -- ALL DAY

The day after Valentine's, we are traveling to Sacramento to meet with legislators
and share our vision for a new juvenile justice system in California. We will show
California's elected officials that the solutions are within reach. Now is the time
to go all the way! Join us next Tuesday at the Capitol Building in Sacramento!

WHAT: Valentine's Day of Action in Sacramento
WHEN: Tuesday, February 15th, meet in Sacramento at 10 AM
WHERE: Sacramento, State Capitol Building
WHO: Books Not Bars, Allies, and Friends

PLEASE RSVP to Zachary at:
zachary [at] ellabakercenter.org
or 510-428-3939 x239

2) BOOKS NOT BARS TOWN HALL MEETING
Thursday, Feb 24,'05 -- 6pm

2005 has already been a head-spinning year for juvenile justice reform. (And it's
only February!) Two weeks ago, State Senator Gloria Romero introduced a bill that
calls for closing CYA’s Chad facility and “redesigning or rebuilding” all the
facilities within 3 years. And just last week, the CYA lawsuit settlement brought
plans for a whole new juvenile justice model for the state.

What does it all mean? And what can we do together to make these plans into reality?

The Books Not Bars "Alternatives for Youth" campaign invites everyone to join us for
a big campaign update and celebration of our victories so far. Find out what is
happening and how you can get involved.

WHAT: Books Not Bars Town Hall Meeting
WHEN: Thursday, February 24, 2005 at 6 PM
WHERE: Ella Baker Center -- 344 40th Street, Oakland, CA 94609
WHO: Books Not Bars, Allies, and Friends

PLEASE RSVP to Jakada at:
jakada [at] ellabakercenter.org
or 510-428-3939 x226

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LAST WEEKEND: "LEADERSHIP ACADEMY" A BIG SUCCESS FOR FAMILIES FOR BOOKS NOT BARS

Opportunities for sweeping change are building up -- and so are our skills and
energy to win. This past weekend, we held an important event for our members: the
2005 Families For Books Not Bars leadership training weekend. We held workshops on
organizing and advocacy, developed campaign plans for the year, discussed the
difficult issues youth and families face, and committed to working together for
lasting and meaningful change. Parents came from across the state and came out of
the weekend energized and ready.

After an intense two days, everyone felt a sense of shared destiny. As member
Katrina put it, "This is no longer just about my son. This is about all of the
children and families and communities -- thousands of people! -- being destroyed by
the juvenile justice system. Together we have the power to make a difference."

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Get more information about the Books Not Bars "Alternatives for Youth" Campaign:
http://ellabakercenter.org/bnb/campaign

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