Thread by @Ms_Wallace4

The call to #DefundPolice & reimagine public safety is not abstract. The blueprint already exists.

Before the tragic murders of George Floyd & Breonna Taylor sparked massive #BlackLivesMatter protests around the world — @AyannaPressley introduced the People’s Justice Guarantee.

In her first year in office, she listened *and* legislated to address the demands of activists and directly impacted people from our community. theappeal.org/rep-ayanna-pre…

The #JusticeGuarantee centers on 5 principles of justice:

1. shared power
2. freedom
3. equality
4. safety
5. dignity

Let’s break down what this means. A thread.

Shared Power. “The people closest to the pain, should be closest to the power.”

It’s necessary that people directly impacted by the system, both drive & inform the solutions to end it. The #JusticeGurantee prioritized this input & outlined exactly what this moment demands.

Freedom. Dramatically shrink the policing & criminal justice footprint.

▪️repeal the worst tenets of the ‘94 crime bill
▪️decriminalize substance use, sex work, homelessness
▪️end the cradle to prison pipeline
▪️condition fed funding for mass decarceration at state/local level

Equality. Ensure equal justice under the law.

▪️enhance oversight of police and prosecutors
▪️end qualified & absolute immunity
▪️decriminalize poverty: ending fines and fees, cash bail
▪️repeal AEDPA and PLRA
▪️invest in public defender offices

Ending status quo policing & transforming what public safety truly means has been long overdue. With broad support from the civil rights & liberties community, grassroot orgs, and directly impacted people — the #JusticeGuarantee outlines the scale of demands to meet this moment.

Safety. End cycles of systemic violence.

▪️provide resources for survivors of crime
▪️reduce gun violence
▪️fund community-led trauma and violence interruption programs
▪️ demilitarize police depts
▪️invest in non-police emergency first responder programs

Alternatives to policing aren’t radical. These programs already exist.

Oregon’s CAHOOTS program is a successful and effective model.

Read up on it. Urge your lawmakers to fund it. Harris County took a major step this week in funding such a program.
hcn.org/issues/52.7/pu…

Dignity. Provide stability to all people by eliminating racism, criminalization, & oppression that define the US criminal legal system.

▪️health care for all
▪️safe and stable housing
▪️fed jobs guarantee & living wages
▪️free public transit
▪️Green New Deal
▪️Reparations

Don’t just take my word for it. Trust experts and activists on the ground.

As @avitale writes these proposals are “worthy” of consideration in the push to defund police:
thenation.com/article/activi…

A just America recognizes these principles—and does all it can to prevent further harm and trauma.

We must create a world that is safe for everyone—and we should start by adopting the tenets of the #JusticeGuarantee.

Anything less will always fall short of the justice we seek.

Again, it’s not radical. Many cities have already taken steps to divest from police & redirect resources to public health and real public safety. fastcompany.com/90514863/defun…

For more information about the People’s Justice Guarantee, read below.

Encourage your federal representatives to cosponsor and urge state/local officials to file legislation to make the #JusticeGuarantee a reality & transform our communities. pressley.house.gov/media/press-re…