Thread by @ScottHech

THREAD: “Even as state/local reformers post major victories, national Democrats have almost entirely abandoned discussing criminal justice reform in public.”

Some thoughts on the irrational political cowardice of Dem leaders on justice & what you can do:thedailybeast.com/why-democrats-…

Criminal justice policy is largely a state & local issue. That's how our constitution works. A fancy legal term called "federalism." States are considered "laboratories of experiment.” Allows state & local progress to occur even with a President like Trump.

In an ideal world, local advocacy for criminal justice would & could proceed unhindered by either a national party/politicians being absent from the conversation or worst case, actively working against it.

In part bc of increasing wins for reason and fairness--modest pretrial justice & unprecedented conversations on divesting from policing in favor of communities, pro-carceral forces have doubled down on old tactics of fear, which media has been willing to print unchallenged.

The response from our national/local democratic leaders to police & carceral interest group talking points & fearmongering has been more than deeply disappointing. It’s been dangerous. thedailybeast.com/why-democrats-…

National/local “progressive” leaders have refused to use their platforms to speak truth, push back against propaganda, & educate constituents about need to end reliance on racist, costly, & failed strategies that undermine health & safety & give alternatives a chance.

National/local “progressive” leaders have done more than just fail to lead on justice. They’ve demeaned the very movement for justice they claimed to support last year. Cory Booker laughing away the defund movement. Chicago Mayor Lightfoot calling "defund" a "nice hashtag.”

National/local “progressive” leaders have done more than just fail to lead on justice. They’ve rewarded police departments for their violent crackdowns on protests with even more funds to add to historically high budgets. bloomberg.com/graphics/2021-…

National/local “progressive” leaders have done more than just fail to lead on justice. They’ve caved to right wing police lies & fear tactics & voted to kill bail reform in NY & appear poised to do same in Illinois unless their constituents speak out. fwd.us/news/new-repor…

Here’s what’s amazing. More than just failing to rise to the occasion to push back against right wing fear, National & local democratic leaders have forced organizers to expend much needed energy on what should be the most obvious and easiest of actions for justice.

Biden has forced national and local organizers to organize to try to get him simply to grant clemency to the thousands of people released under the CARES act (under Trump during COVID), that Biden's DOJ now is arguing must be sent back to prison. newrepublic.com/article/163708…

1000s were vetted--elderly, immunocompromised, nearing ends of sentences--reconnected w/ families, jobs & housing, re-engaged in society, w/ nearly none rearrested. Biden is planning to send most back. Would be the single largest increase in federal prison population in history.

Hundreds of people remain imprisoned in Oregon based on a KKK-era law designed to legally lynch Black people & Jews. Meanwhile the one who can bring change—Progressive attorney general Ellen Rosenblum (@ORDOJ)—has fought for decades to keep them imprisoned.

1000s in Michigan remain caged in solitary confinement in remote white Supremacist prisons, while hundreds caged as juveniles to life w/o parole await resentencing hearings. Meanwhile, Michigan’s progressive governor has been silent on clemency or justice. Silenced.in

NYC’s “progressive” elected prosecutors continue to send hundreds to Rikers on bail they can’t afford. Same for Prince George’s County, MD’s progressive & beloved top prosecutor Aisha Braveboy (@SABraveboy). Despite horrifying conditions depicted here: GaspingForJustice.org

All the above said: Public defenders, organizers, people with direct experience, and coalitions are more collaborative, strategic, and energized than ever before. Despite all this -- continuing to push for change.

One of the biggest fights that underpins the potential success of all movements: fighting for better journalism, a journalism that stops only quoting police, stops only reporting on sensational outlier cases, that reports with nuance. thenation.com/article/societ…

If people know the truth -- that everything advocates are calling for are reasoned, rational, & cost-effective solutions to make our country healthier & safer, then maybe we can have an informed electorate actually to hold progressive politicians accountable to do right.

If people know the truth--that everything advocates are calling for are reasoned, rational, & cost-effective solutions to make our country healthier & safer, Dem leaders would be forced to stand, loudly & proudly, for principle. It’s pathetic they won’t do it on their own.