Advocate for Youth Justice in Race Equity and Policing Bills

Massachusetts has some of the worst racial and ethnic disparities in every stage of legal system involvement in the country, but we can do better. Join the movement to confront the impact of bias and racism in our systems at every level. Demand that our legislators and policy makers shed light on the racial impact of the legal system and hold law enforcement accountable.

Responding to calls across the Commonwealth to dismantle structural racism and address police misconduct, the state legislature passed a race equity and policing bill that is currently awaiting the Governor’s signature or veto. While this legislation may not go as far as many racial justice advocates sought, this bill makes a number of concrete and necessary gains right away. Read more about what is at stake if this bill fails.

Tell the Legislature and Governor:
Pass a strong Racial Equity Bill

On Dec 10th, Governor Baker returned the Justice, Equity and Accountability in Law Enforcement bill (S.2963) with amendments with a threat to veto the bill if his amendments are not adopted. While legislative leaders and the Governor are negotiating a compromise, we need to influence both branches with key messages:

GOVERNOR email (sample script linked), Phone: (617) 725-4005, Facebook @CharlieBakerMA or twitter @MassGovernor

You have shown your commitment to advancing race equity as exemplified by your administration prioritizing a racially equitable distribution of the covid-19 vaccine and your calls to greater accountability in policing. please continue championing race equity and sign the compromise bill as it emerges from the legislature. we thank you for approving significant portions of the bill and ask that you approve a final bill that keeps intact definitions that set bias-free policing as well as use of force and duty to intervene standards.

REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS WHO VOTED YES:
(voting record and contacts in the links above)

Thank you for voting Yes on the Justice, Equity and Accountability bill S.2963. this bill offers concrete necessary steps to expand expungement, gives local decision making powers on school policing matters, and common sense protections in the use of force. This legislation presents an important first step in reckoning with racial injustice in our Commonwealth and I ask that you maintain your support for this bill, passing this bill while ensuring that the final bill keeps intact definitions that set bias-free policing as well as use of force and duty to intervene standards.

REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS WHO VOTED NO:
(voting record and contacts in the links above)

I recognize that you have reservations and voted against Justice, Equity and Accountability bill S.2963 but I ask that you reconsider your vote, and commit to voting YES as the legislature re-negotiates this bill. This legislation presents an important first step in reckoning with racial injustice in our Commonwealth and I ask that you stand up for this moment and heed the call of constituents like myself who ask your support for this bill.