California lawmakers approved two of our priority bills, #AB1071 by Ash Karla and #AB1376 by @asmmiabonta.bsky.social! They’re now at the Governor’s desk, waiting for his signature!

When youth know their efforts will be recognized, they’re more likely to succeed. AB 1376 gives them that chance. #EndEndlessProbation #AB1376 @asmmiabonta.bsky.social‬
‪@ib2real.bsky.social‬

Last week, Smart Justice CA brought together a panel of people and family members who have been through California’s parole system, to share about their experiences fighting for their freedom.

Thank you to all of the panelists who shared their story, and for the legislative staffers who attended.

Research shows that what actually helps youth thrive and stay out of the justice system are:
⚽️ Pro-social activities
📚 Education support
🏡 Strong family and community ties

It’s time to invest in supports that work — not punishments that don’t.

#EndEndless Probation Pass #AB1376Bonta

Since California reinstated the death penalty in 1977, eight Californians have been exonerated and released from death row. All of them were men of color. @cagovernor @GavinNewsom #CommuteTheRow now. #UniversalClemencyNow #ConfrontRacism #deathpenalty

Deadly police use of force incidents have reached an all-time low in California, while red states are seeing an uptick. Read more about recent California laws laws to rein in police violence, and the far-reaching positive impact they're having on communities at: www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...

Fair representation: A California bill aims to improve public defense funding | Opinion California’s public defense system is woefully outdated and under-resourced.

Public defenders are the first and often only line of defense when people are wrongfully arrested, face life-altering immigration consequences for minor offenses... Yet California’s public defense system is woefully outdated and under-resourced.

Read more at: www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...

Opinion: From endless juvenile probation to endless incarceration I grew up in poverty, with a father in and out of prison, a mother addicted to heroin, and my cousins caught up in gangs. When I was a teenager, my friends and I started stealing cars and joyriding…

"California’s practice of “endless juvenile probation” keeps kids under supervision until they turn 18 or longer, regardless of whether they’ve changed or progressed. I was one of those kids, and it cost me everything."
#EndEndlessProbation #AB1376
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/07/08/o...

Prop 36 Is Triggering an Arrest Surge in California, Hitting Black Communities Hard California's Proposition 36, aimed at addressing homelessness, drug addiction, and theft, has led to a rise in arrests, disproportionately affecting Black communities. Critics argue that the law's imp...

"It's a war on poor people."

Six months after California’s #Prop36 took effect, early data shows a rise in arrests — with the law disproportionately affecting Black communities in some parts of the state.
blackvoicenews.com/2025/07/08/p...

Since California reinstated the death penalty in 1977, eight Californians have been exonerated and released from death row. All of them were men of color. @cagovernor @GavinNewsom #CommuteTheRow now. #UniversalClemencyNow #ConfrontRacism #deathpenalty

Infographic from Clemency California

Black men are 4x more likely to be sentenced to death in CA. It’s time to close this racist chapter in California’s history. We call on @cagovernor @GavinNewsom #CommuteTheRow and grant #UniversalClemencyNow. #ConfrontRacism #deathpenalty

California has the largest death row in the U.S. The death penalty has no place in any society that values fairness, justice, and human rights. We call on @gavinnewsom.bsky.social to #CommuteTheRow #UniversalClemencyNow #ConfrontRacism #deathpenalty

Three of our priority bills advanced out of Senate Public Safety yesterday. Thank you to our bill authors and coalition partners!

#AB690 authored by @asmnickschultz.bsky.social
#AB1071 authored by Assemblymember Ash Karla
#AB1376 authored by @asmmiabonta.bsky.social