The input shared in the surveys, focus groups, and People’s Movement Assemblies informed our resulting bill framework. The policy proposals emphasize investing in community infrastructure instead of carceral infrastrucure, promoting policies rooted in care and respect for human dignity.
The key principles
of our bill framework
of our bill framework
Acknowledging the harms and ineffectiveness of policing, criminalization, and incarceration.
Repairing the damage wrought by the 1994 Crime Bill and punitive, expensive, violent, and racist systems of criminalization
Investing in strategies, solutions, and resources that protect and improve the health, welfare, and safety of all communities.
The People's Bill For Safety And Freedom
Enhancing Community Investments
Title I
We, the People, call for lawmakers to authorize and properly fund essential community services that are proven to address poverty, mental health conditions, substance use disorder, and inequities imposed on our communities and exacerbated by the 1994 Crime Bill. These investments will improve safety in our communities.
Ending the School-to-Prison Pipeline
Title II
We, the People, call for the elimination of the school-to-prison pipeline. We seek to shift our schools from a punitive discipline structure and make investments in alternative conflict resolution and restorative practices.
Addressing Policing
Title III
We, the People, call for ending law-and-order policies that prioritize and fund policing and surveillance, and instead reallocating such funds to community-driven, community-tailored, and community focused resources that are proven to create harm reduction, safe havens, and violence intervention and prevention programs. Safety for our communities should focus on both physical and social well-being.
Reframing the Criminal Legal System
Title IV
We, the People, call for lawmakers to repeal the 1994 Crime Bill and replace it with a law that transforms our legal system so it bends toward justice for our communities, too. This law must outline effective accountability measures, restorative practices, and other alternatives to incarceration for all individuals, including forgiveness.
Expanding Community and Reentry Services
Title V