This Legislation Could Change The Criminal Legal System Forever

Police in riot gear in front of demonstrators
Zain Murdock
June 24, 2021

Lawmakers already fumbled the bare-minimum George Floyd Justice in Policing Act after introducing it in February. But the Movement For Black Lives demanded their own legislation a year ago, and masses of people are down to support it.  

Have you heard of the Breathe Act?

Introduced to Congress by representatives Rashida Tlaib and Ayanna Pressley, the Breathe Act “offers a radical reimagining of public safety, community care, and how we spend money as a society.” And the details of this package could make big history.

The Breathe Act aims to end life sentences and mandatory minimums, get rid of bail, stop for-profit prison exploitation, and repeal the devastating 1994 Crime Bill once and for all. 

But it goes even bigger than that.

The act also specifies a moratorium on new prison construction, and provides a detailed 10-year plan for full decarceration. That might seem like a lot, but a new poll actually shows that most Americans support its aims. 

Besides, "We don't need to ask for what we think is politically feasible,” organizer Monifa Bandele says. ”We need to … ask for what's just.”

As politicians try to make policing a Democrat vs. Republican issue, Black people in our communities are taking the route of self-determination. If we demand what we need, they can't ignore us forever!

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