Generation Opportunity is proud to announce a new criminal justice reform initiative, focusing its efforts on offering solutions to overcriminalization, restoring mutual trust and respect between communities and law enforcement, and ensuring second chances for non-violent offenders who have served their time and paid their debt to society. The campaign was inspired by our generation’s commitment to justice and opportunity for all Americans – especially communities of color, who are disproportionately affected by this broken system.The campaign will address important issues, such as the overcriminalization of non-violent crimes and federal mandatory minimum laws. Other topics will include the collateral consequences of incarceration, such as restrictions on voting rights and laws that make it impossible for reformed ex-convicts to leave their pasts behind. Harmful policies like civil asset forfeiture and programs that militarize local police forces will also be discussed. The campaign will kick off with a short documentary that highlights the story of Weldon Angelos, a young man who was sentenced unfairly as a result of federal mandatory minimums. The documentary was produced with help from Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) and it will premiere at a major event February 12th at the Knight Center at the Newseum.
Generation Opportunity President Evan Feinberg issued the following statement:
“The criminal justice system in America is broken, but 2015 offers a unique moment in history in which people of different backgrounds and political leanings are coming together to facilitate a substantive dialogue on how to fix it. Together, we can work toward a more just system that reflects the rule of law without overcriminalizing non-violent offences. We can restore trust between communities and law enforcement. And we can make sure non-violent offenders have second chances and opportunities to overcome their mistakes.
“Our nation should be a shining example of what real justice looks like, but it hasn’t lived up to its potential. The U.S. has 5 percent of the world’s population but makes up 25 percent of the world’s prison population. Most of these offenders are non-violent, and some have been locked up for decades because of unfair mandatory minimum sentences. This is especially devastating for communities of color, whose members are being incarcerated at disproportionately high rates.
“Our generation is at the forefront of this movement, driven by concern, compassion, and a willingness to fight the status quo. We recognize that opportunity for all cannot truly exist in our country until we acknowledge that American communities, particularly those of color, are being torn apart by our broken system. We know our country can do better than this, and we’re coming together to pursue true justice and opportunity for all.”
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