FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 18, 2020

Contact: Jonathan Underland, 856.842.6757

Long Beach City Council Endorses YES on Proposition 25 to End the Unfair Money Bail System

Sacramento, CA – By a margin of two to one, the Long Beach City Council voted this week to endorse YES on Proposition 25, joining a progressive coalition focused on reforming California’s justice system. The measure, which goes before the voters in November, would bring about the end of predatory money bail, replacing it with a new system based on fairness and safety. 

“Money bail is an unjust system - imprisoning many Californians solely due to poverty,” said Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia. "Too often, those with financial means can afford to pay for their freedom even when they are accused of serious crimes, while the poor are forced to stay in jail - even if they are accused of low-level, non-violent offenses. The City of Long Beach is urging voters to support Proposition 25 on the November ballot, because it will bring California one step closer to a justice system that treats everyone equally under the law.”

Long Beach City Councilmember Rex Richardson echoed Mayor Garcia’s support for Proposition 25, saying “Local leaders have a responsibility to lead when it comes to ending the systems that discriminate against our neighbors based on their race or how much money they have. That’s why I strongly encourage my fellow Long Beachers and Californians to vote YES on Proposition 25 in November. Ending money bail, which criminalizes poverty and exploits communities of color for profit, will make our justice system safer and more fair for all.” 

The City of Long Beach joins the California Democratic Party, Governor Newsom, the League of Women Voters of California, the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, and Californians for Safety and Justice in endorsing YES on Prop 25. 

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