John,

Today I marched with Clarkston and DeKalb County residents at one of the many peaceful protests happening around the nation. We came together as friends, neighbors, and allies to show our solidarity and demand an end to the police violence and unjust murders of Black Americans.

We marched in support of criminal justice reform, in support of reimagining policing in our country, in support of Black lives. Because Black Lives Matter.

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Millions of Americans are calling out for change, now. Serious, concrete policy changes can and should start at the local level today. I led Clarkston with that philosophy and we became the first city in Georgia to decriminalize simple Cannabis possession, a real policy change that reduces mass incarceration.

We don't have to wait for change -- we can elect leaders who will step up and do what's right, instead of what is easy. That is why I'm running for the DeKalb County Commission in the Democratic primary this Tuesday.

We must continue to march until our leaders deliver justice. We must continue to vote until we have enough politicians with the courage to dismantle the systems of racism in America. We must continue to organize for equality and equity for all.

DeKalb County can set the national model on Criminal Justice Reform

Many of the reforms we need in our country right now can be implemented at the local level, through elections picking the District Attorney, Solicitor General, Sheriff, Mayors, and County Commissioners.

Here in DeKalb County, I will lead on introducing legislation to support restorative justice measures, end the war on drugs, and establish new innovative policing models to enhance transparency, oversight, and community involvement in public safety.

Here are the highlights of my proposal for Super 6:

- Decriminalize Marijuana Possession, and deprioritize it as a policing strategy.
- End Cash Bail, by establishing a DeKalb Bail Fund modeled after the Brooklyn Fund, introduce a civilian court watchers program.
- Establish a new civilian-led policing model; developing a permanent connective system between residents, business owners, and the public safety department.
- Support Incarcerated Women by ensuring that they have access to communication with their families, trauma-informed care, and free basic hygiene products.
- End ICE cooperation, reaffirm DeKalb County's opposition to acting on behalf of Federal Immigration Authorities in enforcing federal law.
- Expand Police Athletic League Program (PAL); partner with every police jurisdiction (MARTA, DeKalb Schools, University and Colleges, and Municipalities), to expand universal afterschool program coverage through the PAL mentoring program.

If you are for making changes to the criminal justice and policing systems now, I need your support.

If you are for an anti-racist campaign to root out all forms of discrimination and bigotry in our communities, I need your support.

If you are for helping the next generation of young elected leaders finally push forward the change we've been waiting for, I need your support.

Please add your name in support of our policy proposal to bring criminal justice reform to DeKalb. Together we can change everything, but it's going to everyone. Join us.

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Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

- Ted

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