Friend –

We wanted to make sure you saw the invite to join us at the ACLU California Action conference this year and you didn't miss out on your chance to register!

As a dedicated ACLU member, you know what it takes to get critical legislation passed in California. This year we need your help to pass important bills that will extend the Racial Justice Act to all impacted people, decertify abusive police officers, and increase access and public participation at government meetings.

Register by March 28 and you'll receive a special welcome package!

We've got a great line up of workshops, lobby visits, and other fun activities that will get you engaged alongside other activists and organizers to pass these bills. Don't miss out – register for the California Action Conference today!

Thank you,

Ashley Morris
Organizing Director, ACLU of Northern California

Friend –

While there are signs our nation's political climate is improving, great challenges persist – as do deep divisions, even among Democrats who control the California legislature. With so much at stake, the ACLU is determined to advance public policies that matter to our state's diverse communities. Together with you, we can pass legislation that advances racial justice and gender equality, protects open government, reimagines policing, and strengthens civilian oversight of law enforcement.

We need your help to advance these key priorities:

• Racial Justice Act for All: Last year, California passed the Racial Justice Act (AB 2542) prohibiting bias in the courtroom and disparities in sentencing and convictions. AB 2542 was a landmark bill, but the new law applies only to cases starting in 2021. AB 256 (Kalra) will extend the Racial Justice Act by applying it to earlier cases. Racist sentencing has long fueled our state's mass incarceration crisis – putting too many Californians at risk in overcrowded prisons and jails. We must extend civil rights protections to include all incarcerated Californians, including people sentenced before 2021, who may have already been harmed and may continue to be in harm's way.
• Police decertification: We're not done fighting to ensure that police officers who commit grave misconduct have their certification revoked. SB 2 (Bradford) will achieve this important goal. It will also provide relief to victims of police misconduct by overturning bad court interpretations of civil rights law to allow victims to obtain remedies under state law.
• Public participation in government: Diverse, informed civic engagement is critical to holding government agencies accountable to the people. AB 339 (Lee) will ensure fair public access to state and local government meetings. Among other things, this bill will allow remote participation for the public and increase access for non-English speakers, so that all individuals can be heard.

Lawmakers need to hear your voice! This April, ACLU members from across California will mobilize for our annual conference and lobby state legislators on these bills. Join us to help advance meaningful policy change in our state. Register today to help us Level Up California!

Thanks for all you do,

Abdi Soltani
Executive Director, ACLU of Northern California