John,

In 2018, when I was elected the first Black Congresswoman from the state of Massachusetts with the support of DFA members like you, I had a vision for making bold, positive change for my community and country -- and my sights were set on overhauling our racist, xenophobic, rogue, and fundamentally flawed criminal legal system.

Personally, I know a thing or two about the ways our criminal INjustice system hurts instead of helps us. When I was growing up, my father found himself in and out of the system for years, and something I’ll always hold with me is the realization that, in some respects, my mother and I did that time along with him.

Incarceration destabilizes entire families and communities, and it’s currently at its highest rate in the history of the United States. We jail more people than any other country in the entire world, including the largest immigration detention system. It’s time for a total paradigm shift.

That’s why last week, I’m proud to have introduced the People’s Justice Guarantee, a resolution to dismantle and transform our criminal INjustice system through massive decarceration and centered on five core values: shared power, freedom, equality, safety, and dignity.

If you believe America needs a reset when it comes to our criminal legal system, add your name as a citizen cosponsor of my bill to reform the system now >>

If passed, this resolution would fundamentally transform our criminal legal system, including:

• Lowering the prison population and detention of migrants through decarceration;
• Abolishing the death penalty nationwide;
• Banning assault weapons and taking weapons of war off our streets;
• Boosting our country’s social safety net to alleviate poverty;
• Improving health care and protecting the civil rights of those incarcerated.

My resolution calls for a lot because we need to do A LOT. It’s going to take widespread support and help from all levels of government to make these progressive changes a reality, and that’s why I need you today.

If you’re with me and believe it’s time to dismantle and transform the United States criminal justice system, add your name to show support for the People’s Justice Guarantee today.

Together, we can put this vision into practice and create groundbreaking change for families and communities across the country.

Thank you,

Ayanna Pressley