Hello friend,

We hope you’ve had a peaceful and restorative 2022! It’s been a busy year so far for Campaign Zero. In the spirit of the giving season, we’re sharing an overview of the impact we’ve made together, and a glimpse of what’s to come, as we invite you to support a more just world. Here are a few of our recent campaigns and the impact our work is having. We'd appreciate your continued support.

End All No Knocks

Initially launched in 2021, End All No Knocks was created to stop the police from conducting dangerous raids like the one that led to the death of Breonna Taylor.

Throughout 2022, the restrictions outlined in the model legislation that we created to end these militarized practices were adopted by six states, the Department of Justice and numerous cities like Minneapolis, MN, Birmingham, AL, and Pittsburgh, PA.

There is more work to do to end no knock raids- join us in ending this practice that has terrorized communites for far too long.

End Qualified Immunity

End Qualified immunity which was created to stop the protections police have from civil liability when they violate an individual’s constitutional rights. Currently, people harmed, injured, or killed by police rarely receive justice or compensation for damages. Today, every state working on a bill to end qualified immunity is using our rubric.

• The wrong people are being protected in this country. No one should be above the law. We must eliminate qualified immunity now. Learn more and join the fight; let’s support victims and end qualified immunity.

Rikers in Crisis

Rikers in Crisis in response to the historically high violence happening at that prison, which includes 18 individuals who have died in custody in 2022 alone. Our actions have led to:

• Dozens of legislators, city council members, and media editorial boards (including New York Daily News & the New York Post) have publicly called for Receivership.
• Additionally, the Department of Justice wrote a letter to the Court overseeing the current monitoring process. Join us to stop the human right’s crisis occurring at Rikers

Baltimore Water Crisis

In September, Campaign Zero worked with local organizers to purchase and deliver purified water to numerous Senior Living Centers in Baltimore where the drinking water was found to be contaminated.

• Our Organizing and Advocacy team was able to purchase and deliver clean water to 6 residential facilities for seniors in Baltimore.

Justice For Samuel Celestin

Justice for Samuel Celestin was launched to call for accountability for the police officers who killed Samuel on April 11, 2019. The officers were responding to a 911 call, made by Samuel’s mother and sister, requesting assistance in getting Samuel transported to a mental health facility.

• Instead, officer’s held Samuel at gunpoint, tased him repeatedly, held down and hogtied him, and left lying on his stomach until he stopped breathing. The Medical Examiner ruled Samuel’s death a homicide; however, no one has been held accountable.
• Join us to demand that state attorney Monique Worrell hold the officers who killed Samuel accountable.

Justice For Derontae Martin

Justice for Derontae Martin was launched to uncover the truth about who killed Deronate Martin, a Black 19 year-old who was found dead in the attic of a house owned by a known white supremacist with a gunshot wound to his head. Although the local coroner quickly ruled his death a suicide, a second autopsy and the decision of an empanelled jury concluded Derontae’s death was the result of violence, not suicide. The MO State Highway Patrol was then tasked with investigating Derontae’s death- they have since closed the case and made no arrests.

• We are calling on the Department of Justice to conduct a thorough investigation and find the answers his family deserves. Together, we need to uncover the truth.

Raise The Threshold

Raise the Threshold was launched to decrease the likelihood that anyone would be incarcerated for a low-level, non-violent crime of poverty. Felony theft thresholds are the dollar amount that determine when theft becomes a felony and they vary across the United States.

• These thresholds have remained dangerously low for decades and lead to increased mass incarceration.
• For example, in NJ, that law states that theft is considered a felony if the item is worth more than only $200 with penalties of up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10k.
• Demand that state representatives raise the threshold now, adjust them for the future and remove any exceptions.

More to come

We have several campaigns preparing to launch next year – including a fascinating look at the impact of Drug Free Zone Laws and a nationwide look at the hidden costs of prisons passed along to formerly incarcerated people and their families. We can’t wait to share the research and ways to get involved!

As you look toward the rest of your year, we hope you will consider donating to Campaign Zero as we build a more just society, together.

Thank you for your continued support.