News & Updates

From a member: I was arrested when I was 18. It was a sting operation. Non violent, no contact, and consensual. I was sentenced as a Youthful Offender, withheld adjudication, and 2 years of probation (off in one). The judges’ exact words were “my hands are tied” when he handed me the sex offender label. I was 18. I am

Leo Gutierrez has a healthy kidney waiting for him in El Salvador. But he can’t get to it. Despite his pleas to be deported to his home country, where relatives have offered their organs for transplant, the state of California pays thousands of dollars for him to receive dialysis three times a week at Coalinga State Hospital. Gutierrez is a

What Would Dr. King Do? The Case Against Amendment 4 on Felon Voting Rights   by Paul Wright Florida leads the nation with over 1 million citizens disenfranchised and unable to vote due to felony convictions. The path to having their voting rights restored is long and difficult, and has been found unconstitutional by a federal judge. This November, Floridians

This November, Floridians will vote on a proposal to amend the state constitution.  Amendment 4 is bittersweet. If passed, many Florida residents—who have paid the price for their wrongdoing–will have their right to vote restored.  Florida law bars those with felonies from voting and a large number of people, many of color, have been disenfranchised – about 1.5 million. At

Source: Tallahassee Democrat Florida leads the nation with over 1 million citizens disenfranchised and unable to vote due to felony convictions. The path to having their voting rights restored is long and difficult, and has been found unconstitutional by a federal judge. This November, Floridians who are able to vote will determine whether convicted felons who have completed their sentences

Voting rights:   In Florida, individuals with a felony on their record lose the right to vote; that’s how a large number of people, many of color, have been disenfranchised.  Change on the horizon?  If a proposal (Amendment 4) on the November ballot passes, the Florida constitution will be amended to automatically restore their voting rights.  This is big, an estimated