In December of 2016, nine co-sponsoring organizations joined to support the introduction of the CA Money Bail Reform Act. Soon thereafter, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, Essie Justice Group, and Silicon Valley DeBug identified a need for bail reform in CA to be accountable to the organizers and leaders who know firsthand how devastating CA’s money bail system is, and have a clear vision and solutions as to what real bail reform must do. In March, 2017 we came together for our first meeting of over 30 grassroots organizations committing themselves to bail reform.
The Grassroots Coalition to End Money Bail is made up of organizations that have led actions like the National Bail Outs, which bailed out over 100 black people in 2017 and exposed the injustices of the bail industry; and A Day in CA Court which documents and holds accountable judges, district attorneys, and public defenders to shed light on what is really happening on the ground in counties across the state. Our mandate is clear. As we change laws and policies in CA, we must ensure that bail reform is truly transformative, that it doesn’t leave entire groups of people behind, and that it doesn’t cause harm by opening up new forms of surveillance, incarceration, and control.
$50,000
The average bail cost in California
The bail bond industry makes billions profiting off of and exploiting poor people. Many bail bond companies rely heavily on large bail amounts and the frequent incarceration of the most vulnerable communities.
Too many times, people have had to sacrifice their jobs, home, and basic needs just to pay off a debt all the while spending long periods of time in poorly operated and unsafe jails. The bail bonds industry continues to exploit vulnerable communities, and it has severe consequences. Bail reform will be a critical step in changing the criminal justice system for the better.It is long overdue for reinvestment in community programs that eliminate harm and discrimination.
California boasts a reputation for progressive change. Now is the time for the state to lead the way for the entire country on bail reform.
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Color Of Change is the nation’s largest online racial justice organization.
We help people respond effectively to injustice in the world around us. As a national online force driven by over one million members, we move decision-makers in corporations and government to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America.
Essie Justice Group is a non profit organization of women with incarcerated loved ones taking on the rampant injustices created by mass incarceration. Our award-winning Healing to Advocacy Model brings women together to heal, build collective power, and drive social change. We are building a membership of fierce advocates for race and gender justice — including Black and Latinx women, formerly and currently incarcerated women, Transwomen, and gender non-conforming people.