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Stop Proposition 21 Don't be fooled by the name of Proposition 21, the "Gang Violence and Juvenile Crime Prevention Initiative." This proposition will do nothing to prevent crime or encourage youth to stay out of gangs. Instead of providing educational opportunities to help youth succeed, Proposition 21 would spend billions of dollars of our taxes in order to lock up youth as young as 14 in adult prisons. PREVENTION WORKS, CRIME IS DOWN Sensational media and politicians lead you to believe that crime is out of control. However, according to the California Department of Justice, the state's juvenile felony arrest rate dropped by 30% from 1991 to1998. Arrests of juveniles for homicide fell by more than 50% in the same period. STOP THE EROSION OF OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS Proposition 21 would put excessive power in the hands of law enforcement and the criminal justice system, resulting in increased levels of police abuse, wrongful arrests, and invasions of privacy. This is a particular threat to immigrant communities. STOP RACIAL BIAS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT Even without Proposition 21, minority drivers who have done absolutely nothing wrong are frequently stopped by the police based on the color of their skin. Youth of color are viewed suspiciously solely because of the way they look and dress. Under Proposition 21, police will be given widespread authority to harass and pursue anyone they consider part of a "gang," which California law defines as any group of three people. JOBS BELONG IN OUR COMMUNITIES, NOT BEHIND BARS The expansion of prisons is fueled by special interests seeking to profit off of prison construction and inmate labor. Prison labor is not just used for license plates any more. Corporations are hiring prisoners to do everything from credit card marketing to airline reservations. Proposition 21 would intensify the trend of good paying jobs being removed from the cities to take advantage of prison labor at an average pay of 57 cents per hour. OUR YOUTH NEED EDUCATION NOT PRISON California spends over $4 billion a year on prisons. Since 1984, the state has added 21 prisons and only one university campus. While Proposition 21 would require higher levels of spending on prisons, it does not provide one penny to improve the education of our youth. For the cost of keeping one youth in prison for a year, we could send two students to UCLA or three students to Cal State. STAND UP FOR JUSTICE Our youth are the future leaders of society. Don't let a small group of politicians scapegoat our youth just to get a few extra votes! Let them know that our compassion for our youth outweighs our fears. Demand meaningful social, economic, and educational programs that foster a sense of community and hope in youth. AS ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICANS, WE STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH ALL COMMUNITIES WORKING TO DEFEAT PROPOSITION 21 AND WHO BELIEVE IN SOCIAL JUSTICE. We Urge You To: 1) Register yourself and/or others to vote and vote NO on Proposition 21. 2) Endorse the campaign to Stop Proposition 21. |