[From Youth Justice Coalition]: ACT NOW TO BLOCK EXTREMELY DAMAGING GANG BILL MOVING THROUGH THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THIS WEEK!
[From Youth Justice Coalition]: ACT NOW TO BLOCK EXTREMELY DAMAGING GANG BILL MOVING THROUGH THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THIS WEEK!
U.S. Senator Diane Feinstein’s gang bill Senate Bill
456, (the Gang Abatement and Prevention Act of 2007)
just passed out of the Senate under nearly unanimous
consent. She has been tryng to push through versions
of this bill for years now, but was blocked until now.
The bill basically takes many of the provisions of
California’s Proposition 21* and our damaging gang
suppression tactics, such as the STEP Act, national.
There was no discussion on the Feinstein bill. While
the youth justice movement – (thanks to everyone who
pushed for changes) – was able to remove the adult
court transfer provisions in the bill and insert more
money for prevention and treatment, the bill still has
an overly broad definition of gang involvement
(modeled on California’s definition) and will push
youth into the federal court system!
The House will soon be considering two gang bills
introduced by Representative Adam Schiff (Pasadena,
L.A. County/California) and Representative Bobby Scott
(Virginia). The Schiff bill has many problems
(outlined in the attached Action Update), while the
Scott bill is very positive and is primarily focused
on prevention.
Please get involved to push the Scott bill and stop
the Schiff bill!!!! The steps to take are outlined in
the Action Update.
Thanks! - YJC, 323-235-4243; freelanow@yahoo.com.
Original: Stop anti-youth gang bill in congress!