Campaign for JUSTICE, SAFETY & JOBS

The Campaign for Justice, Safety and Jobs (CJSJ) commends Judge James K. Bredar’s ruling last week to uphold the terms of the consent decree between the City of Baltimore and the federal government and is eager to work to ensure robust community participation in the monitor selection process, which is just one step leading to improved relations between the community and the police department.

The consent decree also establishes limits on how police engage with individuals, requires police officers to get additional training on de-escalation tactics and ensures transparent mechanisms limiting racial profiling.

“We are very pleased that the court decided to move forward and respect citizens’ demands by adopting the consent decree. We look forward to working with the parties in selecting the independent monitor,” said Elizabeth Alex, CASA Regional Director in Baltimore. “The voices of our people have been heard. Now let’s get to work.”

On Friday, U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar opposed Attorney General Jeff Session’s request to avoid signing the agreement and asked to wait for at least 30 days for the Trump administration to review the agreement.

CJSJ is a coalition of community organizations created after the death of Freddie Gray in 2015.

## 

​

​

The Campaign for Justice, Safety, and Jobs is a partnership between:

1199 SEIU, ACLU of Maryland, Amnesty International, Beats, Rhymes, and Relief, Bmore United, CASA, Coalition of Concerned Mothers, Communities United, Council on American-Islamic Relations, Equity Matters, Empowerment Temple, Freddie Gray Project, Fusion Partnerships, Inc, Jews United for Justice, Justice League, Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle, Making Change, Maryland State Conference NAACP, No Boundaries Coalition, Peace by Piece, Pleasant Hope Baptist Church, Power Inside, Showing Up for Racial Justice – Baltimore, Southern Elections Foundation, Ujima People’s Progress, Universal Zulu Nation.

Responding to the motion to postpone the consent decree process by 90 days, filed by the Department of Justice headed by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, the Campaign for Justice, Safety and Jobs issued the following statement:

“The people of Baltimore have suffered enough. After decades of over policing and discriminatory practices documented in detail in the DOJ findings report, it is time to move forward to reform our law enforcement system in the City of Baltimore. Thousands of people marched, testified, and participated in town hall meetings. The consent decree is the product of that input and community outrage. The DOJ's motion is an attempt to silence the voices of these very people who have worked for decades, and very intensely for the past two years, to improve public safety and policing in Baltimore. We will not be silenced.

While the consent decree is not a panacea, it is an important tool for reform that is long overdue, and represents a step toward more just law enforcement in our city. The people of our city deserve reform, and together with our city elected leaders we have agreed to roll up our sleeves and start the work. Our Federal Department of Justice should want to ensure that all of its citizens receive an equitable standard of justice; assuring that law enforcement reconciles to a standard that reflects the safety of all communities without bias, partiality or discrimination. They should be our partners in seeking reforms, not an obstacle to the very justice they are charged to represent.”

##

The Campaign for Justice, Safety, and Jobs is a partnership between:

1199 SEIU, ACLU of Maryland, Amnesty International, Beats, Rhymes, and Relief, Bmore United, CASA, Coalition of Concerned Mothers, Communities United, Council on American-Islamic Relations, Equity Matters, Empowerment Temple, Freddie Gray Project, Fusion Partnerships, Inc, Jews United for Justice, Justice League, Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle, Making Change, Maryland State Conference NAACP, No Boundaries Coalition, Peace by Piece, Pleasant Hope Baptist Church, Power Inside, Showing Up for Racial Justice – Baltimore, Southern Elections Foundation, Ujima People’s Progress, Universal Zulu Nation.

PRESS ADVISORY

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT

ERIKA HERNANDEZ, CJSJ

Cel. 301-717-4492

ehernandez@justicesafetyandjobs.org

ELIZABETH ALEX, CASA

Cel. 443-732-777

ealex@wearecasa.org

BRITTANY OLIVER, ACLU

Cel. 410-693-4877

oliver@aclu-md.org

Coalition of Grassroots Organizations Congratulate Baltimore City and DOJ Reform Agreement

BALTIMORE (JANUARY 12, 2017) _ The Campaign for Justice, Safety & Jobs (CJSJ), a coalition of grassroots organizations congratulates Baltimore City Mayor Catherine Pugh and the Department of Justice for finalizing a strong consent decree days before the change in federal administration. The decree is the result of a lengthy investigation into patterns and practices of the Baltimore City Police Department (BPD) that led to a scathing report of findings of excessive use of force and police misconduct, particularly in black and brown communities. The consent decree includes strong provisions for community oversight and participation, marking a significant victory for efforts to maximize citizen engagement throughout the consent decree process and beyond.

“It's clear that the Department of Justice and Mayor Pugh heard our demands for community input and oversight,” said Ray Kelly, Director of CJSJ member No Boundaries Coalition. “We look forward to learning more and working with both parties to maximize resident participation in the public hearing before the judge and throughout the monitoring process.”

The adoption of the final agreement, also called consent decree, is a critical step after months of negotiations between Baltimore City officials and the Department of Justice, and a series of public forums convened by CJSJ members throughout the city. The decree is expected to serve as a strong tool for reform.

“The consent decree is a critical step forward,” said Lydia Walter-Rodriguez, Lead Organizer with CJSJ member CASA, “but it will be critical for the community to remain engaged throughout the process, especially in the selection of the monitor.”

The judge will select an independent monitor to measure progress made by the Baltimore City Police Department toward compliance with the consent decree. The monitor is also required to assess progress in police-community relations in annual surveys of city residents.

The inclusion of a Civilian Advisory Task Force to assess and make recommendations on existing measures of civilian oversight in BPD is a critical component that is unique to this consent decree.   

CJSJ applauds the parties for taking this step as a key measure in reforming statewide systems that have been historical roadblocks to reform the Baltimore Police Department. The coalition looks forward to providing any additional feedback in case the federal judge decides to open the decree to a public comment period. CJSJ is committed to working with this task force, the Mayor, and the General Assembly to ensure transparency and accountability through robust civilian oversight.

Since the death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore, CJSJ has advocated for meaningful police reform. Last spring, the general assembly took a key step in passaging legislation to reform the state Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights, including a provision to allow voting civilians to participate on police trial boards. 

In 2017, CJSJ will work with Mayor Pugh to remove additional barriers to implementing the decree in Baltimore City.

##

Follow us on Facebook and on Twitter!

The Campaign for Justice, Safety & Jobs (CJSJ) is composed of over 30 organizations from Baltimore to address and provide policy and justice solutions, including a diverse combination of local grassroots youth organizations, policy advocates, faith instructions, and labor unions.

Timothy Mygatt, Lead Investigator

U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, Special Litigation Section

61 D Street, NW Room 5907A

Washington, D.C. 20004

Attn: @207-35-15

September 9, 2016

We are members of the Campaign for Justice, Safety, and Jobs (“CJSJ”), a coalition of over 30 organizations representing local and national youth leaders, policy advocates, civil rights organizations, law enforcement, and labor unions.   CJSJ formed over a year ago in the wake of the Baltimore police in-custody death of Freddie Gray, an unarmed Black man.  Since then, we have created and advanced policing reforms and economic solutions to improve the quality of life of Baltimore City residents. 

​

As community leaders, we believe that policing in Baltimore will never truly by reformed, nor police-community trust established, until the current systems of accountability allow for and encourage robust civilian participation and oversight of the Baltimore City Police Department.  To that end, civilians must also play critical oversight roles in the negotiation and monitoring of any agreement between the City of Baltimore and the Department of Justice.  We believe that the following provisions should be included in any consent decree or other agreement:

• The consent decree must include a provision requiring that the monitoring team selected and agreed upon by the parties will be required to contract with community-based groups to regularly solicit community feedback through structured interviews about police citizen contacts throughout the monitoring process.  This will be critical to rebuilding community trust and ensuring that reforms or system changes at the department level are not implemented until their impact is felt at the community level.

• The consent decree must include a transparent monitor selection process including robust community input through public hearings or forums at which the monitor candidates present their qualifications, and at which members of the public have a chance to ask questions, and provide feedback to the city and DOJ about the candidates.

• The Statement of Principles released earlier last month must be modified to include specific language requiring civilian oversight throughout the consent decree negotiation, monitoring, and implementation of reforms.

​

In addition, we ask that:

• Once an agreement is reached between Baltimore City and the Department of Justice, the parties include a public comment period and a public hearing before the Federal Judge to receive and consider community feedback before the consent decree is approved.

Baltimore needs effective community policing and law enforcement that upholds equal justice and protects public safety by ensuring community accessibility, transparency, and accountability. The systemic barriers to justice, identified in the April 10th findings letter by the Department of Justice, will never be addressed until the Baltimore City Police Department makes an intentional decision to re-orient itself in language, practice and policy of police as protectors, partners and fellow community members, rather than antagonists.  No individual or collective body can measure the extent to which Baltimore’s policing systems have been reformed better than our city’s residents themselves.

​

We look forward to continuing to work with the Department of Justice and the City of Baltimore toward systemic police reforms that promote transparency, accountability, and true community policing. Please don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss these requests in further detail at ealex@wearecasa.org

CJSJ members include:

1199 SEIU, ACLU of Maryland, Amnesty International, Baltimore Algebra Project, Beats, Rhymes, and Relief, Baltimore United for Change, CASA, Citibloc, Communities United, Council on American-Islamic Relations, Equity Matters, Empowerment Temple, Freddie Gray Project, Fusion Group, Jews United for Justice, Justice League, Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle, Making Change, Maryland State Conference NAACP, No Boundaries Coalition, Peace by Piece, Pleasant Hope Baptist Church, Power Inside, SEIU 32BJ, Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ), Southern Engagement Foundation, Ujima People’s Progress, and Universal Zulu Nation.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT,

ERIKA HERHANDEZ

ehernandez@justicesafetyandjobs.org

ELIZABETH ALEX

ealex@wearecasa.org

CJSJ STATEMENT

​

We are at your disposal for interviews to comment on DOJ findings and to talk about the straightforward recommendations prepared by our coalition.

While the findings by the DOJ shed light on important systematic deficiencies in BPD’s policies and identifies a lack of accountability in police practices, the CJSJ coalition is cautiously optimistic about their implications and investigation. CJSJ stresses the need to involve Baltimore community in the Civilian Review Board (CRB), including the capacity to participate at the consent decree negotiations and the need to monitor police practices to ensure that critical deficiencies are addressed.

The CJSJ coalition calls the DOJ to further consider community recommendations and to include our members and community leaders in the consent decree negotiations. CJSJ is a coalition of more than 30 organizations and believe that involving all community leaders and members in the consent decree process will not only ensure representation but also will enable the healing of community-police relations. We look forward to working with Department of Justice, Baltimore Police Department and the Baltimore City Council in addressing the systemic deficiencies in Baltimore policing. The findings represent an opportunity to restore community-police relations that should be seized and should not be taken lightly.

##

STATEMENT

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT,

ERIKA HERHANDEZ

ehernandez@justicesafetyandjobs.org

ELIZABETH ALEX

ealex@wearecasa.org

​

BALTIMORE (July 19) _ The Campaign for Justice, Safety & Jobs (CJSJ), a coalition of over 30 grassroots organizations, expresses its enormous disappointment and serious concerns on the exoneration of all charges of police brutality to the two remaining police officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray and calls on Commissioner Kevin Davis to ensure that justice is served.

“Once again, a young black man has died in police custody and nobody is being held accountable,” said Donna Brow, Director of Making Change, “All eyes now turn to Commissioner Davis to make sure that these officers are held accountable through the internal police discipline process.”

Officers Garrett Miller, William Porter and Sgt. Alicia White, were acquitted today of all charges including misconduct, reckless endangerment, among others. Officer Porter failed to secure Gray with a seat belt and did not listen to his call for a medic. Porter was scheduled for retrial in September after a hung jury last December, but this move cancels his retrial. 

This move reveals what community members have realized for decades, that the existing justice system is not set up to deliver justice for victims of police misconduct and abuse. State Attorney Marilyn Mosby’s affirms that a major hurdle to justice is a system in which police investigate other police officers, “what we realized very early on in this case was that police investigating police, whether they’re friends or mainly their colleagues, was problematic.”

CJSJ calls on Police Commissioner Kevin Davis to open disciplinary investigations immediately, now that criminal process has run its course.  The internal discipline process is likely to face similar structural hurdles to police accountability, limited by the existing collective bargaining agreement between the city and the police union and the state Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights, both of which have been the subject of multiple reform efforts this year.  

Coalition members released recommendations last week to key changes to the police contract that would allow for greater civilian oversight and transparency.  CJSJ looks forward to continuing dialogue with Commissioner Davis and the Rawlings Blake to discuss these and other  reforms that will allow for police accountability and transparency in the police discipline process.

PRESS RELEASE 

​

​

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

Meredith Curtis - 443 310 9946

Erika Hernandez - 202 594 5099

Phoebe Plagens -  212 965 2235

​

The letter to Mayor Rawlings-Blake and Comissioner Davis is here.
 

​

​

​

BALTIMORE (JULY 21)  _   In a letter to Baltimore City Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake and Police Commissioner Kevin Davis, a citywide coalition of advocates urge city leaders to ensure that progress towards police accountability adopted during the 2016 Maryland General Assembly is upheld during the city’s ongoing contract negotiations with the Baltimore City Fraternal Order of Police Union. Members of the Campaign for Justice, Safety, and Jobs (CJSJ) argue that historic changes to the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights – the first since in over 40 years – were the result of a groundswell of political and community support for increasing police accountability and civilian oversight in policing after the death of Freddie Gray in April of 2015. The failure to allow these reforms to take effect in Baltimore would be a significant setback to reform efforts.

“Legislators in Annapolis began to address the structural impediments that the current LEOBOR poses to real accountability,” said David Rocah, Senior Staff Attorney with the ACLU of Maryland. “The clear intent of the legislation signed by Governor Hogan in May was to increase civilian oversight and transparency in police discipline as a key step towards rebuilding community trust.”

The reforms to the LEOBOR passed by the general assembly were led by State Senator Catherine Pugh and State Delegate Curt Anderson, and were unanimously supported by the entire Baltimore City Delegation as well as the Rawlings Blake Administration. The state legislation increases civilian oversight by authorizing local jurisdictions to permit two civilians to serve on the hearing boards that decide whether officers in Maryland can be disciplined by their employers. The legislation still empowers police unions, however, to block this significant reform through provisions in the union contract.

“The existing police union contract is one of the primary obstacles to police accountability in Baltimore,” said Monique Dixon, Deputy Director of Policy and Senior Counsel for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. “Provisions in the current contract that establish additional barriers to accountability beyond those required by the LEOBOR are a counterproductive hindrance to fair and responsible policing practices in Baltimore City.”

In the letter, advocates urge the Mayor and Police Commissioner to use their bargaining power to negotiate a police union contract that reflects the will of Baltimore’s residents and elected officials as a critical step towards systemic police reform. The letter comes just days after the acquittal of the highest ranking officer charged in the death of Freddie Gray, as the public attention shifts to the internal discipline process.

​

“History has proven that in low income Black and Brown neighborhoods, officers have no fear of discipline, and why should they?” said Ray Kelly, Community Organizer with the No Boundaries Coalition. “In Baltimore bad cops are not disciplined because the trial board is so heavily weighted on the side of the FOP.”

Advocates are hopeful that Mayor Rawlings Blake and Commissioner Davis will heed the community outcry for reforms to the police discipline process, beginning at the bargaining table.

​

​

###

​

​

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MOR INFORMATION CONTACT
ERIKA HERNANDEZ, CJSJ-CASA, 301-717-4492, ehernandez@justicesafetyandjobs.org
ELIZABETH ALEX 443-802-2933, ealex@wearecasa.org

 

Coalition of Grassroots Organizations Demands Baltimore Police Union to Cease Blocking Police Reform Efforts

Download the amicus brief here.

WHAT: Coalition of grassroots organization demands Baltimore police union (FOP) to cease blocking police reform efforts.
 
WHO: Members of the Campaign for Justice, Safety & Jobs (CJSJ), a coalition of grassroots organizations.
 
WHEN: Thursday July 14, 2016

 

BALTIMORE _ In response to Baltimore police union’s lawsuit against the Civilian Review Board and Baltimore Police Department, the Campaign for Justice Safety & Jobs and the American Civil Liberties Union filed a friend-of-the-court brief Tuesday urging the court to dismiss the lawsuit.
CJSJ and the ACLU contend the lawsuit would essentially wipe out any effort to enact institutional changes leading to police accountability and transparency.

This spring, the police union filed a lawsuit seeking to prevent the police department from providing internal affairs police records to Baltimore’s Civilian Review Board. The aim was to disable the civilian review board from carrying out its responsibility in bringing much-needed transparency to Baltimore policing.

In its current structure, the civilian review board makes recommendations based on its independent review of internal affairs records, which the police department has the responsibility to furnish.

“It’s extremely important to implement a systemic reform that allows for greater transparency,” Walter-Rodriguez said. “Latinos and African-Americans should be comfortable filing cases when they are abused by the police. Instead, they are terrified to do so because they feel justice does not serve them, as seen in the recent exonerations of police misconduct and abuse here in Baltimore.”

Since the death of Gray and disturbances in Baltimore, CJSJ and ACLU have worked jointly to create meaningful police reform. This spring, the governor signed a bill that allowed civilians on boards that review complaints against police, also allowing local officials to determine whether to add civilians to police trials.

The friend-of-the-court brief comes at a critical moment when recent rulings of the Freddie Gray case have exonerated police officials and events in Louisiana and Minnesota show that police shootings against black men continue nationwide.

To learn more about the CJSJ go to: http://www.justicesafetyandjobs.org/
 
###
 
 
The Campaign for Justice, Safety, and Jobs (CJSJ) is a diverse group of community, faith, civil rights, and community leaders who have come together today to raise our voices together in a call for Justice, Safety, and Jobs. The group convened in April of 2015 in the wake of Freddie Gray’s murder at the hands of Baltimore Police officers to address the systemic issues that were unearthed in Freddie Gray’s death and the subsequent uprising throughout the city. To date, the campaign includes over 30 powerful organizations representing thousands of Marylanders from Baltimore, including a diverse combination of local grassroots youth organizations, policy advocates, faith instructions, and labor unions. CJSJ members include: 1199 SEIU, ACLU of Maryland, Amnesty International, Baltimore Algebra Project, Beats, Rhymes, and Relief, Bmore United, CASA, Citibloc, Communities United, Council on American-Islamic Relations, Equity Matters, Empowerment Temple, Freddie Gray Project, Fusion Group, Jews United for Justice, Justice League, Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle, Making Change, Maryland State Conference NAACP, Peace by Piece, Pleasant Hope Baptist Church, Power Inside, SEIU 32BJ, Southern Engagement Foundation, Ujima People’s Progress, and Universal Zulu Nation.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Erika Hernandez, CJSJ-CASA, 301-717-4492, ehernandez@justicesafetyandjobs.org

Elizabeth Alex 443-802-2933, ealex@wearecasa.org

​

Baltimore, MD –The Campaign for Justice, Safety, and Jobs is deeply troubled by the failure of our justice system to find Officer Goodson guilty on all charges. This ruling highlights the need to continue working on ensuring police reform at Baltimore City. Most importantly, it underlines the critical need for deep behavioral change in the Baltimore Police Department culture. Arguments by the defense and former police officers that policies and procedure are “up to the discretion of officers” are seriously disturbing to the Baltimore community and completely unacceptable. The fact that police officers used discretion in failing to secure Freddie Gray with a seat belt  is outrageous and in this case had tragic consequences.  Unfortunately, Gray’s family and the Baltimore community continue grieving his death and waiting for answers from Baltimore City’s government.

“Today’s verdict is yet another failure of our judicial system”, said CJSJ member Donna Brown, director of Making Change, “we know that our community will never be completely safe until we overhaul the systems that allow police officers in our city to act with impunity, putting the lives of young black and brown men in our city at risk every day.”

During the 2016 Legislative session the Maryland General Assembly took steps toward reforming our police system by amending the state Law Officers Bill of Rights to allow local jurisdictions to include voting civilians on police trail boards.  Today’s ruling underscores the need for Baltimore leaders to act decisively to implement this legislation at the local level to ensure some level of accountability and transparency in the way officers are disciplined. For too long, Baltimore’s neighborhoods have seen a revolving door of police officers with histories of misconduct and community complaints coming back to the neighborhoods.   Now that Officer Goodson’s criminal trial is over, all eyes will be on the police department to see how he is disciplined internally.  

“We look forward to working with Senator Pugh and the incoming city council to pass local legislation authorizing voting civilians on police trial boards,” said Gustavo Torres, Executive Director of CJSJ member CASA de Maryland. “She was a champion on this issue in Annapolis and we need her to continue to lead on police reform in Baltimore.”  

The Campaign for Justice, Safety, and Jobs looks forward to working with Police Commissioner Kevin Davis as well as the current and the incoming Mayor and City Council members to implement meaningful police reform that effectively addresses police brutality at its source and encourages full transparency and accountability in all cases of police misconduct. CJSJ is also deeply engaged in campaigns to shift the economic and social inequities that persist in Baltimore and that we believe are fundamentally linked to the systemic police violence suffered by Black and Brown people in the city.  

To learn more about the CJSJ go to: http://www.justicesafetyandjobs.org/

###

The Campaign for Justice, Safety, and Jobs (CJSJ) is a diverse group of community, faith, civil rights, and community leaders who have come together today to raise our voices together in a call for Justice, Safety, and Jobs. The group convened in April of 2015 in the wake of Freddie Gray’s murder at the hands of Baltimore Police officers to address the systemic issues that were unearthed in Freddie Gray’s death and the subsequent uprising throughout the city. To date, the campaign includes over 30 powerful organizations representing thousands of Marylanders from Baltimore, including a diverse combination of local grassroots youth organizations, policy advocates, faith instructions, and labor unions.

CJSJ members include:

1199 SEIU, ACLU of Maryland, Amnesty International, Baltimore Algebra Project, Beats, Rhymes, and Relief, Bmore United, CASA, Citibloc, Communities United, Council on American-Islamic Relations, Equity Matters, Empowerment Temple, Freddie Gray Project, Fusion Group, Jews United for Justice, Justice League, Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle, Making Change, Maryland State Conference NAACP, Peace by Piece, Pleasant Hope Baptist Church, Power Inside, SEIU 32BJ, Southern Engagement Foundation, Ujima People’s Progress, and Universal Zulu Nation.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Erika Hernandez, CJSJ-CASA, 301-717-4492, ehernandez@justicesafetyandjobs.org

Elizabeth Alex 443-802-2933, ealex@wearecasa.org

Baltimore, MD – The Campaign for Justice, Safety & Jobs (CJSJ) is deeply troubled by the failure of our justice system to find Officer Goodson guilty on all the charges he has been accused of, including second degree murder. This ruling highlights the need to continue working on ensuring police reform at Baltimore City. Most importantly, it underlines the critical need for deep behavioral change in the Baltimore Police Department culture and in the community. Arguments by the defense and former police officers that policies and procedure are “up to the discretion of officers” are seriously disturbing to the Baltimore community and completely unacceptable. The fact that police officers used discretion in not having listened to Gray’s call for a medic is outrageous and in this case had tragic consequences.  Unfortunately, Gray’s family and the Baltimore community continue grieving his death and waiting for answers from Baltimore City’s government.)

“Today’s verdict is yet another failure of our judicial system, said CJSJ member Donna Brown, director of Making Change, “we know that our community will never be completely safe until we overhaul the systems that allow police officers in our city to act with impunity, putting the lives of young black and brown men in our city at risk every day.”

During the 2016 Legislative session the Maryland General Assembly took steps toward reforming our police system by amending the state Law Officers Bill of Rights to allow local jurisdictions to include voting civilians on police trail boards.  Today’s ruling underscores the need for Baltimore leaders to act decisively to implement this legislation at the local level to ensure some level of accountability and transparency in the way officers are disciplined. For too long, Baltimore’s neighborhoods have seen a revolving door of police officers with histories of misconduct and community complaints coming back to the neighborhoods.  Now that Officer Goodson’s criminal trial is over, all eyes will be on the police department to see how he is disciplined internally.  

“We look forward to working with Senator Pugh and the incoming city council to pass local legislation authorizing voting civilians on police trial boards,” said Gustavo Torres, Executive Director of CJSJ member CASA de Maryland. “She was a champion on this issue in Annapolis and we need her to continue to lead on police reform in Baltimore.”  

The Campaign for Justice, Safety, and Jobs looks forward to working with Police Commissioner Kevin Davis as well as the current and the incoming Mayor and City Council members to implement meaningful police reform that effectively addresses police brutality at its source and encourages full transparency and accountability in all cases of police misconduct. CJSJ is also deeply engaged in campaigns to shift the economic and social inequities that persist in Baltimore and that we believe are fundamentally linked to the systemic police violence suffered by Black and Brown people in the city.  

To learn more about the CJSJ go to: http://www.justicesafetyandjobs.org/

###

The Campaign for Justice, Safety, and Jobs (CJSJ) is a diverse group of community, faith, civil rights, and community leaders who have come together today to raise our voices together in a call for Justice, Safety, and Jobs. The group convened in April of 2015 in the wake of Freddie Gray’s murder at the hands of Baltimore Police officers to address the systemic issues that were unearthed in Freddie Gray’s death and the subsequent uprising throughout the city. To date, the campaign includes over 30 powerful organizations representing thousands of Marylanders from Baltimore, including a diverse combination of local grassroots youth organizations, policy advocates, faith instructions, and labor unions.

CJSJ members include:

1199 SEIU, ACLU of Maryland, Amnesty International, Baltimore Algebra Project, Beats, Rhymes, and Relief, Bmore United, CASA, Citibloc, Communities United, Council on American-Islamic Relations, Equity Matters, Empowerment Temple, Freddie Gray Project, Fusion Group, Jews United for Justice, Justice League, Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle, Making Change, Maryland State Conference NAACP, Peace by Piece, Pleasant Hope Baptist Church, Power Inside, SEIU 32BJ, Southern Engagement Foundation, Ujima People’s Progress, and Universal Zulu Nation.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Erika Hernandez, CJSJ-CASA, 202-594-5099, ehernandez@justicesafetyandjobs.org

​

Elizabeth Alex 443-802-2933, ealex@wearecasa.org

​

Baltimore, MD – The Campaign for Justice, Safety & Jobs (CJSJ) applauds Governor Hogan for signing into law the police accountability bill passed by the Maryland General Assembly this session. The legislation represents the first change to the Maryland Law Enforcement Officer’s Bill of Rights in decades and opens a critical door for additional reforms at both the state and local levels. CJSJ acknowledges the hard work of the legislative workgroup that crafted initial recommendations for legislation, chaired by Delegate Anderson and Senator Pugh, as well as the thousands of Marylanders who made this victory possible. The bill is adopted one year after the unrest related to the death of Freddie Gray at the hands of Baltimore police officers.

​

“Maryland takes a strong step forward today, by signing into law the first changes to a policing system that was clearly broken,” said Lydia Walther-Rodriguez, Lead Organizer for CASA.

The Coalition will continue to advocate and engage local and state officials as the legislation moves into the implementation phase.  A key provision of the legislation will allow local jurisdictions to put two voting civilians on the police trail board that makes disciplinary decisions, and CJSJ plans to launch a campaign to ensure that Baltimore City is among the first Maryland jurisdictions to do so.

“We know that the community will never trust a system where police are policing themselves,” said Dayvon Love, Public Policy director for Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle. “We plan to work with our local elected officials to ensure that the balance of power is fundamentally shifted through civilian involvement in police discipline.”
 

While the bill represents a critical step toward reform, the Baltimore City Police Department remains under investigation by the Department of Justice and the trials of Police Officers in the case of Freddie Gray’s death continue.  The Campaign for Justice, Safety, and Jobs looks forward to working with the current and the incoming Mayor and City Council members to implement meaningful police reform that effectively addresses police brutality at its source and encourages full transparency and accountability in all cases of police misconduct. CJSJ is also deeply engaged in campaigns such as the Fight for $15 to shift the economic and social inequities that persist in Baltimore and that we believe are fundamentally linked to the systemic police violence suffered by Black and Brown people in our City.  

To learn more about the CJSJ go to: http://www.justicesafetyandjobs.org/

###

The Campaign for Justice, Safety, and Jobs (CJSJ) is a diverse group of community, faith, civil rights, and community leaders who have come together today to raise our voices together in a call for Justice, Safety, and Jobs. The group convened in April of 2015 in the wake of Freddie Gray’s murder at the hands of Baltimore Police officers to address the systemic issues that were unearthed in Freddie Gray’s death and the subsequent uprising throughout the city. To date, the campaign includes over 30 powerful organizations representing thousands of Marylanders from Baltimore, including a diverse combination of local grassroots youth organizations, policy advocates, faith instructions, and labor unions. CJSJ members include: 1199 SEIU, ACLU of Maryland, Amnesty International, Baltimore Algebra Project, Beats, Rhymes, and Relief, Bmore United, CASA, Citibloc, Communities United, Council on American-Islamic Relations, Equity Matters, Empowerment Temple, Freddie Gray Project, Fusion Group, Jews United for Justice, Justice League, Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle, Making Change, Maryland State Conference NAACP, Peace by Piece, Pleasant Hope Baptist Church, Power Inside, SEIU 32BJ, Southern Engagement Foundation, Ujima People’s Progress, and Universal Zulu Nation.

PRESS ADVISORY

Contacts: Erika Hernandez, CJSJ-CASA, 202-594-5099, ehernandez@justicesafetyandjobs.org

Elizabeth Alex, CASA, 443-802-2933, ealex@wearecasa.org 

WHAT: Press Conference to launch Early Voter Drive to impact police reform efforts in Baltimore City.

WHO: Leaders of the Campaign for Justice, Safety & Jobs (CJSJ), first-time voters, and community members.

WHEN: Thursday, April 14th, 2016. Press conference starts at 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: Public Safety Training Center, 3500 W Northern Parkway, Baltimore, MD. 

BALTIMORE, MD – The Campaign for Justice, Safety & Jobs, a coalition of grassroots organizations, will be announcing an early vote drive for police reform during a press conference at 10:00 a.m. this Thursday, April 14.  The group will issue a citywide “people’s findings” report of systemic police abuse in Baltimore with recommendations for critical reforms that the city’s incoming Mayor and City Council should implement.  The group will also make recommendations to the current and incoming administrations regarding civilian involvement in the ongoing negotiation process with the Department of Justice.

The drive comes just days after the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation allowing local jurisdictions to adopt bills requiring voting civilians on police trial boards. It will also be held weeks before a formal report of findings by the Department of Justice detailing patterns and practice of police misconduct in Baltimore.

“Police reform and civilian oversight in policing is the single most important issue that has motivated people to register to vote in our community,” said Ray Kelly, organizer with CJSJ member No Boundaries Coalition.

The coalition has registered over 3,000 new voters including ex-felons, youth, and newly naturalized citizens, and plans to encourage voters to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming citywide primary elections. At the press conference, police abuse victims and newly registered voters will share their testimonies. Organizations will announce details of an early voting drive to get more minorities involved in the voting process, including a schedule of shuttles to early vote locations from local high schools, block parties, and community events.  The coalition will also launch a public education effort to ensure eligible voters understand the new same-day voter registration law and are able to register on-site at early vote locations.

Learn more about CJSJ: http://www.justicesafetyandjobs.org/

###

The Campaign for Justice, Safety, and Jobs (CJSJ) is a diverse group of community, faith, civil rights, and community leaders who have come together today to raise our voices together in a call for Justice, Safety, and Jobs. The group convened in April of 2015 in the wake of Freddie Gray’s murder at the hands of Baltimore Police officers to address the systemic issues that were unearthed in Freddie Gray’s death and the subsequent uprising throughout the city. To date, the campaign includes over 30 powerful organizations representing thousands of Marylanders from Baltimore, including a diverse combination of local grassroots youth organizations, policy advocates, faith instructions, and labor unions. CJSJ members include: 1199 SEIU, ACLU of Maryland, Amnesty International, Baltimore Algebra Project, Beats, Rhymes, and Relief, Bmore United, CASA, Citibloc, Communities United, Council on American-Islamic Relations, Equity Matters, Empowerment Temple, Freddie Gray Project, Fusion Group, Jews United for Justice, Justice League, Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle, Making Change, Maryland State Conference NAACP, Peace by Piece, Pleasant Hope Baptist Church, Power Inside, SEIU 32BJ, Southern Engagement Foundation, Ujima People’s Progress, and Universal Zulu Nation.

THIS IS A CRITICAL MOMENT

Only 3 Days Left for Police Accountability Bill to Pass

CALL YOUR MD SENATOR NOW!!!

The current police reform bill has stalled in the Senate, but is still alive due to the support by some MD Senators. However, we need your help in calling your Senator to favorably adopt this bill. The bill includes strong civilian oversight, having investigatory and voting power on police trial boards during investigations of police abuse & misconduct. The Maryland Legislative Session will end on Monday , April 11 - so our elected officials only have 3 days left to pass police reform, and they need to hear from all of us. 

Take a few minutes and call now! Here's a script for you to use in support of SB1026 and strong civilian oversight of police:

"Hi, my name is _____________ and I'm a constituent of the senator's. I am a strong supporter of progressive police reform. I want to make sure they know that I believe any police reform legislation must include civilian participation and oversight i local policing. I hope the Senator will support SB1026 and push to make sure it includes civilian voice and vote in police discipline."

Call your SENATOR NOW! Even if you leave a message it's a big help to the cause! And please let me know that you've called and what you hear from the person you speak with!

If you're not sure who your senator is, you can look them up here: http://mdelect.net/

WHAT: Rally outside Baltimore City Hall followed by caravan o Annapolis to rally for police reform.

WHO: Leaders from the Baltimore United for Change (BUC) coalition, along with other member organizations supporting police accountability including CASA; Leaders of Beautiful Struggle (LBS), Campaign for Justice, Safety & Jobs (CJSJ); No Boundaries Coalition; and community members.

WHEN: Thursday, April 7th, 2016. Press conference starts at 5:30 p.m. Rally in Annapolis begins at 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Baltimore City Hall, 100 Holliday Street, Baltimore, MD. Annapolis Rally is in Lawyers Mall.

BALTIMORE, MD – At 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 7th, the grassroots coalition BUC will be rallying to make police accountability a reality in Baltimore City and Maryland.  BUC will be accompanied by other grassroots organizations interested in police reform. Following the press conference in Baltimore, activists will caravan to Annapolis.

Following the death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore one year ago, police reform has been the subject of significant debate at both the city and state levels, yet no major reforms have been implemented to date.  The rally falls during the last few days of legislative session in Annapolis, to underscore the urgency of passing significant reform this year.  After a summer legislative workgroup session, the police reform bill had initially received widespread support at the House Judiciary Committee and crossed over to the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, but has stalled in the Senate. 

This lack of legislative action on a critical moral and ethical issue in the Maryland Senate, has triggered an outpouring of concern and frustration, as grassroots communities continue to struggle with policing systems that are not held in check. Between 2010 and 2014, 109 people died after encounters with the Maryland police. But the trend has clearly not stopped. Just in 2015, at least 21 people died in encounters with Maryland police. 81% of those who died were Black and nearly half of them were unarmed.

The discussion over police accountability comes at a critical moment when the bill has received strong approval by several legislators but not enough to make police accountability a reality. Many incidents of police brutality remain unreported and numerous victims are looking to the legislature to reform the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights so that officers who commit police brutality can be held accountable for their actions. With the mayoral primary only weeks away, Baltimore city residents are looking both to their state legislators to enact significant statewide reforms and to their next mayor of Baltimore to implement critical reforms to the policing system. Doing so will restore trust by the community.

Learn more about BUC: http://bmoreunited.org/

Learn more about CJSJ: http://www.justicesafetyandjobs.org/

###

Baltimore United for Change (BUC) is a coalition of organizations and activists with a long track record of working for social justice in Baltimore. The BUC coalition came together three days after the murder of Freddie Gray, and hit the ground running. Through our coalition and with your support, we have been able to raise over $100,000 for jail support. Of those arrested 229 were released, 97 wear bailed out and 33 people are still in jail (19 of them have bails greater than $50,000; 1 for $500,000). When Baltimore City schools were closed and throughout the week our partners provided safe spaces and fed thousands of students and families throughout the city.

CJSJ is a diverse group of community, faith, civil rights, and community leaders who have come together today to raise our voices together in a call for Justice, Safety, and Jobs. The group convened in April of 2015 in the wake of Freddie Gray’s murder at the hands of Baltimore Police officers to address the systemic issues that were unearthed in Freddie Gray’s death and the subsequent uprising throughout the city. To date, the campaign includes over 30 powerful organizations representing thousands of Marylanders from Baltimore, including a diverse combination of local grassroots youth organizations, policy advocates, faith instructions, and labor unions. CJSJ members include: 1199 SEIU, ACLU of Maryland, Amnesty International, Baltimore Algebra Project, Beats, Rhymes, and Relief, Bmore United, CASA, Citibloc, Communities United, Council on American-Islamic Relations, Equity Matters, Empowerment Temple, Freddie Gray Project, Fusion Group, Jews United for Justice, Justice League, Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle, Making Change, Maryland State Conference NAACP, Peace by Piece, Pleasant Hope Baptist Church, Power Inside, SEIU 32BJ, Southern Engagement Foundation, Ujima People’s Progress, and Universal Zulu Nation.

WHAT: Coalition of Baltimore Grassroots Organizations Urges Baltimore City and MD Senate to Ensure Police Accountability and Address Widespread Police Brutality in Maryland

WHO: Leaders of the Campaign for Justice, Safety and Jobs (CJSJ) and community members will be holding interviews.

WHEN: Monday, March 28, 2016 at around 2:30 p.m. (Or upon closing of the Baltimore City Delegation meeting.)  

WHERE: Miller Senate Office Building, 11 Bladen St., Annapolis, Maryland.

Baltimore, MD – At around 2:30 p.m. on Monday, March 28, CJSJ and community members will be making a joint statement urging Baltimore City and members of the Judicial Proceedings Committee to adopt Bill SB 1026. CJSJ is urging policymakers to pass bill with amendments that would make significant strides toward police accountability by increasing civilian oversight in police discipline in Baltimore City and the State of Maryland.

“Policing is a public good and citizens should have the right to participate in ensuring that police officers who betray the public’s trust are held accountable for their actions” said Ezekiel Jackson, organizer with Baltimore based Campaign for Justice, Safety, and Jobs, “We don’t trust the police to police themselves.”

CJSJ’s statement will be issued almost one year after incidents of brutality that led to the death of Freddie Gray, a 25 year-old African American, in Baltimore City. His death caused unrest and protests by human rights advocates throughout Maryland.  After a lengthy summer legislative workgroup chaired by Baltimore delegation chairs Sen. Cathy Pugh and Del. Curt Anderson, SB1026 and its companion bill HB1016 were introduced to address key provisions in the state’s Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights, widely considered among the most restrictive in the country, to increase transparency and accountability in policing, in addition to implementing broad reforms in the areas of community policing and training.

Despite the events of last year, abuse at the hands of police has not stopped. In 2015, at least 21 people died in encounters with police throughout Maryland. Of them, 81% were Black. While it remains unknown whether police officers were disciplined, refusal to release information is a uniform practice by police departments. A study of victims of police brutality conducted by CJSJ member organization No Boundaries Coalition in West Baltimore also revealed that 83% of informants declared that the actions of officials were against social codes of conduct and even hostile.

CJSJ will be making a statement urging Baltimore City delegates and members of the Senate’s Judicial Proceedings Committee to adopt meaningful legislation to address these issues. Today, police officers are the only ones to sit on internal trial boards to determine discipline in cases of police misconduct, and the Baltimore City Civilian Review Board lacks investigatory power necessary to provide a robust alternative investigation into complaints.  Advocates urge legislators to consider critical amendments to SB1026 to ensure transparency and accountability through civilian oversight in police discipline.

To learn more about the CJSJ go to: http://www.justicesafetyandjobs.org/

###

The Campaign for Justice, Safety, and Jobs (CJSJ) is a diverse group of community, faith, civil rights, and community leaders who have come together today to raise our voices together in a call for Justice, Safety, and Jobs. The group convened in April of 2015 in the wake of Freddie Gray’s murder at the hands of Baltimore Police officers to address the systemic issues that were unearthed in Freddie Gray’s death and the subsequent uprising throughout the city. To date, the campaign includes over 30 powerful organizations representing thousands of Marylanders from Baltimore, including a diverse combination of local grassroots youth organizations, policy advocates, faith instructions, and labor unions. CJSJ members include: 1199 SEIU, ACLU of Maryland, Amnesty International, Baltimore Algebra Project, Beats, Rhymes, and Relief, Bmore United, CASA, Citibloc, Communities United, Council on American-Islamic Relations, Equity Matters, Empowerment Temple, Freddie Gray Project, Fusion Group, Jews United for Justice, Justice League, Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle, Making Change, Maryland State Conference NAACP, Peace by Piece, Pleasant Hope Baptist Church, Power Inside, SEIU 32BJ, Southern Engagement Foundation, Ujima People’s Progress, and Universal Zulu Nation.

Under Maryland law only sworn police officers can decide whether an officer should be disciplined. Today, March 22nd, legislation will be reviewed in the MD Senate, with the possibility of lifting this restriction to allow civilians to participate on police trial boards. Yesterday, a victory was won but not the battle. MD House of Delegates amended Bill HB1016 to include a civilian review board, extended timing for filing complaints, granted whistle blower protections, among other amendments. 

However, as Bill HB1016 goes on to the Senate floor for final voting & approval, we need your help in calling Senators to approve this bill and its amendments.

Help us support these practical legislative changes that can effectively address police abuse & misconduct in MD.

CALL & TWEET YOUR SENATOR NOW!, by calling your Senator.

Today, under Maryland law only sworn police officers can decide whether an officer should be disciplined. Legislation is currently being reviewed in the MD House of Delegates, with the possibility of lifting this restriction to allow civilians to participate on police trial boards. 

Maryland URGENTLY needs to implement an effective police reform. One that reflects the interests of the people, that prevents police abuse and events like the death of Freddie Gray. Help us.

If you agree that police should not be policing themselves, and that civilians should have a voice and a vote in police oversight…

CALL & TWEET YOUR DELEGATE NOW!

Between 2010 and 2014, 109 died after encounters with the police in Maryland:

• Trayvon Scott,

• George V. King,

• Tyrone West,

• Anthony Anderson,

• William Torbit,

• among others.

Today, under Maryland law only sworn police officers can decide whether an officer should be disciplined. Legislation is currently being reviewed in the MD House of Delegates and could lift this restriction to allow civilians to participate on police trial boards, with the possibility of having a vote in the discipline process.

Maryland needs to implement an effective police reform. One that reflects the interests of the people, and that prevents police abuse.

Help us.

If you agree that police should not be policing themselves, and that civilians should have a voice and a vote in police oversight…

CALL & TWEET YOUR DELEGATE NOW!

Del. Curt Anderson - @CurtAnderson43
Del. Sandy Rosenberg - @Delsandy 

Del. Marice Morales - @Marice_Morales
Del. Charles Sydnor III - @CharlesSydnor3d

Del. William Smith Jr - @Willcsmithjr

Del. Kathleen Dumais - @KathleenDumais1

#MDpolitics #MDpolicereform HS1016

Bring Justice to Justice!

WHAT: Panel on Intersections of Race, Immigration and State-supported Police

WHO: Leaders from the Campaign for Justice, Safety and Jobs (CJSJ) and community members.

WHEN: Thursday, March 10th, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.  

WHERE: Earl S. Richardson Library, Blount Room (Room 120), Morgan State University

Baltimore, MD – At 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 10th, CJSJ and community members will be participating in the Panel on Intersections of Race, Immigration and State-supported Police as part of the 2016 National Foreign Language Week hosted by Morgan’s State University Department of Foreign Language & International Studies.

The panel will be presented at a time of Mayoral elections in Maryland and an intense debate over police accountability. CJSJ will present their ideas on police accountability with the aim of lifting restrictions to allow civilians to participate on police trial boards, with the possibility of having civilians the right to vote in the discipline process. Stronger provisions would give teeth to the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights (LEOBOR), ensuring that police officers act respecting human rights. In the past few days, CJSJ had a strong presence at the MD House and Senate Hearings while presenting testimonials by victims of police abuse. Less than a year after the death of Freddie Gray and the turmoil that unraveled in Baltimore, the unrest and the causes of violence are remain unanswered.

CJSJ will be also presenting its community work in ensuring that comprehensive immigration reform is adopted, in view of the most recent declarations by the Supreme Court of Justice. The Supreme Court will be assessing illegal immigration this summer, particularly considering the adoption of the Deferred Action for Parental Accountability program (DAPA) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) by President Obama’s executive order. These two programs have been challenged by Texas and more than two dozen states claiming abuse of executive authority.

Maryland is at a crossroads of deciding whether it improves the quality of its democracy by allowing civilians to participate in police oversight and integrating immigrants to the community.

To learn more about the CJSJ go to: http://www.justicesafetyandjobs.org/

###

The Campaign for Justice, Safety, and Jobs (CJSJ) is a diverse group of community, faith, civil rights, and community leaders who have come together today to raise our voices together in a call for Justice, Safety, and Jobs. The group convened in April of 2015 in the wake of Freddie Gray’s murder at the hands of Baltimore Police officers to address the systemic issues that were unearthed in Freddie Gray’s death and the subsequent uprising throughout the city. To date, the campaign includes over 30 powerful organizations representing thousands of Marylanders from Baltimore, including a diverse combination of local grassroots youth organizations, policy advocates, faith instructions, and labor unions. CJSJ members include: 1199 SEIU, ACLU of Maryland, Amnesty International, Baltimore Algebra Project, Beats, Rhymes, and Relief, Bmore United, CASA, Citibloc, Communities United, Council on American-Islamic Relations, Equity Matters, Empowerment Temple, Freddie Gray Project, Fusion Group, Jews United for Justice, Justice League, Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle, Making Change, Maryland State Conference NAACP, Peace by Piece, Pleasant Hope Baptist Church, Power Inside, SEIU 32BJ, Southern Engagement Foundation, Ujima People’s Progress, and Universal Zulu Nation.

WHAT: Release Report of Patterns of Police Misconduct collected by No Boundaries Coalition in West Baltimore for a stronger police accountability legislation be passed at Maryland State in 2016.

WHO: Activists from the No Boundaries Coalition, including its member organizations Brown Memorial Park Avenue Presbyterian Church, Booker T. Washington Middle School, Councilman Bill Cole’s office, Druid Heights Community Development Corporation, Eutaw Place Improvement Association, Eutaw Marshburn Elementary School #11, Furman Templeton Preparatory Academy, The Garden Community Church, Jubilee Arts, Newborn Holistic Ministries, Mount Royal Improvement Association, Midtown Community Benefits District, Memorial Episcopal Church, New Song Urban Ministries, OYO Traditions Cultural Arts and Wellness Institute, Promise Heights, Resident Action Committee, Reservoir Hill Improvement Council, The Samaritan Community, and others.

WHEN: Tuesday March 8th at 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: Upton Triangle Park at Pennsylvania Ave and Fremont (rain location St Peter Claver church, 1526 N Fremont)

BALTIMORE, MD – A Central West Baltimore resident-led advocacy organization, The No Boundaries Coalition, is releasing a report on police misconduct in West Baltimore. The 25 page report chronicles 57 incidents of police misconduct told by 39 witnesses, and ends in the group’s recommendations for policy change. Stories include incidents of physical assault, verbal disrespect, police non-response to emergency calls, corruption and harassment.

The report will be released during a press conference on Tuesday March 8th at 5:30pm at Upton Triangle Park at Pennsylvania Ave and Fremont (rain location St Peter Claver church, 1526 N Fremont). The park sits 5 blocks from the site of civil unrest in Baltimore this past April following the death of the 25-year-old Sandtown resident Freddie Gray while in police custody.

Nearly a year later, many of the questions Gray’s death and subsequent unrest brought up for Baltimore City are still unanswered. The six officers indicted over the incident are still waiting delayed trials, the city is in the middle of an intensely competitive and crowded Mayoral race, state lawmakers are considering measures that could improve police accountability and the Department Of Justice is in the middle of its investigation into the Baltimore City Police Department.

At the press conference, community members who have witnessed or experienced police misconduct will tell their personal stories. Copies of the report will be available to press and the general public. Leaders from the No Boundaries Coalition will explain the report’s methodology and policy recommendations.

“We hope that our findings will influence policy makers to increase civilian oversight of the Baltimore City Police Department,” says Rebecca Nagle, Director of the No Boundaries Coalition. “Far from this being an isolated incident, we found that police misconduct was all too common for West Baltimore residents.”

The West Baltimore Community Commission on Police Misconduct engaged in an intensive fact-finding mission starting in May of 2015. The effort was overseen by a local lawyer with 28 years of experience investigating human rights abuses. The report was created in partnership with Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development (BUILD) and University of Maryland.

The No Boundaries Coalition released a 4-page Executive Summary of the report this past Tuesday March 1 in Annapolis, MD calling on the state legislature to amend bills affecting the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights and the Baltimore Civilian Review Board. The full report will also include recommendations for the Baltimore Police Department and the Department of Justice's Consent Decree.

#####

The No Boundaries Coalition is a resident-led advocacy group building a unified and empowered Central West Baltimore (zip code 21217) across the boundaries of race, class and neighborhoods. In the past year, the No Boundaries Coalition has listened to over 1,137 Central West Baltimore residents about what feels urgent to them and what they would like to see change in their neighborhood. Out of that listening, the coalition is working to improve public safety, increase police accountability, increase access to fresh, healthy and affordable foods and increase opportunities for young people.

WHAT: Release of Report of Patterns of Police Misconduct in West Baltimore

WHO: Leaders from No Boundaries Coalition, a resident-led advocacy organization that unites Central West Baltimore across race, class, and neighborhood, other members of the Coalition for Justice, Safety, & Jobs, a Baltimore-wide coalition seeking to reform policing and increase wages, together with police reform activists from across the state that come together in the Maryland Coalition for Justice and Police Accountability (MCJPA).

WHEN: Tuesday, March 1st, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. Media availability for interviews at 12:30 p.m.

WHERE: Neall Conference Room (2nd Floor of James Senate Building), 11 Bladen Street, Annapolis, MD 21401.

ANNAPOLIS, MD – At 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 1st, the “Community Perceptions of Police Misconduct” report of the West Baltimore Commission on Police Misconduct will be presented during a Press Conference organized by the Coalition for Justice, Safety & Jobs. The report’s issuance occurs on the day of Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee hearings on police accountability legislation. 

The report, presented by the No Boundaries Coalition, sets out the results of a six-month investigation revealing community residents’ perceptions and attitudes of police abuse during the events surrounding Freddie Gray’s death. The report exposes that tactics employed by police derives from outdated policies that can irreversibly damage the relationship between Baltimore’s residents and its police department.

After the press conference, participants will attend the hearing on SB1026, which members have identified as a step forward to ensuring police accountability, but one in which amendments are necessary to ensure that abusive police are not provided with even more power over investigations of their actions.

Learn more about the CJSJ coalition visit: 

http://www.justicesafetyandjobs.org/

https://www.facebook.com/justicesafetyandjobs/

https://www.facebook.com/mdcje/

@Justice4bmore

@MarylandCJPA

###

On February 23rd, we will meet and RALLY at 11:00 am at Lawyers Mall in Annapolis regarding of two bills that have been introduced related to police accountability for Maryland. 

The bills have hearings for the House Judiciary Committee meeting that begins at 1 pm: HB0760 sponsored by Del. Carter and HB1016 based on the Safety and Policing Workgroup's Recommendations. 

It is possible that the hearing is be pushed to the very end given the amount of bills presented that day, so please dress warmly and bring lunch/dinner for yourself. 

For social media, please #MDPolitics, #BlackLivesMatter #CJSJ and #MCJPA. Twitter: @Justice4bmore

GETTING TO ANNAPOLIS

BALTIMORE: Campaign for Justice, Safety and Jobs will have a FREE bus leaving from the Alameda shopping center at 10am. Email Liz at ealex@wearecasa.org or info@justicesafetyandjobs.org to register for a seat.

PRINCE GEORGE'S: A bus will leave at 10 a.m. from Grace Presbyterian Church (5924 Princess Garden Pkwy, Lanham, MD 20706) in Prince George's County and will return to the same location by 8 p.m. from Annapolis. Reserve your seat by contacting Meredith at curtis@aclu-md.org.