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 BYP 100 Chicago Chapter Joins Project Nia & Decarcerate Illinois Campaign to Oppose SB 1342
Prison Bars

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

CHICAGO-SB1342, a law that would increase mandatory minimum sentences for weapons-related offenses will not make our communities safe. SB1342 is a policy that will lead to the incarceration of more Black people. The law will not address the root cause of violence within our communities, which is lack of social, economic and political resources.

A recent research study performed at Northwestern University shows that mandatory minimum sentences for gun possession do not decrease gun violence. Instead, mandatory minimum laws, due to the increase in incarceration, worsen employment, schooling, voting, social services, neighborhood and other economic opportunities in Black communities.

 

We need our tax dollars spent on things that make our communities safer like schools, jobs and violence prevention services instead of imprisoning more black people — not on costly implementation of mandatory minimum laws.

 

BYP 100 Chicago is committed to ensuring that Illinois discontinues its investing in incarceration while our communities continue to suffer. BYP 100 plans to organize a local phone bank and participate in the December 2nd action organized by Project Nia.

 

Please sign our petition calling on the Illinois State House and the Illinois State Senate to oppose SB1342, this law will not make our communities safer.

 

Now it is time to stand up against unfair laws that disproportionately affect people of color.

 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION  

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ABOUT BYP 100
 
Black Youth Project 100 (BYP 100) is a national activist member-based organization of Black 18 to 35 year-old men and women who are dedicated to creating justice and freedom for all Black people. We do this through building a network focused on transformative leadership development, non-violent direct action organizing, advocacy, and education.