Dear Friends, NRCAT invites you to join the California Mandela Campaign for a Week of Action May 22-26! California can make history by passing the California Mandela Act on Solitary Confinement (AB280), legislation which would end prolonged isolation beyond 15 days in all California prisons, jails and detention facilities. This legislation also provides a clear definition of what constitutes solitary confinement across facilities in California and protects designated populations from ever being placed in solitary – including pregnant people, the elderly and those with certain disabilities. The California Mandela Act is also the first bill in the nation to also cover private immigrant detention facilities. Your voice is needed! Here are three ways you can support the California Mandela Campaign TODAY and during the May 22-26 Week of Action: - Sign and share the Interfaith Petition for religious leaders and people of faith: Californians of Faith and Conscience Support the CA Mandela Act on Solitary Confinement. This petition will be delivered to key members of the California legislature and the Governor during critical moments in our advocacy.
- SAVE the DATE! On Wednesday May 24, join a virtual day of action by calling your Assemblymember to urge their support of the California Mandela Act. Here’s a script to use when calling: As your constituent and a person of faith, I urge your support for AB 280, the California Mandela Act on Solitary Confinement, to end the torture of solitary confinement in our state. (Lookup your legislator)
- If you’re interested in setting up an in-district meeting with your Assemblymember to take place during the Week of Action in support of the California Mandela Act on Solitary Confinement, contact Laura at ldownton@nrcat.org with the subject line “California Mandela Meeting.”
NRCAT has a TOOLKIT for the Week of Action with sample newsletter/bulletin announcements about the CA Mandela Act. We will update this in the next week with more sample social media language for you and your congregation to use. It is time for California to take its place in the national movement by passing and enacting the California Mandela Act on Solitary Confinement. This is an important opportunity to work in solidarity with the leadership of detained and formerly incarcerated individuals and their families who have worked tirelessly to end solitary confinement and have called upon us to join them in this sacred pursuit. Thank you for lending your voice to the movement! In community, Laura Markle Downton, M.Div.
Director, Faith & Community Engagement | |
