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This November, Californians will consider a proposition calling for an increase in penalties and spending for prison and policing policies. Proposition 6, or the Runner Initiative as it is also known, would increase investment in police, probation and prisons by one billion dollars in its first year, and half a billion for each subsequent year. The proposition is authored by Mike Reynolds who also wrote California’s Three Strikes law. It also contains provisions that would make sweeping changes in criminal penalties and law enforcement policies. In the realm of juvenile justice, the Runner Initiative calls for any youth aged 14 or older to stand trial as an adult for any “gang-related” felonies. Targeting immigrants, the bill would enact new provisions to disallow the undocumented from being released on bail while granting new authorities to check and record their immigration status. To top it all off, the Runner Initiative also increases penalties across the board for crimes such as possession of methamphetamines, vandalism, and “gang-related” felonies. Both the Los Angeles City Council and the Los Angeles Unified School District Board have publicly opposed the initiative. A statewide coalition of organizations such as the Ella Baker Center and the Labor Community Strategy Center has formed to defeat the proposition.

GUEST: Lisa Adler, organizer with the Labor Community Strategy Center, and the No on the Six Campaign

There will be an organizing meeting this Saturday August 9th from 9:30 am – 2 pm at the ACLU. For more information, call 213-387-2800. Or visit www.thestrategycenter.org, www.votenoprop6.com.