STATEMENT ON CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR'S VETO OF AB 2054 THE CRISES ACT

Policy Director of the Community Justice Action Fund Talib Husdon issued the following statement:

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For Immediate Release

October 6, 2020

Contact

Andrea L. Pino-Silva

Communications Director
andrea@cjactionfund.org

The Community Justice Action Fund (CJAF) is disappointed in Governor Gavin Newsom's decision to veto AB 2054, the CRISES Act, which would have established a pilot program providing grants for community-based emergency response outside of traditional law enforcement.

AB 2054 passed the California State Legislature on August 28, and  had been championed by local and state-wide California advocates working to improve public safety in Black, Latinx, and other marginalized communities. 

As communities across California and the country call for change in local investments, and protest police violence, Governor Newsom missed a critical opportunity to address  concerns of leaders on the frontlines. California advocates have led the country in funding investments to groups that work everyday to keep our communities safe, and this veto is a huge step backwards. Gun violence, mental health crises, domestic violence, and other public safety problems are best addressed by providing resources directly to the people closest to the pain. 

CJAF stands with the local organizers and advocacy organizations that pushed the CRISES Act this far, and will continue to support efforts to build systems that center community solutions rather than continue to invest in policing and incarceration.

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