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Amazon donating $1 million to Trump inaugural fund, to air event on Prime Video; Retired USAF colonel urges White House to stop gaslight NJ residents over mysterious drones; Support available for MI youths aging out of foster care; NM designates 250 miles as Outstanding National Resource Waters; One size fits all? Not so, says OSHA for construction protection gear.

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Biden carries out the largest ever single-day act of clemency, voting rights advocates raise alarm over Trump's pick to lead Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, and election denier Kari Lake is tapped to lead Voice of America.

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Conservative voters surprised pundits by casting election votes for Trump but also against school vouchers, Pennsylvania's Black mayors work to unite their communities, and America's mental health providers try new techniques.

Criminal justice reform advocates rally behind Prop 6, reject Prop 36

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Thursday, October 24, 2024   

Groups that fight for criminal justice reform are urging California voters to support Proposition Six and reject Proposition 36.

Prop. 36 would increase jail time for certain property and drug crimes, reversing parts of Prop. 47.

George Galvis, founder of the Oakland nonprofit CURYJ, which stands for Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice, said the most commonly shoplifted items include baby formula and diapers.

"These are crimes of survival," he said. "These things would be elevated to become felony crimes. When we're spending $137,000 a year to incarcerate people, it really does not make sense, as opposed to just investing in programs that actually are effective."

Supporters of Prop. 36 argue that current penalties, which were set by Prop. 47, are too lenient. Prop. 47 diverts the savings from lower prison costs to social programs that help formerly incarcerated people get back on their feet and address the root causes of crime like poverty and addiction.

Prop. 6 would amend the California constitution to ban involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime - which would put a stop to forced labor in prison. Galvis added that there is a connection between Props. 6 and 36 - large chains that sell products made with prison labor.

"The largest contributors to Prop. 36: Walmart, Target, Home Depot are also the beneficiaries of Prop. 6 because they profit from contracting prison labor. So, this feels very much like a conflict of interest," he contended.

The chains that support Prop. 36 have not come out against Prop. 6, which has no organized opposition.


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