WASHINGTON D.C. — The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) condemns the presidential executive orders announced today that will eliminate cashless bail for people arrested in Washington, D.C., and will seek to pull federal funding from other cities that have passed common sense reforms. These actions are driven by fearmongering, not facts, since data shows that cashless bail does not lead to an increase in crime or reduced court appearances.
“These executive orders undermine the principle of presumed innocence. Cash bail ended because communities understood that freedom should not depend on a person’s bank account. Reinstating mandatory cash bail violates the constitution and doesn’t make any of us safer — it reinforces inequality, punishes people simply for being poor, and widens the gap between the wealthy and everyone else,” said Derwyn Bunton, Chief Legal Officer, SPLC.
“Trump is falsely claiming that cities like Washington, D.C. and Chicago are ‘out of control.’ However, both cities have seen nearly unprecedented drops in crime. What these cities have in common are high black and brown populations. Trump claims to care about crime and safety — yet his administration has gutted funding for programs that keep communities safe, such as violence interruption, mental health and substance abuse counseling, and programs to support our youth.
“SPLC will continue to fight for the rights of black and brown communities in Washington, D.C., and across the nation. We know that this administration hopes to spread these discriminatory policies more broadly across the country, and we must make it clear now that these policies are not acceptable.”
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About the Southern Poverty Law Center
The Southern Poverty Law Center is a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements, and advance the human rights of all people. For more information, visit www.splcenter.org.