Stay Woke

FACT

Standing up for what is right, isn’t always easy, but it is always NECESSARY. We have stood on the side of justice since our founding and each of our pints helps to raise awareness of important social issues. Together we can make change for good.

We are the greatest nation in the world, but that doesn’t mean that we can ever stop evolving.

Cash Bail

Our Constitution prohibits excessive bail and yet over 412,000 innocent people sit in jail every day, most, because they can’t afford to pay their bail. Excessive bail can cost the incarcerated their livelihood, homes, and children plus costs America $15.26 billion a year. The money bail system serves only bail bondsman. D.C. has proven that a system that uses public safety and likelihood to return to court as a measurement for release does work.

Working Poor

23.4% of Virginian families are working, but still living 200% below the poverty line. 7.6 million people across America are working but still fall below the poverty line. Some people would need to work full-time for more than 50 weeks a year just to reach the poverty line. Minimum wage was created to protect the most vulnerable employees (those without bargaining power) and our current wage system is failing them. Our country is largely providing sub-standard levels of education to our nation’s poor, then punishing them because they aren’t qualified to work for a well-paying employer.

Possession vs Rape

In some states across America, people are punished more for drug possession than rape. In Louisiana one is sentenced for life for sale of heroine, but get 5-40 years for “forcible rape”.
In Virginia, you get 2-10 years for possession of a schedule I or II drug. For rape you can get anywhere from 5 years to life. Based on sentencing, drug addiction is being treated as equivalent to a violent assault.

Underfunding public

defense

Most public defender’s offices are dramatically underfunded and their attorney’s overworked. Some attorneys have 19,000 cases in a single year allowing for an average of 7 minutes per client. These limitations give a great advantage to prosecutors who often overcharge defendants in order to coerce them into taking a plea instead of going to trial. Some judges punish individuals who choose to exercise their right to a trial with steeper sentences.

Spread the Word

We can make a change.  We must simply demand it.