PRESS RELEASE:
For immediate Release:
Montpelier, Vermont May 25, 2017 – Today The Justice Reform Coalition called on the Governor to immediately sign H.308, the most comprehensive racial justice reform bill in Vermont history..
The bill, introduced by Justice For All and a Coalition of 29 Vermont organizations calls for a 13 member board organized within the office of the Attorney General and will undertake an ongoing review of racial justice reform across the State, including economic development, and criminal and juvenile justice. The board is expected to do so by monitoring the collection and publication of race-based data, recommending policies and trainings to address systemic implicit bias, and evaluating racial justice policies, practices, and results statewide.
“We need racial justice now, there is a sense of urgency to get this panel moving”, said Mark Hughes, Executive Director of Justice For, the lead organization of the Racial Justice Reform Coalition. “We should not have to wait for the Governor to find time on his calendar for racial justice” he said. The bill has been approved by both chambers of the Assembly since May 1st.
###
About Justice For All
“This is Vermont, making history again”, said Mark Hughes, Executive Director of Justice For, the lead organization of the Racial Justice Reform Coalition, “it is morally right and legally possible”. The bill is expected to swiftly move through the House and the Senate has called for hearings as early as Friday
Contact Information
Mark Hughes, Executive Director, Justice For All
o: (802) 532-3030
w: justiceforallvt.org
t: @Justice4All mark@justiceforallvt.org