I will fight racism, sexism, classism, Islamophobia, ablism, and homophobia at every level of our government including criminal justice, housing, and education. I pledge to prioritize a person’s basic human rights regardless of race, gender identity, religion, or class.
Criminal Justice Reform and End Police Brutality
We must fight racism in all aspects of our society, and especially in the Criminal Justice system. Michigan has a 14% African American population, yet our prisons and jails are 49% filled by African Americans.
Stop funding our prisons more than we fund our schools.1 out of every 5taxpayer dollars goes toward corrections.
We must end the school-to-prison pipeline, and invest resources in schools and after-school activities in low-income communities and communities of color.
Eliminate the system of cash bail “pay to stay” laws, which privilege people with higher incomes.
Mandate de-escalization and mental health training for law enforcement officials (pending legislation SB 945)
Prohibit racial and ethnic profiling by law enforcement. Investigate racial profiling in traffic stops and sentencing.
Ban facial recognition software unless it can be proven there is no racial bias. If there is use of facial recognition software, we must ensure that warrants are not based on “facial recognition” alone, and that analysts who review such technology are racially representative of those they are “analyzing.”
Prohibit quotas for law enforcement ticketing/arrests.
Prohibit use-of-force methods such as chokehold and other forms of strangulation.
Create statewide data sharing between law enforcement divisions and departments to track criminal activity as well as police misconduct
Improve FOIA permissions regarding use of force, excessive force, conduct complaints associated with law enforcement
Improve transparency to civilians who may be subject to police surveillance in public places
Mandate automatic independent investigation of any death or serious injury occurring under police custody
Create Civilian Complaint Board for reports of police misconduct/excessive force. Reporting on police to police does not work.
Expand restorative justice systems in the criminal justice system, as well as in our public schools. Remove police presence in public schools.
End mandatory minimum sentencing laws and increase opportunities for parole, rather than eliminate them. Michiganincarceratesinmates an average of 50% longer than the national average.
We must improve prison conditions, afford our incarcerated neighbors basic human rights, and expand opportunities for mental health treatment, counseling, and educationalopportunities within correctional facilities.
End Solitary Confinement.
Provide substance abuse treatment. Addiction is a disease, not a crime.
Provide returning citizens with resources to secure safe housing and a steady job, including banning the box on housing and employment applications.
Implement retroactivity in commuting the sentences of people charged with marijuana-related crimes
Immigrant Rights
Support pathways to citizenship for our undocumented neighbors.
Oppose ICE raids and fight systems of deportation.
Support DREAMers, and make it easier, not harder, for immigrants to make a life in this country.
Oppose the Muslim Ban, celebrate the rich diversity of Detroit and Hamtramck, and ensure that everyone feels welcome here.
Fight the inhumane practice of separating parents from their children at our Southern border.
Reform policies that allow access to Driver’s Licenses without requiring applicants to prove a specific immigration or citizenship status.
Support immigrants seeking admission in publicly funded secondary education institutions.
LGBTQ Rights
Amend the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, housing, and education.
Protect any couple’s right to adopt a child, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Support transgender people, and abolish the law stating a person must have gender-affirming surgery, a name change, and a medical affidavit before they can legally change their gender.
Protect LGBTQyouth against homelessness, hate crimes and bullying, and provide inclusive physical and mental health services.
Make HIV prevention and treatment accessible and affordable to all people. Fight homophobia and stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS.
Gender Equity
Close the wage gap for all women. Women in Michigan are overall paid 74 cents for every dollar paid to a man; yet for women of color, the gap is even wider, at 64 cents for black women and 57 cents for Latina women.
Support a woman’s right to choose. Defend Roe v. Wade and create state legislation that will guarantee a woman’s right to govern her own body.
Reform Michigan’s paid leave policy, and support parents in caring for their children without compromising their pay.
Provide cost-free women’s healthcare, including contraception and prenatal services.
Disability Rights
Provide programs that make housing accessible to physically disabled residents- home repair, real estate tracking, etc.
Track COVID-19 prevalence among Michiganders with disability so we can find and support at-risk populations.
Ensure that person’s with disabilities are not discrimination against receiving medical care due to subjective assessments of quality of life.
Support disabled residents in extended approval for services that otherwise require annual re-application, such as Poverty Tax Exemptions, and other benefits.
