August 11, 2022
The Honorable Ash Kalra
California State Assembly
1021 O Street, Suite 5130
Sacramento, CA 94249
RE: AB 256 (Kalra) California Racial Justice Act for All Notice of SUPPORT – City of Hayward
Dear Assembly Member Kalra,
On behalf of the City of Hayward, I want to express Hayward’s strong support of AB 256. We believe that this bill is a logical and necessary expansion of the protections established by the California Racial Justice Act of 2020 (AB 2542, Ch. 317, Statutes of 2020). On Tuesday, August 9, 2022, the Hayward City Council passed Resolution 22-XXXX expressing support for AB 256, the California Racial Justice Act for All.
The explicit prohibitions of racial, ethnic, or national origin discrimination in convictions and sentencing enacted with AB 2542 was a significant step in fighting institutional bias in the criminal justice system. According to the Public Policy Institute of California, African Americans make up 6% of California’s population, but represent 16% of the incarcerated population. Californians are aware of this disparity, with 62% viewing the criminal justice system as biased against African Americans. Spurred by concerns raised by members of the Hayward community, the Council determined that it was important to weigh in with the City’s full support of AB 256 and its efforts to address these disparities.
AB 256 aligns strongly with the City of Hayward’s express commitment to building a culture of equity that improves lives and addresses past injustices. This commitment requires that the City take every opportunity to combat institutionalized racism and implicit bias in all areas of government. This bill ensures that Californians have the ability to pursue justice, not just for current or future injustices, but against all unfair convictions and sentences.
For these reasons, the City of Hayward supports AB 256 and efforts to address racism and bias in the criminal justice system. If the City of Hayward can be helpful in any way to the passage of the California Racial Justice Act for All, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Sincerely,
Barbara Halliday
Mayor
cc: Senator Bob Wieckowski, 10th District
Assembly Member Bill Quirk, 20th District
Hayward City Council
Kelly McAdoo, City Manager
Office of Mayor and City Council T: 510.583.4340 TTD: 510.247.3340 777 B Street, Hayward, CA 94541 F: 510.583.3601 www.hayward-ca.gov AB 256 (Kalra) California Racial Justice Act for All
August 11, 2022
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