RESOLUTION NO XX
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA IN SUPPORT OF THE RACIAL JUSTICE ACT FOR ALL ALSO KNOWN AS ASSEMBLY BILL 256 INTRODUCED BY
ASSEMBLYMEMBERS KALRA, KAMLAGER, RIVAS AND SANTIAGO
WHEREAS, the Racial Justice for All Act, by Assemblymember Kalra, provides equal opportunity to pursue justice for those who have already been harmed by the racial bias and discrimination that permeates our criminal legal system; and
WHEREAS, The California Racial Justice Act (Act) prohibits the state from seeking or obtaining a criminal conviction, or from imposing a sentence, based upon race, ethnicity or national origin (AB 2542); and WHEREAS, AB 2542 is a landmark Act that made it possible for a person charged or convicted of a crime to challenge racial bias in their case, excluding judgments rendered before January 1, 2021; and WHEREAS, AB 256 extends these commonsense protections to those who have already been impacted by unfair convictions and sentences; and
WHEREAS, a violation is established if the defendant proves, by a preponderance of the evidence that the judge, an attorney in the case, a law enforcement officer involved in the case, an expert witness, or juror, used racially discriminatory language about the defendant’s race, ethnicity, or national origin, or otherwise exhibited bias towards the defendant because of the defendant’s race, ethnicity, or national origin, whether or not purposeful; and
WHEREAS, the City of Richmond and its Race Equity Team are in full support of policy that mitigates the negative impacts of racial bias; and
WHEREAS, AB 256 co-sponsors are the ACLU of California Action, American Friends Service Committee, California Coalition for Women Prisoners, Californians United for a Responsible Budget, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), Initiate Justice, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, the League of Women Voters of California, and NextGen; and
WHEREAS, everyone deserves equal justice under the law and everyone can challenge racial bias in the courtroom.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Richmond City Council hereby supports the Racial Justice Act for All (AB 256) and condemns racial bias in the courtroom. --------------
I certify that the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted by the Council of the City of Richmond at a regular meeting thereof held on INSERT DATE, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
CLERK OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND
Approved:
Mayor
Approved as to form:
City Attorney