Reso. No. _____
RESOLUTION NO. ______
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA, IN SUPPORT OF PROPOSITION 6 TO AMEND ARTICLE 1, SECTION 6 OF THE CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION
WHEREAS, Article 1, Section 6 of the California Constitution currently states that "slavery is prohibited" with the exception that "involuntary servitude as a punishment for crime" may still be practiced; and
WHEREAS, the exception clause permits the continued exploitation of labor from incarcerated individuals, which disproportionately impacts people of color, particularly Black and Indigenous communities, and perpetuates systemic racial inequalities; and
WHEREAS, forced labor under the guise of punishment for crime is a vestige of slavery, a system that the United States Constitution's 13th Amendment sought to abolish, yet left this harmful exception intact, effectively allowing slavery by another name; and
WHEREAS, California is currently one of only 16 states that still retains this exception in its constitution, perpetuating a practice that should have been eradicated with the abolition of slavery; and
WHEREAS, Proposition 6 seeks to amend Article 1, Section 6 of the California Constitution to remove the exception clause, fully prohibiting slavery and involuntary servitude under any circumstances, thereby reaffirming California's commitment to human rights and dignity; and
WHEREAS, the passage of Proposition 6 aligns with the principles of justice and fairness, ensuring that no individual, regardless of their legal status, can be subjected to involuntary servitude as a means of punishment; and
WHEREAS, ending this exception would set a national example, showing that California stands firmly against all forms of slavery and upholds the fundamental belief in equality and freedom for all; and
WHEREAS, there is no formal opposition to Proposition 6, and its passage would only strengthen California’s justice system by promoting rehabilitation over exploitation; and
WHEREAS, a broad coalition of civil rights organizations, faith leaders, labor unions, legal experts, and formerly incarcerated individuals have voiced their strong support for Proposition 6 and the removal of the slavery exception from California’s Constitution; and
WHEREAS, this Council recognizes the importance of historical accountability and the responsibility to dismantle the legacies of systemic injustice embedded in our state and nation’s legal framework.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Richmond City Council hereby declares its support for Proposition 6, which amends Article 1, Section 6 of the California Constitution to remove the exception clause permitting involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime, effectively ending all vestiges of slavery in the state; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council directs its Clerk to send copies of this resolution to the Governor of California, the Speaker of the California Assembly, the President pro Tempore of the California State Senate, and other appropriate state and local officials to advocate for the passage of Proposition 6.
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Reso. No. _____
***THE CLERK’S OFFICE WILL COMPLETE THE INFORMATION BELOW****
I certify that the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Richmond at a regular meeting thereof held on Mmmm dd, yyyy, by the following vote:
AYES: AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
CLERK OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND
(SEAL)
Approved:
Mayor
Approved as to form:
City Attorney
State of California }
County of Contra Costa : ss.
City of Richmond }
I certify that the foregoing is a true copy of Resolution No. _____, finally passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Richmond at a regular meeting held on Mmmm dd, yyyy.
_______________________________________
Pamela Christian, Clerk of the City of Richmond