This weekend, hundreds of District Attorneys from all over the country are coming together for a summit in the same city where Philando Castile was killed. And Black organizers and activists are coming together for a counterprotest–the Mobilization and Counter-Conference for Safety and Liberation–to hold them accountable to justice over convictions. Because fueling mass incarceration doesn’t keep our communities safer.

The National District Attorney Association plays a major role in shaping the prosecutorial practices that DA offices across the country adhere to–and this upcoming summit is a big moment to influence the message that prosecutors in attendance are hearing. That’s why we’re joining the Black Freedom Cohort, a coalition of Black-led organizations, to deliver 5 critical demands to them in person. Will you add your name?

Tell the NDAA: Stop pushing lock em’ up tactics that fuel mass incarceration and #DecarcerateDA.

Here are the five demands we’ll be delivering to the NDAA:

• Encourage all NDAA members to end the practice of direct file, which automatically places juveniles in adult courts.
• All NDAA members should commit to considering immigration consequences for defendants as part of determining what to charge, and not to prosecute immigrants for minor offenses.
• Advise members to commit to using independent prosecutors to investigate cases of police brutality.
• All NDAA members should support an end to money bail and use a risk assessment system to determine when someone needs to be incarcerated.
• All NDAA members should develop a restorative justice program in their county which will serve as an alternative to incarceration, including for those people that commit violent offenses.

Prosecutors have one of the most powerful positions in the criminal justice system–yet 85% of them run unopposed.¹ Aside from having control over the decisions that can make or break someone’s life, they have executive power over the hundreds of staff and prosecutors running cases in our city and county courts. They have deeply coordinated relationships with the police, judges, and a big influence on legislation. Especially in the Trump era, when we’re seeing a resurgence of racially coded “Law & Order” tactics and violent persecution of immigrant families, the choices District Attorneys make are even more important.

We need more than talk about progressive policies, we need real concrete plans and commitments to stop putting so many Black and Brown people in cages. Because the persistence of high crime in the most heavily policed areas tells us one thing: criminalizing the most vulnerable of us doesn’t keep us safe.

Sign the petition.

Until justice is real,

— Rashad, Arisha, Scott, Clarise, Anay, Malaya, Enchanta, Katrese, and the rest of the Color Of Change team.

References:

1. “Does It Matter That 95% of Elected Prosecutors Are White?,” NPR, 07-08-2015
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/8102?t=8&akid=7683.1174326.kZXs_y

Trump and his team have kicked off the summer by unleashing a firestorm of attacks on our climate, water, air, and health. Just days ago, we responded to these attacks with a giant message on Chicago’s Trump Tower: RESIST and DEFEND.

We must resist Trump’s dangerous anti-environment agenda and defend our planet now — because time is quickly running out. That’s why Greenpeace just took action in Chicago, and why we are making this summer a Summer of Resistance — a groundswell of creative resistance all across the across the country. But to do it, we need your help!

The only way to defeat Trump and the polluters is through people power. And building that power at the community level is how we’ll win. You see the impact every day: mayors and governors are defying Trump and committing to clean energy and environmental justice because the people have demanded it. With your support now, we’ll train, empower, and mobilize even more activists to stand up against injustice where they are through non-violent direct action. 

Will you chip in right now to help power this Summer of Resistance? Every $30 donation allows us to train one more person in creative, non-violent resistance — so please give today to support the Summer of Resistance and all of Greenpeace’s vital work.

The latest warning from climate experts is dire: The world must take significant action within three years if we’re to stop the worst effects of catastrophic climate change. With so much on the line, I worry about the future we might leave for my daughter and children across the country.

This is the moment to give your all. Please donate now to strengthen our movement, grow the power of our voices, and train activists to take a stand in their communities. It has never mattered more.

Yours in the fight for our climate and communities,

Kelly Mitchell
Climate and Energy Director, Greenpeace USA

P.S. Chicago has long history of resistance, and I was proud to see my city take action in this critical moment. Together, we’ll oppose Trump’s attacks anywhere through acts of resistance everywhere. Our Summer of Resistance is rising but we need YOUR help now to make change!

Help power the Summer of Resistance!