Chesa Boudin, we've got you.
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Chesa Boudin, we've got you.
Defeat the recall.
I just made another contribution to Friends of Chesa Boudin Opposing the Recall. You should do the same.
When Chesa Boudin was elected district attorney for San Francisco in 2019, his victory was seen as part of a wave that swept him and other progressive prosecutors into office, including Larry Krasner in Philadelphia, Kim Foxx in Chicago, and Rachael Rollins in Boston. Boudin, like others in his cohort, promised to work to reform the criminal justice system by focusing on, among other tactics, decarceration and addressing the root causes of crime and he has done just that. And that’s why Chesa is facing a recall election on June 7. “We’re doing things that have never been done before,” he says, “and that does make some people uncomfortable.”
While the recall campaign is being heavily financed by Republican billionaire, William Oberndorf, Chesa’s campaign is relying on thousands of volunteers who are being mobilized to get out the vote. Endorsements and support are gaining momentum, including from major Chinatown organizations. Angela Davis, Danny Glover, John Legend, and many others have endorsed Chesa and helped to fund the fight-back.
There’s a pretty good New York Times interview with Chesa here.
Just as I was putting this issue of Edu/Pol to bed, I received this message from Ayanna Pressley.
Hi, it's Ayanna Pressley, the Congresswoman representing Massachusetts's 7th District.
Last week, a man who spent more than 30 years in jail for a murder he did not commit was finally freed in San Francisco.
Joaquin Ciria was freed after a judge agreed that new witness testimony would have resulted in a “not guilty” verdict if it had been heard during his trial.
This new evidence didn’t come before the court by accident - it came because of the actions of District Attorney Chesa Boudin.
Chesa created an Innocence Commission -- a unique, independent body tasked to review evidence in cases of possible wrongful conviction. The Innocence Commission uncovered the evidence that overturned Ciria’s conviction.
Chesa’s leadership embodies the kind of innovative, transformational thinking we need to build a criminal legal system that is grounded in humanity, dignity, and justice, rather than trauma and harm. Chesa is putting into practice many of the same values that inform the People’s Justice Guarantee I introduced in Congress, which sets the table for a radical reimagining of our criminal legal system.
We need more District Attorneys like Chesa, who aren’t afraid to disrupt the status quo in pursuit of justice for all.
Progress will always be met with pushback, and there are Republicans and special interests in California who seek to undermine Chesa’s work and take us back, not just on critical reforms but on the very idea of accountability for all – including for big corporations and law enforcement.
Right now, Chesa is in the fight for his life with Republicans spending millions to recall him from office and stop our criminal justice reform movement in its tracks. So he needs our help.
We cannot afford to go back. Criminal INjustice reform is not just an “issue of the day,” it’s a core pillar of our movement for progress. We are focused. We are resolved. And we’ll continue doing the Work until “justice for all” is a reality.
Thank you,
Ayanna Pressley
U.S. Representative, Massachusetts's 7th District