Update on Our Justice Work

POWER Interfaith Has Helped Philadelphia Move Toward Policies That Protect Black and Brown Bodies

Note: The following is adapted from information on POWER Interfaith's website. You can read the original at https://powerinterfaith.org/campaigns/livefree/

The Headlines:

Because of the work of POWER and our allies, Philadelphia is one step closer to establishing a new watchdog group for its police department. City Council is moving on legislation demanded by voters in November in a ballot initiative to create the Citizens Police Oversight Commission, an independent agency that would hold police accountable and have the power to investigate allegations of physical abuse, bribery, corruption, intimidation, and harassment, as well as “any allegation that threatens the integrity of the criminal justice process.” A public hearing will take place in the coming weeks. Our church is a founding member of POWER.

The Situation:

As people of faith, we know that our country’s legacy of racism, violence, and economic exploitation runs counter to what is prescribed in our most sacred texts. Sadly, the wealthiest and most powerful nation in the world is also one of the most violent and punitive. With almost 12,000 gun murders a year (more than the annual death toll of U.S. soldiers during the Vietnam War) and the highest incarceration rate in the world, we find ourselves in a moral crisis—a crisis which disproportionately impacts the poor and communities of color. 

Campaign Goals and Strategies:

POWER has several campaigns, including “Live Free.” The Live Free campaign is working to end the scourges of gun violence, mass incarceration, and the criminalization of Black and Brown bodies that tears at the soul of our society. While POWER attempts to influence federal and state policies whenever possible, its primary focus is on ensuring that prosecutors, police chiefs, mayors, city council members, and other elected officials are held accountable as allies, and not obstacles, to criminal justice reform.

Milestones and Victories:

POWER’s efforts in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania have made progress in a number of areas:

• Helped create and support two successful Philadelphia ballot initiatives to create an Independent Civilian Oversight of Police Commission and ending unconstitutional Stop and Frisk. (Black Philadelphians make up about 44% of the city population but are 71% of all stops and 82% of all frisks.)
• Worked with allies on building public safety through reallocation of resources from police to social services. 
• Marched on the Fraternal Order of Police to protest their implementation of policies that harm local communities.
• Successfully sought a 2018 City Council resolution to limit the state’s reliance on cash bail and calling on the District Attorney’s office, state legislature, and the state Supreme Court to overhaul bail practices in Philadelphia and across the Commonwealth.
• Pushed the implementation of progressive policies in the 2017 District Attorney’s race, as a part of a larger effort to vet all the candidates and raise awareness about our Live Free efforts.
• Successfully advocated for a Governor Wolf veto of the 2016 state Police Anonymity bill, which would have made it a felony to release the name of a police officer involved in a civilian killing.

POWER’s Ongoing “Live Free” Commitments:

• End cash bail. In Philadelphia, where almost a quarter of all people live in poverty, nearly two-thirds of those in jail are there simply because they can’t post cash bail. Because of this practice, too many people risk losing their jobs, housing, and custody of their children without even being convicted of a crime.
• Create greater police accountability by addressing racist and dangerous police practices and seeking police contracts that hold officers involved in shootings to account.
• Dramatically reduce mass incarceration practices that have placed unacceptably high numbers of people of color behind bars in Pennsylvania, often for low -level offenses and nonviolent crimes.

How You Can Support This Critical Work:

• Show up when asked to make phone calls or send messages to our city and state officials or attend virtual events where public presence and pressure are needed. (Even if you do not live in Pennsylvania, you can advocate for policies that impact people in our church context.)
• Join our POWER Organizing Team. Speak with Linda about how you can support this work within our congregation.
• Become part of one of POWER’s campaigns. Talk to Linda about what might be a good fit for you.
• Attend POWER Leadership Assemblies and meetings to learn about the incredible work taking place on our behalf.
• Support the work with your prayers and gifts. You can designate Outreach Giving to POWER.