Bending the Arc
On September 18, Illinois became the first and only state in the union to end cash bail. What a win, and what a moment for this state and this country! In fact, some people have said the movement to end money bond is one of the most effective and prolific campaigns in a while. As Community Renewal Society (CRS) celebrates the implementation of the Pretrial Fairness Act, a couple of things are of note.
First, it cannot be overlooked that this was the result of a huge organizing campaign between coalitions, community members and leaders on the local and state level.
The end of cash bail is a testament that organizing works and that CRS is doing the Lord’s work together with our member congregations and community partners.
The end of cash bail is as much a moral issue as it is an economic one. Because of this win, so many of our brothers and sisters will not be languishing in jail as they await their time in court. The lives of people in our communities will look meaningfully different in the weeks, months and years to come.
Second, this win offers us lessons and points to reflect on.
Organizing works. The win on cash bail reaffirms what we have known for some time now: That people can come together, build power and demand big and meaningful policy change. It was through actions, phone calls, letters, meetings with elected officials and coalitions that span the entire state and more that we got to the end of cash bail in Illinois. There are various other criminal justice issues we must overcome, and this win gives us wind in our sails to continue the fight for not only a more equitable pretrial justice system, but society.
Our work is not done. Judges who have openly said they will not abide by the Pretrial Fairness Act are not a surprise, meaning it is up to us to make sure they are held accountable and follow the law. The history of people in power who have refused to abide by laws that lend to liberation is a long and storied one, and we cannot allow the leaders of our communities to continue this trend.
Cash bail is a complex issue that necessitates careful consideration. While concerns about safety are legitimate, the spreading of misinformation from our “leaders” has instilled a sense of fear within our communities that is not easily dispelled. Whenever reform gains traction, so do campaigns rooted in racist fearmongering. These carefully curated narratives are designed to mislead and delude communities, diverting them from the path of progress! People have been led to believe unfounded fallacies about the end of cash bail. To comprehend how ending cash bail is a leap toward fixing a broken system, we must maintain faith in the positive changes to come, prioritize education and discernment and demonstrate, through investments in our underserved communities the transformation of the oppressive dynamics that cash bail dissolution can achieve! Instead of polarizing debates, let us engage in constructive dialogue and find solutions that work for the entire community.
What CRS knows to be true is that ill intentions often thrive when people are silent or inactive. While we have won by ending cash bail, this is the first leg of the race in dismantling practices and systems that criminalize being poor. Remaining vigilant is critical to secure full victory: Beloved Community.
As people of faith, we have a role to play in shaping justice and the policy agenda. If you ask anyone how we ended cash bail, few are those who would not credit the deep and abiding commitment of people and communities of faith. This win, the work that went into it and the ways in which people of faith showed up to protect the Pretrial Fairness Act remind us that our faith communities are instrumental in seeking and creating a just and liberated world. Our collective voice and our contributions are impactful. When we show up, people listen. When we show up, coalitions feel more confident. When we show up, we offer moral and spiritual framing and fervor that fuel the fight for justice. We must keep showing up.
The arc of the universe does not, on its own, bend towards justice. We must bend it. The idea that people should not spend time in jail simply because they cannot afford bail seems to be common sense. And yet, this win in Illinois took years of organizing and action on the part of a great deal of people. Even so, Illinois is the first and only state to do away with this practice that penalizes poverty. The universe does not move towards justice and sensible policy. Those of us with conscience and moral commitment must bend it in that direction.
As we look to a future where poverty is not penalized, the call to greater organizing is abundantly clear. Now more than ever, we need a united group of warriors to defend individual rights and uphold the presumption of innocence. We invite you to join us in our efforts to ensure successful implementation of the Pretrial Fairness Act.
Below are ways you can take action. Learn more and find other ways to get involved in making the justice system safer and more equitable.
Register to train as a Community Court Watcher.
Sign up for the Statewide Virtual Outreach on October 5.
Sign the petition to stop the loss of life in Cook County Jail.
Volunteer for Statewide Data Entry/Analysis of pretrial hearings.
Send a letter to your legislators and share the legislator letter tool with your networks.
Make a donation for care packages for people being released from Cook County Jail.
Together, We Win!
Keron Blair
Capacity Building Manager for Organizing and Policy