Peters Addresses NAACP National Convention
Peters Participates in Legislative Panel Highlighting the Need for Criminal Justice Reform
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today addressed the NAACP Annual Convention in Philadelphia, PA as part of a panel on NAACP’s legislative priorities. Peters discussed criminal justice reform and the National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2015, legislation he introduced to create a National Criminal Justice Commission to review and overhaul the criminal justice system. Peters introduced the legislation along with Republican Senators Lindsey Graham (SC) and John Cornyn (TX) in April. Peters was joined on the legislative panel by U.S. Senator Cory Booker (NJ) and Representatives Bobby Scott (VA-03), G.K. Butterfield (NC-01), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Chaka Fattah (PA-02) and Al Green (TX-09).
“America has reached a point where we can no longer deny that justice is neither fair nor equal in our country,” said Senator Peters. “We must act now to understand the root causes of this inequity and reform our criminal justice system so it works for every American—no matter who you are, where you live or how much money you have in your pocket.”
Over the last year, incidents and civil unrest in areas like Ferguson, MO, Staten Island, NY, Baltimore, MD, North Charleston, SC and Inkster, MI, have highlighted the need for a top-to-bottom evaluation of the criminal justice system.
The National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2015 would create a 14-member, bipartisan National Criminal Justice Commission made up of Presidential and Congressional appointees, including experts on law enforcement, criminal justice, victims’ rights, civil liberties and social services.
The Commission would be charged with completing an 18-month comprehensive review of the national criminal justice system, including federal, state, local and tribal criminal justice systems, and issuing recommendations for changes in oversight, policies, practices and laws to reduce crime, increase public safety and promote confidence in the criminal justice system.
“The National Criminal Justice Commission is a vital step to finding solutions to the lingering problem of injustice that has shaken the public’s faith in the American ideal that justice is blind,” Peters said. “The Commission will make sure policymakers have a full understanding of the reforms and best practices we need to reduce crime, protect our communities, help law enforcement do their jobs safely and effectively, and most importantly, ensure that the scales of justice are balanced.”
The National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2015 is supported by a broad, bipartisan coalition of civil rights, criminal justice and law enforcement organizations, including the NAACP, the National Action Network, the National Sheriffs Association, Fraternal Order of Police, Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, International Chiefs of Police, CURE and more.
The NAACP’s Annual Convention brings together thousands of advocates from across the country to set the organization’s legislative and policy priorities for the year. Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the oldest and largest civil rights organization in the United States.
“These problems are not easy and there are no quick answers,” Peters added. “But together we can achieve the promise of this great country—equal justice and fair treatment for every American under the law.”
###
