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MEDIA ADVISORY
April 10, 2018
A Call to Legislators: Vote No On House Bill 169
What: The ACLU of Kentucky, the Louisville Urban League, and the NAACP are issuing a call to legislators to vote no on House Bill 169, the “anti-gang” measure pending before the Kentucky Senate. For weeks, community leaders have shared their concerns about the impact of the overly broad measure on Black and Brown young people. The bill, in part, seeks to expand the definition of a criminal gang and increase mandatory jail sentences for gang activity at a cost of more than $19M. The bill does not address community investment, programming, and wrap-around services that might keep a young person from turning to a gang in the first-place.
Late last month, while legislators in Mississippi were considering changes to their anti-gang statute, it was reported the existing statute had only been applied to Blacks, even though an analysis found more than half of the state’s gang members were White. This stunning report has further raised our fears about the potential for racial profiling if House Bill 169 were to become law in Kentucky.
When/Where: Louisville Urban League (1535 W. Broadway, Louisville, KY 40203), Wednesday, April 11, 2018 at 10:00AM
Who: Hosted by the Louisville Urban League, ACLU of Kentucky, and NAACP
Contact: Amber Duke, ACLU-KY Communications Director [email protected]
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The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Kentucky is freedom’s watchdog, working daily in the courts, legislatures, and communities to defend individual rights and personal freedoms. For additional information, visit its website at .
The Louisville Urban League is a partner, leader and catalyst, assisting African Americans and other disadvantaged populations attain social and economic equality and stability through direct services and advocacy. The Louisville Urban League is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. For more information, go to www.lul.org.
The Louisville Branch of the NAACP ensures the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination.
