Reform CA Leadership Letter on AB 953

April 15, 2015                                  

To:
Assembly Member Bill Quirk, Chair, and Committee Members
Assembly Public Safety Committee

Re:      AB 953 - Weber

​Dear Chairman Quirk and Members of the Assembly Public Safety Committee:

Reform CA, which is the California statewide campaign of the Reform Jewish Movement, the largest Jewish movement in North America, is pleased to support AB 953, introduced by Assembly Member Shirley Weber. AB 953 aims to prevent the harmful and unjust practice of racial and identity profiling, and increase transparency and accountability among law enforcement agencies.

We write with profound respect for the vital work of protecting California’s residents performed by law enforcement who put their lives at risk every day for the benefit of our communities. 

Perhaps you are wondering why the Reform Jewish Movement, a community of people of faith who are often not directly affected by racial profiling, is writing in support of this critically needed legislation. In our sacred text, Pirkei Avot, we are charged: “Your friend’s dignity should be as dear to you as your own,” “yehi ch’vod chaveirach chaviv aleicha k’shelach.” And so we ask ourselves, how can we live with dignity and honor when our brothers and sisters of color are not afforded the same? Our hearts are with our African American neighbors when they are stopped by police based on the color of their skin, even when there is no evidence of criminal activity. And we share in the pain of those parents who fear that their children will find themselves in a situation that escalates to violence during such a stop. In the book of Genesis, God demands that Abel acknowledge his responsibility to his slain brother, Cain, saying: “Your brother’s blood is crying out to you from the ground.” Today, as Jews, we hear this same crying out when the act of profiling leads to fear, humiliation, and in the most tragic cases, death. And we must respond to those cries with solidarity.

We are pleased to note that this legislation would not only increase protections for people of color, but that the proposed new definition of profiling will also protect our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender residents of California as well as those who are differently-abled. Our congregations are the spiritual homes of Jews of color, interracial families, parents of adopted children of color, LGBT individuals and families, as well as individuals with physical or mental disabilities, all of whom will be personally affected by this legislation. Our congregations are also spiritual homes to many in law enforcement who act with exceptional bravery to protect and serve California’s communities and we believe this legislation will benefit both the police and community members by building stronger relationships between them.  

We are aware of the frightening statistics in California involving acts of racial and identity profiling. We know we can do better. By enacting AB 953, we can strengthen equal protection guarantees for all Californians, improve public safety, and advance police-community relations. Reform CA proudly and strongly supports the passage of this critical legislation.

Thank you for your leadership in this matter. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can provide any further assistance.