Anti-Calif. Youth Authority Campaign Update

Dear friend,

June is here, and we're starting the summer off right. We've done a lot of good work
so far — but there's a lot more work to do.

***** WRAPPING UP MAY *****

At the end of May, two major publications published important opinion pieces about
the CYA crisis and the Books Not Bars "Alternatives for Youth" Campaign. We wanted
to make sure you knew about them.

On Sunday, May 23, the San Francisco Chronicle published an op-ed written by Laura
Talkington, a member of Families for Books Not Bars. Laura's son has been in CYA for
six years.

[ Read Laura's powerful piece here:
http://www.ellabakercenter.org/page.php?pageid=11&contentid=155 ]

The next week, Alternet.org published Books Not Bars founder Van Jones' article
comparing and connecting the CYA scandal with the prisoner abuse scandal in Iraq.

[ Read Van's article here:
http://www.ellabakercenter.org/page.php?pageid=11&contentid=156 ]

***** JUNE 2: A SPECIAL TRIP TO ... MISSOURI? *****

That's right, Missouri. Unlike California, Missouri has a juvenile justice system
based on rehabilitation, not revenge and punishment. The result? No abuse or neglect
of youth inside the system, far less recidivism for youth coming out.

That's why eight parents from Families for Books Not Bars, two Books Not Bars staff
members and a youth from Let's Get Free are visiting Missouri this week. They'll be
part of a larger delegation of advocates that will include representatives from
Youth Justice Coalition, Pacific News Service/The Beat Within and The Mentoring
Center.

The delegation will get tours, interviews and an inside look at a model juvenile
justice system. We can't wait to tell you all about it when they get back!

***** JUNE 5: LET'S GET FREE PRESENTS "THE BREAKOUT" *****

This Saturday, Let's Get Free is hosting an all-ages party at the Oakland Box
Theater. Some of the hottest new hip-hop artists in the Bay Area will grace the
stage in a night dedicated not only to having a good time, but also to getting the
word out about the Books Not Bars "Alternatives for Youth" Campaign.

WHEN:
Saturday, June 5 — 9 PM
WHERE:
Oakland Box Theater
1928 Telegraph (at 19th Street)
Oakland

***** JUNE 7: ALLIES "RECLAIM THE COMMONS" TAKE A STAND AGAINST CYA *****

Next Monday morning, Reclaim the Commons joins the growing chorus of voices
demanding change in the California Youth Authority. They are protesting inhumane
prison conditions at home and abroad.

Don't miss keynote speaker Van Jones, founder of Books Not Bars.

WHEN:
Monday, June 7 — 10 AM
WHERE:
San Francisco Federal Building
450 Golden Gate Avenue (at Larkin)

For more information about Reclaim the Commons, check out their web site:
http://www.reclaimthecommons.net

***** JUNE 27-28: BOOKS NOT BARS YOUTH AND FAMILIES CONFERENCE *****

At the end of the month, Books Not Bars is bringing CYA families from across the
state together with formerly CYA-incarcerated youth and other young people for a
two-day conference.

We will all get a chance to share our stories with one another, learn more about how
the system works (and how to work the system) and get plugged into the campaign.

WHEN:
June 27 and 28
WHERE (FIRST DAY):
Oakland YWCA
1515 Webster Street
Downtown Oakland
[Second Day: Day of Action (TBA)]

For more information about the conference, please contact Zachary Norris:
zachary [at] ellabakercenter.org
415.951.4844 x239

This is going to be an exciting month, and we look forward to keeping you in the
loop and up to date!

Many thanks,

Lenore Anderson
Books Not Bars

* Get more information about the Books Not Bars "Alternatives for Youth" Campaign:
http://ellabakercenter.org/bnb/campaign

*****

MAKE A DONATION: Books Not Bars can't survive without the support of individuals
like you. Please take a moment to support us today. Donate here:
http://www.ellabakercenter.org/donate

*****

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