ADVISORY: Advocates to Demonstrate at White House for a “Ban the Box” Executive Order

WASHINGTON— On Thursday, July 30, at 11:00 a.m., impacted leaders, advocates, civil rights leaders, and clergy from across the country will host a demonstration at the White House to renew the call for President Obama to issue an executive order and presidential memo that will “ban the box” and implement fair hiring practices for jobs with federal employers and federal contractors. The demonstration is part of a long-term campaign from advocates who have the backing of more than 200 national organizations and 70 members of Congress.

Speakers include formerly incarcerated leaders from Houston, DC, New York, New Orleans, San Francisco, Atlanta, San Antonio, and Dothan, AL alongside noted clergy, civil rights and labor leaders. 

Participating organizations include The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, All of Us or None, the National Employment Law Project, ACLU, Southern Coalition for Social Justice, the PICO National Network, the Center for Community Change, and many more.

President Obama has already endorsed banning the box and undertaken a concerted effort to address criminal justice issues, but the White House has yet to catch up to the 18 states, 100 cities and counties, and major employers like Starbucks, Walmart, Koch Industries, and Target that have already put this policy in place. 

·         Media can RSVP to Scott Simpson at [email protected].

·         Participants can RSVP by clicking here.

Demonstration Details
WHERE: In front of the White House at Lafayette Square, 16th & Pennsylvania Ave. NW
WHEN: Thursday, July 30, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Quotes

·         Dorsey Nunn, a formerly incarcerated leader and executive director of Legal Services for Prisoners with Children from San Francisco, CA who will be speaking at the demonstration — “We’ve wasted enough money – $80 billion a year – on short-sighted solutions to crime that are rooted in a thirst for revenge. It’s time for a new vision for the formerly incarcerated that is based on forgiveness and can shatter the misconception that relentless punishment, even after these men and women served their time, actually works.”

·         Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights who will be speaking at the demonstration – -“President Obama has already endorsed banning the box, but the White House has yet to catch up to the 18 states, 100 cities and counties, and major employers like Starbucks, Walmart, Koch Industries, and Target that have already put this policy in place. The 700,000 people released from American prisons every year are met with innumerable obstacles to successfully re-entering their communities. From securing employment to finding affordable housing, formerly incarcerated Americans face a slew of restrictive policies that make it almost impossible for them to be the productive members of society we say we want them to be. The President should continue to lead by banning the box and giving a fair chance to all job applicants.”

Speakers

·         Bishop Darren Ferguson — pastor and formerly incarcerated leader from New York, NY

·         Dorsey Nunn — formerly incarcerated leader and executive director of Legal Services for Prisoners with Children from San Francisco, CA

·         Marilyn Scales — formerly incarcerated leader of VOCAL NY from New York, NY

·         Theresa Thompson — formerly incarcerated leader from Washington, DC

·         Shanna Reaze — organizer for 9to5 from Atlanta, GA

·         Glenn Martin — formerly incarcerated leader and founder of JustLeadershipUSA from New York, NY

·         Steve Huerta — formerly incarcerated leader and member of All of Us or None in Texas from San Antonio, TX

·         Judy Conti — federal advocacy coordinator with the National Employment Law Project from Washington, DC

·         Pastor Kenny Glasgow — formerly incarcerated leader and executive director of The Ordinary People’s Society (TOPS) from Dothan, AL

·         Wade Henderson — president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights from Washington, DC

·         Reverend Vivian Nixon — executive director of the College and Community Fellowship from New York, NY

·         Stuart Anderson — formerly incarcerated leader with Family & Friends of Incarcerated People from Washington, DC

·         Sharon Bass — formerly incarcerated leader with the Texas Inmates Families Association from Houston, TX

·         Norris Henderson —  formerly incarcerated leader and executive director of the Voice of the Ex-Offender (VOTE) from New Orleans, LA

·         Courtney Stewart — formerly incarcerated leader of the Reentry Network for Returning Citizens from Washington, DC