A VISION FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE NOW
The National Social Justice Alliance (NSJA) envisions a future in which all people, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, citizenship, past criminal record, or socioeconomic status experience equity, safety, dignity, respect, and fairness at the hands of law enforcement, at every level and in every encounter, from the police to prosecutors to judges.
Equality and safety in every police encounterThe deaths in 2020 of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Rayshard Brooks, and many others, reveal the glaring inequity in the ways in which people of color encounter law enforcement and experience the American justice system. But these tragic deaths are only the most visible and outrageous examples of the problem of systemic racism in the justice system. A troubling percentage of Black and brown people simply do not encounter law enforcement in the same way as most white people. From racial profiling and unreasonable stops and searches, to intimidation, excessive force, and police brutality, Black and brown people routinely experience a side of law enforcement that white America is only now coming to understand.
NSJA seeks reform by using the power of local prosecutors to hold law enforcement officers accountable for the criminal abuses of power that result in the mistreatment of persons of color. |
Equality and fairness in procedures and policiesDespite many advances in civil rights since 1965, the American justice system does not work equally well for all people. For those with means, access to justice is assured. They can pay for attorneys to represent them, avail themselves of programs and services that mitigate their outcomes, and most importantly, they have the money to get out of jail if they are arrested. But those whose socio-economic circumstances keep them from paying cash bail often serve a life-changing sentence while waiting in jail for their day in court. They often lose their jobs, homes, marriages, families, and futures. Even if they are never convicted of a crime, the process of being accused is designed to send people deeper into the cracks, where more injustice awaits them.
NSJA seeks reform by advocating for changes in policies like cash bail that cause an undue burden on poor defendants who are disproportionately people of color. |
Equality and Justice in every court roomA hallmark of the American justice system is the principle that every person is entitled to equal justice under the law. Due process, presumed innocence, and the opportunity to be judged by a jury of one's peers — these aren't just lofty ideas, but are the foundations for fairness. Another principle of equal justice is that sentencing is fair and purposeful. Unfortunately, for a large percentage of Black and brown people, a cattle-call system strips them of their dignity. They are forced to accept unreasonable pleas — even if they are innocent of any crime. The system relies on mass incarceration to warehouse people instead of diversion programs and social support to get people out of the justice system and back to productive lives.
NSJA seeks to reform the prosecutorial system that currently values conviction rates over human beings by advocating for programs and services to help people make meaningful changes, offering hope and opportunity for the future. |
WHAT IS THE NATIONAL SOCIAL JUSTICE ALLIANCE?
The National Social Justice Alliance (NSJA) was created to bring together prosecutors across the nation in a common effort to fix the broken American criminal justice system. NSJA believes prosecutors are the answer. Prosecutors are the gatekeepers of our local justice systems, and are responsible for holding everyone, including police officers, responsible for the crimes they commit. The 2020 police killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and the aftermath of protests for equality, justice and calls for police reform highlight the need for prosecutors to step up. Together, the gatekeepers of the system can finally end police brutality and ensure that equality and justice are the standard for everyone.
HOW PROSECUTORS CAN REFORM THE JUSTICE SYSTEM
Most American believe policing needs major changes. NSJA is leading the way by encouraging local prosecutors to use the power of their positions for the good of their communities and eliminate the racist practices that take away the dignity and hope of people of color. By joining the NJSA, prosecutors can have an immediate impact and improve the justice system, assuring equity and justice for all people in their encounters with law enforcement.
NSJA is an alliance of America's state attorneys general, prosecutors, district attorneys, city attorneys, and law enforcement leaders who commit to adopt the social justice agenda of the NSJA. Members of the Alliance agree to:
NSJA is an alliance of America's state attorneys general, prosecutors, district attorneys, city attorneys, and law enforcement leaders who commit to adopt the social justice agenda of the NSJA. Members of the Alliance agree to:
- Review all available video footage, including body camera footage, before charges are filed in any case alleging resisting arrest, obstruction, or assaulting an officer.
- Conduct and complete independent investigations of all incidents of police misconduct within 180 days.
- Hold police officers accountable by prosecuting them for the crimes of police brutality, excessive use of force, and all incidents of police misconduct whenever such incidents occur.
- Report all incidents of police misconduct to NSJA so that a database can be developed and best practices can be identified.
- Refuse financial and political support from police unions to remain completely independent from police, eliminating conflicts of interest in prosecuting members of a police force.
LEADERSHIP
Christian Wise Smith
NSJA Founder and President
Christian Wise Smith served as a prosecutor for seven years in Atlanta, Georgia, as an Atlanta City Solicitor and then as a member of the Fulton County District Attorney's Office. In 2020, he ran in the primary for Fulton County District Attorney on a platform of reforming the local justice system to be fair and equitable for all.
Growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio, Christian's encounters with the justice system began at the age of five when he watched his mother's arrest, an occurrence that happened several more times before she lost custody of Christian at age 16. He once witnessed his grandmother being strip-searched, handcuffed, and driven away from a shopping center in a police car. He was seven years old. Before finishing high school, he saw several family members and friends destroyed by murder, violence, drugs, and other crimes, including an uncle who was sentenced to life in prison for murder.
At 17, Christian was kicked out of school. Headed down a path leading straight to a jail cell, he encountered Officer William Dean, a police officer who took an interest in helping him to break free of the low expectations inherent in his situation. Because of Officer Dean's mentoring and support, Christian learned that he was capable of changing his path. Determined to break the negative cycles of his upbringing, Christian defied all odds, completing his education and becoming an attorney in 2012. The horrors experienced during his childhood ultimately led him to devote his career to making our country safer by working with our youth to reduce crime.
Christian Wise Smith is living proof that an individual can change his or her path and create a positive future for themselves and their families, and that law enforcement professionals can have a positive, long-term impact on the communities they serve. Now, he wants to prove that we can change the American justice system to ensure that everyone, no matter race, nationality, religion, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, citizenship or past criminal history, will experience equity, safety, dignity, respect, and fairness at the hands of police, local prosecutors, and judges.
Christian believes in the foundational principle that all people are created equal. "It’s time for us to finally treat each other that way."
Growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio, Christian's encounters with the justice system began at the age of five when he watched his mother's arrest, an occurrence that happened several more times before she lost custody of Christian at age 16. He once witnessed his grandmother being strip-searched, handcuffed, and driven away from a shopping center in a police car. He was seven years old. Before finishing high school, he saw several family members and friends destroyed by murder, violence, drugs, and other crimes, including an uncle who was sentenced to life in prison for murder.
At 17, Christian was kicked out of school. Headed down a path leading straight to a jail cell, he encountered Officer William Dean, a police officer who took an interest in helping him to break free of the low expectations inherent in his situation. Because of Officer Dean's mentoring and support, Christian learned that he was capable of changing his path. Determined to break the negative cycles of his upbringing, Christian defied all odds, completing his education and becoming an attorney in 2012. The horrors experienced during his childhood ultimately led him to devote his career to making our country safer by working with our youth to reduce crime.
Christian Wise Smith is living proof that an individual can change his or her path and create a positive future for themselves and their families, and that law enforcement professionals can have a positive, long-term impact on the communities they serve. Now, he wants to prove that we can change the American justice system to ensure that everyone, no matter race, nationality, religion, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, citizenship or past criminal history, will experience equity, safety, dignity, respect, and fairness at the hands of police, local prosecutors, and judges.
Christian believes in the foundational principle that all people are created equal. "It’s time for us to finally treat each other that way."
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Christian Wise Smith, Founder/President, Chairman
Jennifer Freds, Secretary
Marla Jackson, Treasurer
James M. Hicks, Jr., Member
Stephen Thomas, Member
Jennifer Freds, Secretary
Marla Jackson, Treasurer
James M. Hicks, Jr., Member
Stephen Thomas, Member
