NAN President Applauds Google's Decision to Remove Cash Bail Ads

The following statement was issued today by the National Action Network (NAN) and its president, Rev. Al Sharpton. 

We applaud Google's decision to remove cash bail ads. The stated purpose of cash bail is to ensure that defendants show up in court and that a dangerous person stays off the streets. But it’s all too often low-income individuals, not the dangerous or delinquent who remain behind bars when they can’t afford to purchase their freedom. Cash bails hurt vulnerable communities. Seventy percent of people in jail haven’t been convicted of a crime. They just can’t afford bail and a disproportionate number of them are Black. New research finds that alternatives to money bail work better to ensure those presumably innocent defendants show up in court. Prohibiting bail bond ads will reduce predatory practices and a is notable action. This announcement also comes before upcoming, national bailout efforts for Black Women this Mother's Day and for Father's Day in June. National Action Network will continue its efforts around criminal justice reform as it is one of our top priorities. We applaud those names who focus on bail reform efforts and advocate for systemic change on a local and state level.

Source: Mercury