Black Lives Matter for Returning Citizens, Support a Residential Reentry Program in Ward 7

Black Lives Matter for Returning Citizens, Support a Residential Reentry Program in Ward 7

Started
July 20, 2020
Petition to
DC Ward 7 Community and 3 others
Signatures: 1,857Next Goal: 2,500
Support now

Why this petition matters

Started by The Center for Racial Equity and Justice, 70K Strong, & Big G

Black Lives Matter Except for Returning Citizens - Tell the Not in My Backyard Neighborhood Hysterics that Black Lives Matter even for our Returning Citizens

When our returning citizens come home, they face another obstacle – the hostile disregard of people who don’t want them in their neighborhoods. 

Mean spirited NIMBYism (Not in My Backyard mentality) threatens the progress of returning citizens and their allies who have fought to secure effective reentry services and a new credible Residential Reentry facility in Washington, DC.   

CORE DC originally won a Federal Bureau of Prison (FBOP) contract, but false and inflammatory statements fueled opposition that prevented its opening at its original Ward 5 site. Now a second smear campaign is underway attempting to block the facility planned for 3701 Benning Rd, NE in Ward 7.

With a well-regarded re-entry program in New York since 2005, DC’s returning citizens, advocates and clergy applaud and welcome the opening of a CORE Services facility to serve our returning men here in DC. On average 1,700 men return home to the city each year and deserve a facility that offers proven and effective programs to help them secure employment, housing, and other life improvements. Today, the closest men’s Residential program is in Baltimore, which means that our retuning men still cannot come home. Nearly 50% of our returning citizens are from Wards 7 and 8.  

Yet again NIMBYs are working to block the new facility. While everyone claims to support our citizens returning from mass incarceration, the reality is that some very loud and politically connected people don’t want them in their neighborhoods.

Show that Returning Citizens Lives Matter by signing the petition in favor of a quality, effective, state of the art men’s Residential Reentry program to serve our returning brothers in Ward 7.  Wise, good, and moral people know we can develop our people and the community simultaneously.  Black Lives Matter, including the Black Lives of those who have been incarcerated. 

Please note that we are not seeking donations, only your signed support.    

 

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Signatures: 1,857Next Goal: 2,500
Support now
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Decision Makers

  • DC Ward 7 Community
  • DC Ward 7 Council Member & ANCs
  • DC Ward 8 Community
  • The Washington DC Community