Criminalization of Race and Poverty
Criminalization of poverty has increased significantly in the U.S. since the Great Recession of 2009. Poor and low-income people, especially people of color, face a far greater risk of being targeted, profiled, fined, arrested, harassed, violated and incarcerated for minor offenses than other Americans. A broken taillight, an unpaid parking ticket, a minor drug offense, sitting on a sidewalk, or sleeping on a park can all result in jail time.
The criminalization of poor people happens at the intersectional oppressions of race, class, gender and gender identity. The criminalization of children is especially inhumane and disproportionality affects low-income Latinx and Black children, LGBTQI children and children with disabilities. The school-to-prison pipeline is a significant factor in removing opportunities for self-fulfillment, education and employment, often creating and perpetuating poverty.
By conducting research and reports on the various components of these injustices, and supporting movements on the ground with resources and capacity, the Criminalization of Poverty project aims to encourage and influence policy that will move us from intersectional injustice into intersectional justice.
Latest Work

A Pandemic of the Poor

Clarence Thomas’ Conflicts Put Our Whole Constitutional System at Risk

Should one millionaire senator really be able to send millions of children back into poverty?

Three Reasons to Be Hopeful About 2022

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Democrats Need to Protect Democracy — And Pass Their Own Agenda

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The Man for the Moment Who Must Do More

Biden Needs to Keep His Promises on Immigration

Democrats’ COVID Relief Plan Could Cut Child Poverty by 4 Million

How We're Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Legacy

Biden Should Build on Bipartisan Support for Hiking the Minimum Wage and Taxing the Rich

Congress Must Deliver COVID-19 Relief

Trump Looks Out For Himself While Americans Struggle

This Is a Recession. Republicans Need to Stop Blocking Relief.

This Is an Emergency: Americans Need Relief, and Trump Is Standing in the Way

Trump Gets Socialized Health Care. What About the Rest of Us?

Reimagining School Safety Resolution Toolkit

Ending the School to Prison Pipeline
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Experts
Reports

Reimagining School Safety

Report: Students Under Siege

Report: Mothers at the Gate
