As we’ve reported here previously, SSJC has been supporting legislation in Annapolis that would prohibit police from stopping or searching a person or a car based solely on the odor of cannabis. This bill is a critical piece of the legalization of cannabis in Maryland and is needed because even though cannabis will be legalContinue reading “TAKE ACTION TO END RACIST ODOR-BASED STOPS AND SEARCHES”
Author Archives: silverspringjusticecoalition
TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT VULNERABLE PEOPLE FROM POLICE USE OF FORCE
As we shared here last week, SSJC recently released a Report on the Use of Force Against Vulnerable Populations, which calls attention to the Montgomery County Police Department’s failure to comply with county and state laws meant to reduce the use of force by police against certain vulnerable populations. The report shares stories from community members with mental health conditions andContinue reading “TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT VULNERABLE PEOPLE FROM POLICE USE OF FORCE”
Testifying in Rockville and Annapolis
In the past few weeks, SSJC has been busy advocating on legislation at the county and state level. Here’s a sample of what we’ve been up to: We provided written and oral testimony to the Montgomery County Council opposing a bill that would create a police-controlled safety plan regime for late-night businesses in downtown Silver Spring and other areasContinue reading “Testifying in Rockville and Annapolis”
Good News in Defense of Anton’s Law!
SSJC learned this week that a Montgomery County Circuit Court judge granted the motion of the Maryland Coalition for Justice and Police Accountability (of which SSJC is a member) to intervene in the lawsuit by the FOP (our local police union ) against Montgomery County trying to block public access to police misconduct records. The judgeContinue reading “Good News in Defense of Anton’s Law!”
Coalition Calls for Ban on Minor Traffic Stops to Promote Safety and Equity in Montgomery County
Montgomery County, MD (February 28th, 2023) –– A coalition of youth, civil rights, and community advocacy organizations, including Young People for Progress (YPP), the Silver Spring Justice Coalition (SSJC), and Jews United for Justice (JUFJ) is calling for an end to police stops for low level traffic violations in Montgomery County. There is overwhelming evidenceContinue reading “Coalition Calls for Ban on Minor Traffic Stops to Promote Safety and Equity in Montgomery County”
Action Alerts of Marijuana Odor and Police Accountability
As we’ve shared previously, SSJC is working hard to support the legislative priorities of the Maryland Coalition for Justice and Police Accountability during this state legislative session. Two of the bills we are working on have action alerts that need your attention. If you have not done so now, please take a minute to sendContinue reading “Action Alerts of Marijuana Odor and Police Accountability”
SSJC Testifies on Two Bills
SSJC spent a long Valentines Day in Annapolis waiting to testify on two bills that we believe will further our goal of eliminating harm by police and empowering those communities most impacted by policing. SSJC Co-Chair Bob Veiga testified in favor of Senate Bill 290, which authorizes the Attorney General to prosecute police-involved killings or injuriesContinue reading “SSJC Testifies on Two Bills”
SSJC Testifies on Cannabis Odor Bill
SSJC provided testimony this past week in support of a bill to prevent police officers from relying solely on the odor of cannabis to stop or search people on the street or in their cars (SB51). SSJC Policy Committee Co-Chair Joanna Silver testified on our behalf, sharing data from Montgomery County to show that pretextContinue reading “SSJC Testifies on Cannabis Odor Bill”
SSJC Participates in a Briefing by Attorney General Brown on His Civil Rights Legislative Priorities
Last week SSJC joined a group of civil rights organizations working in Maryland and nationally at an in-person meeting with our new Attorney General, Anthony Brown. The Attorney General discussed his plans to introduce legislation during this general assembly session that would expand his office’s power to address systemic civil rights violations in Maryland. Currently,Continue reading “SSJC Participates in a Briefing by Attorney General Brown on His Civil Rights Legislative Priorities”
SSJC Submits Testimony in Favor of Delegate Acevero’s Qualified Immunity Bill
SSJC submitted testimony in support of Delegate Acevero’s bill to limit qualified immunity for law enforcement officers, HB 115, and on January 19 the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the bill. Qualified immunity is a court-created concept that gives government employees, including law enforcement officers, special protections from civil (not criminal) liability for their violations ofContinue reading “SSJC Submits Testimony in Favor of Delegate Acevero’s Qualified Immunity Bill”
Silver Spring Justice Coalition 