Grace Cathedral’s social justice efforts are part of the movement to End Slavery for Good — to change the state and federal laws that allow those convicted of a crime to be forced to work for the benefit of another. Through arts, education, and advocacy, we aim to build momentum on the issues, and the work of the CA state legislature toward a November 2022 ballot initiative.
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We can end slavery for good.
We want to rectify the moral error in our state constitution that allows slavery as punishment for a crime. The legislative process to allow California voters to strike slavery from the constitution in the November 2022 ballot is close — and needs your help to get it to the finish line. There are four state senators that have not committed their votes to the revised End Slavery in California Act.
The vote will take place at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 29. Convey the importance of their vote and contact them by phone or email using the sample message below.
Legislation Alert (June 28, 2022)
Key Senators to contact regarding ACA 3 (End Slavery in California Act) as amended
Sample Message:
“I encourage Senator ___ to vote in favor of ACA 3, the End Slavery in California Act, as amended on June 27, 2022. ACA 3 is expected to come up for floor vote in the Senate on June 29, 2022. [OPTIONAL: I support ACA 3 as a person of faith. I am a member of the congregation of _______ in _______, CA.]”
Contact information:
Senator Richard Roth (D-Riverside)one: (916) 651-4031
Phone: (916) 651-4031 | Email: https://sd31.senate.ca.gov/send-e-mail
Senator Anna Caballero (D-Madera, Merced, Monterey, San Benito)
Phone: (916) 651-4012 | Email: https://sd12.senate.ca.gov/contact/message
Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Los Angeles, Orange)
Phone: (916) 651-4032 | Email: https://sd32.senate.ca.gov/contact/message
Senator Ben Hueso (D-Imperial, San Diego)
Phone: (916) 651-4040 | Email: https://sd40.senate.ca.gov/contact/email
The End Slavery in California Act would put a measure on the November 2022 California ballot to amend the state constitution as follows:
ARTICLE I, SEC. 6.
(a) Slavery, in any form, including involuntary servitude, is prohibited.
(b) For purposes of this section, slavery includes forced labor compelled by the use or threat of physical or legal coercion.
(c) This section is not intended to have any effect on voluntary work programs in correctional settings.
Update on the End Slavery for Good Initiative
June 24, 2022
Yesterday the Senate voted 21-6 in favor of Assembly Constitutional Amendment 3. San Francisco’s Scott Weiner and East Bay Sen. Nancy Skinner voted aye. We are grateful for the Grace community members who reached out to legislators in support of ACA 3. Learn how you can continue to support the initiative.
Good News: Delayed, Denied, or Delivered?
June 17, 2022
We need to end slavery for good. “For good” has two meanings — first, the end, goodbye, and good riddance. The second is good in mind: good values, practices, reasons, and outcomes. What is good about the movement to end slavery?
Juneteenth Choral Eucharist with Anna Deavere Smith
Sunday, June 19, at 11 am
Dramatist and actress Anna Deavere Smith will preach, addressing some of the themes of ongoing slavery and emancipation. Her award-winning work, Notes From the Field, draws from more than 200 interviews with students, parents, teachers and administrators caught in the school-to-prison pipeline.
Banners of Change Evensong and Reception
Thursday, August 11, at 5:30 pm
This Evensong honors the work of the Social Justice Sewing Academy (SJSA). Founded by Sara Trail, SJSA aims to empower individuals, including formerly incarcerated persons, to use textile art for personal transformation and community cohesion. Piece by piece, they become the fabric of change. SJSA’s work has been featured on our gun violence altar since 2021.
Read more about End Slavery for Good:
Update on the End Slavery for Good Initiative by The Social Justice Working Group
End Slavery for Good by The Rev. Canon Anna E. Rossi