Criminal Justice Reform
To learn more about Congresswoman Lee's positions on criminal justice reform, contact the office.
More on Criminal Justice Reform
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Lee released this statement on the grand jury verdict in the case of the murder of Eric Garner:
“My heart continues to go out to Eric Garner’s family and community.
I am, like so many others, outraged by today's verdict. The Department of Justice should act immediately to investigate this tragedy and ensure justice is done.
We cannot allow the senseless murders of black men to continue.
Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Lee released this statement on the grand jury verdict in the case of Darren Wilson:
“My heart continues to go out to Michael Brown’s family and community.
I am beyond disappointed in today's verdict.
Like everyone in our community, I am devastated by the senseless murder of yet another young black man.
The deaths of Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin and Oscar Grant, one of my constituents, serve as tragic examples of the senseless murder of young African American men.
Ongoing efforts to reduce high crime rates in Oakland and Richmond will be helped by a new federal initiative that was announced Monday by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, said.
Speaking at a news conference outside the federal building in Oakland, Lee said the "Violence Reduction Network" will enhance existing partnerships by federal and local officials to fight crime.
Lee said the area that encompasses Oakland and Richmond is only one of five in the country to be chosen to participate in the two-year pilot program.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Efforts in the East Bay to reduce high crime rates are getting a boost from a new federal initiative being unveiled today in Washington, announced Reps. George Miller (D-Martinez) and Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), whose constituents in Richmond and Oakland are expected to benefit from the new program.
Aimed at maximizing current resources, the U.S. Department of Justice is launching a new Violence Reduction Network (VRN) to enhance federal-local anti-crime partnerships.
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee announced $3.375 million in awards from the US Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program. Attorney General Holder will formally announce the grants on Monday.
Oakland, San Leandro and Alameda County will each receive grants to create and preserve law enforcement officers to increase community policing capacity.
Celebrities, pols, business, faith, and nonprofit leaders say the President and DOJ must adopt community-centered policing strategies and end police militarization
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Lee released the following statement on the tragic death of Michael Brown and the ensuing violence in Ferguson:
“The death of Michael Brown is a tragedy and I offer my heartfelt condolences to Michael Brown’s family, friends and the entire Ferguson community.
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee issued the following statement in response to Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan’s anti-poverty proposals in his so-called “Expanding Opportunity in America” discussion draft.
“I am pleased Chairman Ryan is joining the conversation about poverty. Congress needs to expand the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and undertake important steps to reform our broken criminal justice system,” noted Congresswoman Lee. “Beyond this, the proposal puts a compassionate face on Republican’s draconian policies.
Members of Congress whose states allow the medical use of marijuana have been trying since 2003 to stop federal prosecutors from going after state-approved pot suppliers. In one vote after another, they've been beaten back in the House - until now.