The Bail Project

Hi,

It’s me, Lil Nas X.

Music is the way I fight for liberation. It’s my act of resistance.

But I also know that true freedom requires real change in how the criminal justice system works. Starting with cash bail.

This isn’t just theoretical for me. It’s personal. I know the pain that incarceration brings to a family. And I know the disproportionate impact that cash bail has on Black Americans.

People like Vita from New Orleans , Kamren from Austin TX , and Leticia from Baton Rouge  —their stories remind us why we must take action.

So I’m doing something about it and I invite you to join me. Ending cash bail is one of the most important civil right issues of our time. Donate what you can to the Bail X Fund.

Let’s bring people home & let’s fight for freedom and equality.

Lil Nas X

Dear Beta-Omega community, members and alumni, friends and family, 


People of color have played an enormous role in the Beta-Omega chapter ever since Clifton  Arrington was first initiated in 1968 as the first Black member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity nationally, defying the in-person protests of other chapters and of national fraternity leadership at the time. In keeping with our values of diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism, it is absolutely imperative that we all do everything we can to end the pervasive oppression within our society, and for this reason we are asking for anything you can contribute to our GoFundMe, over the next two days (June 4-5), with all money going to the Bail Project. The Bail Project is an organization that pays the cash bail of low income Americans, and works to end the bail system that disproportionately affects people of color. Amidst nationwide protests over racialized police brutality, we find this to be especially relevant. Please help us do our part in combating this oppression, and consider donating.

Goal amount: $10,000 for The Bail Project 

Conscious of the need to take responsibility for ending hundreds of years of racial injustice, and recognizing the many links between cannabis prohibition, direct repression of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), and institutionalized racism in this country, we're calling out to members of Vermont's cannabis community to contribute to meeting both immediate needs (getting people out of jail) and supporting radical, long term systemic change (advocacy and education).

As white business owners and members of the Cannabis community, it is important for us to recognize our privilege in being able to work legally with this plant, while it has both historically and currently been used to disproportionately villainize, arrest, and incarcerate people of color.

Only 4.2 percent of cannabis businesses are black-owned . Meanwhile, blacks are 400 percent more likely to be arrested for cannabis possession  , and in some places up to 8,500% more likely.

These numbers are not accidental, and if we are not actively working towards equity in our own industry, then we are part of the problem.

If you are a white person in any way profiting from the legal cannabis and hemp industry - whether as a CBD business, a cannabis dispensary, a retail shop, or an ancillary business  - we invite you to be a part of us reaching our minimum goal of $10,000 - to go directly to The Bail Project . Donations are tax-deductible.

White Vermonters, New Englanders and beyond who are not directly profiting, but are in any way benefitting from working with this plant without legal repercussion, are also more than welcome to contribute.

We acknowledge that fundraising for these organizations is a small piece of a large, complex, long-term process, and does not obviate the need for ongoing personal education, interpersonal dialogue, and dismantling inherently racist systems which bolster white economic, political, and cultural supremacy.

For more educational resources and opportunities for action, visit the Heady Vermont Anti-Racism Resources page.

About The Bail Project 

The Bail Project, Inc. is a non-profit organization designed to combat mass incarceration by disrupting the money bail system ‒ one person at a time.

"We believe that paying bail for someone in need is an act of resistance against a system that criminalizes race and poverty and an act of solidarity with local communities and movements for decarceration. Over the next five years, The Bail Project will open dozens of sites in high-need jurisdictions with the goal of paying bail for tens of thousands of low-income Americans, all while collecting stories and data that prove money bail is not necessary to ensure people return to court. We won’t stop until meaningful change is achieved and the presumption of innocence is no longer for sale."

More information about The Bail Project, Inc.: The Bail Project is a new non-profit organization designed to combat mass incarceration by disrupting the money bail system, one person at a time. Over the next five years, The Bail Project will work with local partners to open dozens of sites in high-need jurisdictions and pay bail for tens of thousands of low-income people, reducing the human suffering caused by unaffordable cash bail and building on the work of grassroots groups and movements for decarceration and racial justice.

Global artist Katini is hosting a (private + distanced) benefit concert for racial justice, with all proceeds going to the Bail Project, an organization that resists the criminalization of race and poverty. When the money is paid back, it is then re-used, so $1 can help up to 15 people have a fair shot.

For those unable to attend in person, we appreciate your support via GoFundMe. Tax Receipts will be sent.

The Bail Project is a national nonprofit organization that provides free bail assistance to thousands of low-income Americans every year, reuniting families and restoring the presumption of innocence. We believe that paying bail for someone in need is an act of resistance against a system that criminalizes race and poverty and an act of solidarity with local communities and movements for decarceration.

July 28th marks my 40th orbit around the sun. It’s certainly been a strange year; however, isolation has given me the space to listen, learn and reflect on the importance of equality. I can’t think of a better birthday present than for my friends, family and perhaps acquaintances to join me in the fight to improve our world by supporting The Bail Project.

Presently, I’m doing everything I can to fill the gaps of the incomplete history I was taught in school. Only now am I truly able to understand the implications behind policies implemented in my lifetime by both political parties; I’m taking the steps to let go of my own implicit bias and racism. I’ve come to the conclusion that I cannot be defensive when someone holds me accountable if my racism rears its ugly head. We are all racist. We can’t change the past, but we can reflect and do better in the future.

Why is The Bail Project important? Setting a bail was designed to give people incentive to show up for their court date. But the problem with bailouts is that so many people just don’t have the money to pay. Those who cannot afford bail go to prison before they are even convicted of a crime while they wait for their day in court. This is not congruent with the constitutional right of presumption of innocence. When the criminal system is backlogged, as it often is in poverty-stricken areas, the person accused can be stuck in prison for years, even if the accusation is minor.

It’s easy to dehumanize the people stuck in this broken system, but this is humanity at its worst. So many prisons are severely abusive and rely heavily on solitary confinement as a form of punishment or even as a protective method. The effects of solitary confinement can include severe mental trauma, even suicide. Prison is not effective in rehabilitating people, and many pretrial inmates don’t even need to be rehabilitated. We also must think about the trickle-down effect this has on future generations. Often times the people being unjustly locked up are parents. Mothers and fathers are being ripped away from their families, losing their jobs because of the lengthy wait for a trial OR they are coerced into accepting a plea deal for a crime they did not commit, leaving them labeled a convict forever. This system is having a destructive impact on our future as a whole, and it disproportionately affects Black and Brown people. People of Color are not and never have been set up for success in our country.

The Bail Project is raising money for those who cannot afford to pay AND collecting data to help prove that our pretrial system must be reformed. They have been collecting data for the past 13 years and what they have found is: People show up for their court date even when it’s not their money in jeopardy. And, charges are often dropped when the accused is able to present their case outside of prison. The Bail Project has already been successful in keeping thousands of people out of jail who don’t belong there. Here is an outline of a framework reimagining pretrial justice. https://bailproject.org/after-cash-bail/

I believe a lot of racism starts from the wealth gap between black and white people. As a person born into a white privileged family, I cannot ignore the fact that much of my success in life has been tee’d up with opportunities since the day I was born 40 years ago. I am lucky…. but the fact I was born into a white family does not make me any better than those who were not. Please join me in fixing this curse one our history and society.

I believe in the tenet of innocent until proven guilty, and the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. George Floyd and many other black people have had their right to a trial and their right to life taken from them. I’m glad the police officer who murdered George Floyd will be charged, but it makes me extremely uncomfortable that if it wasn’t captured on film, he would more than likely not have been held accountable. Without mass protest he still may have not been charged despite it being caught on film. It also makes me uncomfortable that if we look at history, there’s a good chance he will get an extremely light sentence. The power dynamics of police across the country don’t allow for bystanders to intervene in an ongoing, slow, and public murder lest they risk being killed themselves. It should not be possible for a single racist police officer to be the judge jury and executioner when the victim is unarmed. I know there are many good cops. I also know the system allows bad cops too much power over good people. I’m not going to pretend to have all the answers but it’s clear to me that massive reform in the justice system is required to protect innocent black people from bad actors. 

Innocent people can be arrested and sit in jail for a very long time awaiting trial. This can mean an innocent person who can not afford bail will sit in jail, lose their job, and lose their homes all while awaiting a not guilty verdict. The bail project helps people who have been presumed innocent make bail, make their court date, and survive in the meantime. They make reports of where their donations go and I encourage you to check out their website. On July 7th I’m going to do an Everest which is a cycling  challenge where you ride your bike up and down a hill over and over until you climb 29,035 feet. For every dollar donated to the Bail Project (the direct recipient of this go fund me), or a related cause(DM me on instagram @ zachcalton ) I will climb 1 extra foot beyond 29,035 feet. This isn't about cycling, but if it incentivizes a few people to donate a little more then that is a success. More info on what "Everesting" is: https://everesting.cc/the-rules/

Pretrial detention is responsible for all net growth in jail population in the last 20 years. 74% of people held by jails are never convicted of a crime. (prisonpolicy.org) 
More information about The Bail Project, Inc.: The Bail Project is a new non-profit organization designed to combat mass incarceration by disrupting the money bail system, one person at a time. Over the next five years, The Bail Project will work with local partners to open dozens of sites in high-need jurisdictions and pay bail for tens of thousands of low-income people, reducing the human suffering caused by unaffordable cash bail and building on the work of grassroots groups and movements for decarceration and racial justice.

THIS IS SETUP TO GO STRAIGHT TO THE BAIL PROJECT, I WILL NEVER SEE THE MONEY MYSELF.

Data: 
https://www.mappingpoliceviolence.org
https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/interactive/2020/05/mapping-police-killings-black-americans-200531105741757.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/investigations/police-shootings-database/
https://www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/pie2020.html

More information about The Bail Project: The Bail Project is a national nonprofit organization that provides free bail assistance to thousands of low-income Americans every year, reuniting families and restoring the presumption of innocence. We believe that paying bail for someone in need is an act of resistance against a system that criminalizes race and poverty and an act of solidarity with local communities and movements for decarceration.

Want to join BSG in making a difference? We are raising money to benefit The Bail Project, Inc., and any donation will help make an impact. Blood, Sweat and Gears presents the #TillTheWheelsFalloffChallenge For every mile you Bike, Run, Walk, Swim for the Month of June we are asking you to donate $.50 per mile to the Bail Project. Join us in the fight to reform policing and support the people out fighting in the streets for justice! 

More about Blood, Sweat and Gears: We are a bike club, We ride for fun. We ride for fitness, but more importantly we ride for a purpose. We support our community by building the community.

Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

More information about The Bail Project, Inc.: The Bail Project is a new non-profit organization designed to combat mass incarceration by disrupting the money bail system, one person at a time. Over the next five years, The Bail Project will work with local partners to open dozens of sites in high-need jurisdictions and pay bail for tens of thousands of low-income people, reducing the human suffering caused by unaffordable cash bail and building on the work of grassroots groups and movements for decarceration and racial justice.

#BlackLivesMatter
#TillTheWheelsFallOffChallenge 

If you would like to participate in our Miles Challenge, please download MapMyRide  and search Theodore Mack and join us!

Like so many I am completely outraged by the racism around me. I have struggled with what I can do. I come from a place of privilege and don’t see the full impact of the systemic racism in our country. I am reaching out and reading resources to help me understand the reality and where I fit in. It is my responsibility to be aware of my white privilege and understand how to use it to educate others. I cannot ignore or stay silent about the racism and discrimination around me. The Civil Rights Movement began in 1954 let’a move forward not backward.

I have decided what I can do is run, and walk. I want to raise money for  The Bail Project by running 19.54 miles on 4th of July.

Any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

More information about The Bail Project, Inc.: The Bail Project is a new non-profit organization designed to combat mass incarceration by disrupting the money bail system, one person at a time. Over the next five years, The Bail Project will work with local partners to open dozens of sites in high-need jurisdictions and pay bail for tens of thousands of low-income people, reducing the human suffering caused by unaffordable cash bail and building on the work of grassroots groups and movements for decarceration and racial justice.

The Mock Trial Association at the University of Houston invites pre-law students, and just anyone financially able to donate whatever they can to The Bail Project, on behalf of protesters and low-income people across the US who can't afford bail. If you can't donate, SHARE this widely to people in the legal community, fellow students, ANYONE!

Why Donate?
Thousands of protesters across the US are being arrested even when they haven't done anything other than exercise their First Amendment right to peaceful protest. Considering our close connection to the legal system, it is imperative that pre-law students and law students alike take a stand by raising money for bail funds across the US.  The Bail Project not only helps protesters, but also helps low-income people in other cases who can't afford bail.  They are dedicated to ending the structural inequality that is the cash-bail system, which disproportionately affects communities of color.

More About The Bail Project:
The Bail Project is a new non-profit organization designed to combat mass incarceration by disrupting the money bail system, one person at a time. Over the next five years, The Bail Project will work with local partners to open dozens of sites in high-need jurisdictions and pay bail for tens of thousands of low-income people, reducing the human suffering caused by unaffordable cash bail and building on the work of grassroots groups and movements for decarceration and racial justice. The Bail Project is a certified non-profit organization and 100% of funds donated are used to bring people home.

The Bail Project has chapters all around the US, and you can read more about their mission here 

Arrested at a protest in a city where The Bail Project has a office and can't afford bail? CALL 1-833-425-6TBP

Protest Safety: https://protestinfo.carrd.co/