Bringing A Voice of Conscience To California's State Legislature Since 1952
Lobbying in the Public Interest
Friends Committee on Legislation of California (FCLCA) is a nonpartisan, statewide public interest lobby founded by members of the Religious Society of Friends or "Quakers."
Our supporters include people of all backgrounds and beliefs who share our values and concerns. Join us!
Together, you and FCLCA can bring a voice of conscience to California politics.
Your Calls and Letters Made a Difference
On November 5th Gov. Newsom announced his intention to commute California death sentences to life without parole. FCLCA applauds this courageous action, which follows a relentless and lengthy lobbying effort by justice reform advocates, community groups and faith leaders. This action applies to the 548 people currently under a death sentence, the most anywhere in the Western Hemisphere.
The death penalty is fraught with racial bias and is prone to error. A deep look into death penalty prosecutions uncovers numerous examples of ineffective assistance of counsel and other deficiencies at the trial level, all of which undermine confidence and respect for the legal system. Over half of the people sentenced to death in California were sentenced for crimes committed under the age of 26 before their brains are fully developed. More than one-third have been diagnosed with a serious mental illness. Administering the death penalty is very costly to taxpayers with no demonstrated public safety value.
While state-sanctioned killing is ineffective and polarizing, true public safety comes from building strong communities. Improving access to mental health care and reducing the proliferation of firearms are just two examples of constructive measures that emphasize prevention. We need to do much more to address the trauma suffered by victims and to restore them to the extent possible.
In sum, the death penalty is inconsistent with Friends’ values. We applaud Gov. Newsom for taking this bold step and urge you to contact the governor and voice your support for this decision.
Friends Committee on Legislation of California
2030 W. El Camino Ave., Suite 265, Sacramento, CA 95833 (916)443-3734 fcladmin@fclca.org
