Omar Epps: We Can't Fix the Criminal Justice System Until We End Corruption
Channel: RepresentUs
Date: 2020-06-16

http://represent.us/ua-justiceforsale
Americans agree: our criminal justice system is broken. But most people don’t realize how lobbyists and politicians are keeping it that way. Omar Epps and Desmond Meade explain how our broken political system is making the problem worse, and what the anti-corruption movement can do to fix it. 

***** The Problem ******
AMERICA INCARCERATES MORE PEOPLE THAN ANY OTHER COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.
Both per capita and in total numbers, the U.S. jails more people than China, Russia, or any other nation — and this falls disproportionately on black Americans and other people of color. While crime rates around the country have dropped, incarceration rates are only going up. If we do nothing, one in four black men, one in six Latinos, and one in seventeen white men born today will end up in jail.

PRIVATE PRISONS PROFIT FROM LOCKING PEOPLE UP — AND YOU’RE PAYING FOR IT
Private prison corporations spent $64 million over the past 10 years lobbying for longer sentences, stricter laws, and tougher enforcement. They even write the laws that give them tax kickbacks in exchange for outsourcing nearly-free prison labor. This year alone, they’ll make $6 billion in revenue. That’s $6 billion of your tax dollars.

91% OF AMERICANS WANT TO SEE THE SYSTEM FIXED… BUT POLITICIANS AREN’T LISTENING TO THE PEOPLE
Conservatives, progressives, and moderates alike want to see the criminal justice system reformed. But like nearly every other issue you care about, our corrupt political system caters to a handful of special interests and billionaires instead of upholding the will of the American people.

****** The Solution ******
WE CAN'T FIX THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM UNTIL WE END CORRUPTION. So let's get to work.

THE AMERICAN ANTI-CORRUPTION ACT MAKES CORRUPTION ILLEGAL.
The Anti-Corruption Act bans gifts from special interests to politicians, closes the revolving door between Congress and lobbying firms, and makes sure voters have a stronger voice so politicians actually represent us. The Act is popular with both conservatives and progressives because it’s not about giving power to one party or the other; it’s about fixing the systems behind America’s biggest problems.

WE HAVE TO GO AROUND CONGRESS TO PASS THESE LAWS.
Politicians benefit from the system just the way it is, so they have no incentive to pass anti-corruption laws. That means it’s up to us, the voters, to do it. Throughout American history, major federal reforms started with passing laws state by state, paving the way for federal reform. We’re using the same proven strategy – and it’s working. The anti-corruption movement has already won more than 100 victories across the America.

CAMPAIGNS AROUND THE COUNTRY NEED YOUR HELP.
From anti-gerrymandering to ranked choice voting and lobbyist gift bans, Americans across the political spectrum are working together right now to pass strong anti-corruption laws at the ballot this year. But they can’t do it alone. 
IT’S TIME TO END THE CORRUPT STATUS QUO. 

Join us: http://represent.us/ua-justiceforsale

#unbreakingamerica #justiceforsale #omarepps

https://act.represent.us/sign/Justice-for-Sale-Sources/

CREDITS:
Omar Epps
Desmond Meade 
Directed by: Michael Marantz
Writers: Joshua Graham Lynn, Ryan Kleier, Michael Marantz
Research: Jack Noland, Ryan Kleier
Animator / Animation & Illustration: Visual Creatures
Composer: Garth Stevenson
Director of Photography: Don Davis
Producer: Ari Hakim
Assistant Director: Miles Johnstone
Associate Producer / Post Producer: Zach MacDonald 
1st Assistant Camera: Kevin Yoshimitsu
2nd Assistant Camera: Kevin Hooper
DIT: Felix Arceneaux, Willis Chung
Gaffer: Paul Hauser
Best Boy Electric: Eric Fleetwood
Lighting Board Operator: Gustavo Oliva
Key Grip: Archie Ciotti
Best Boy Grip: Chad Teglas
Script Supervisor: Tara Riddell
Sound Mixer: Daniel McCoy
Boom Operator: Amanda Pust
Teleprompter: Jeff Dunham
Editor: Zach MacDonald
Assistant Editor: Koby Leff
Mix Engineer: Brandon Hickey 
Hair & Makeup: Angelina Butera
Wardrobe Stylist: Jane Vernon
Production Manager: Mike Suzuki
Production Coordinator: Katie Hoagland
Production Assistants: Mariama Bonetti, Patrick Gilman, Esther Ancrum
Special Thanks
Erin Dicker
Camera: The Camera Division
VTR: Stu Susten 
Teleprompter: Greenberg Teleprompt
Stage: BLT Studios
Stage Manager: Steve Martin
Production Supplies: BLT Studios
Catering: McCrafty’s, Taqueria El Tapatio
Craft Service: Danny Crowley
Production Trucking: Galpin