DeepSummary
The podcast episode discusses the Los Angeles County District Attorney race and the importance of reelecting incumbent George Gascon, a progressive reformer. Mike Bonin interviews civil rights attorney Marissa Roy and justice-impacted person Tracy Porter to examine the role of a district attorney, the impact on criminal justice, and what it means to be a progressive prosecutor.
They delve into Gascon's policies, such as eliminating cash bail, not trying children as adults, and focusing on diversion programs for nonviolent offenses. The guests argue that these reforms are practical, cost-effective, and address root causes of crime while reducing harm to communities, particularly those of color.
The episode also explores the backlash against Gascon's reforms, fueled by tough-on-crime narratives, private interests, and racial biases. They emphasize the need to reshape the narrative around criminal justice reform and support progressive prosecutors like Gascon.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The Los Angeles County District Attorney plays a crucial role in criminal justice and has significant discretionary power over prosecutions and sentencing.
- Incumbent DA George Gascon has implemented progressive reforms aimed at reducing mass incarceration, addressing racial disparities, and focusing on root causes of crime through measures like eliminating cash bail and diversion programs.
- Gascon's reforms have faced intense backlash fueled by tough-on-crime narratives, private interests, and racial biases rather than practical or economic concerns.
- Supporting reform-minded prosecutors like Gascon is essential for dismantling systemic racism and creating a more just and equitable criminal justice system.
- Effective messaging and reshaping the narrative around criminal justice reform is crucial to counter the opposition and maintain momentum for progressive policies.
- The criminal justice system has historically been used as a tool for oppressing communities of color, particularly Black Americans, and reform is needed to address this systemic issue.
- Personal stories and lived experiences provide valuable perspectives on the harms caused by the current system and the need for reform.
- While reform efforts face challenges, progressive prosecutors are at the forefront of a long-standing battle to create a more compassionate and restorative justice system.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “So a district attorney is responsible for all of the criminal prosecutions in a county. Now, LA county has the largest district attorney's office in the entire country.“ by Marissa Roy
- “When you have these reform prosecutors at the forefront of this hundreds year battle trying to change something. And I think what's indicative is some people say the quiet part out loud when those tapes were leaked last year, Nuri Martinez said about George Gascon, he's with the iS, I think if anything kind of tells you sometimes where this rhetoric and where the ferocity behind this rhetoric is coming from, because we know it doesn't come from the economic arguments. We know it's not coming from practical arguments, but it's definitely strong. It's motivated by something.“ by Marissa Roy
- “If the things don't seem the way that we think it should, then we throw the baby out with the bathwater. But we need to start listening and getting out messages.“ by Tracy Porter
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Episode Information
What's Next, Los Angeles? with Mike Bonin
Mike Bonin
3/3/24
One of the most high-profile races on the ballot is the one for Los Angeles County District Attorney, where incumbent George Gascon – a progressive reformer – is being challenged by a large field of candidates.
What does a District Attorney really do? How does the position impact criminal justice? How much does it impact crime, and in what ways? And what is a progressive prosecutor? Why is reform needed and what does it look like? In this episode, we talk about that and more, including why it important – crucial even – to re-elect George Gascon.
Mike talks with Marissa Roy, the podcast’s resident legal analyst, as well as Tracee Porter, who has been through the criminal justice system, and talks about what harms it caused her, and the rest of society.