Youth Organizers Lead the Fight to #FreeThe50
The long-term goal is to make sure that every young person that is either in custody, supervision, or on probation at all, is supported through the Department of Youth Development and by our community care teams here across Los Angeles so that every young person is free.
Youth power was on full display at the recent #Freethe50 rally, where youth justice advocates from across the county came together for a powerful community action centering the voices of youth in the important fight to end the incarceration of girls and gender-expansive youth.
Youth activists and grantee partners from Liberty Hill's Liberation Fund—including representatives from the Young Women’s Freedom Center (YWFC), Youth Justice Coalition, and Students Deserve—gathered on the steps of the LA County Hall of Administration in a remarkable display of youth empowerment.
“We’re here today at the Board of Supervisors meeting to be able to lift up girls and gender-expansive youth that have been impacted directly by the system and also urge the board to take action,” shared Emilio Zapién, Director of Media & Communications at Youth Justice Coalition.
The coalition of frontline organizers and youth justice groups have been organizing community actions like this one throughout the year, calling for the immediate release of girls and gender-expansive youth from its failing incarceration system. “Today, I really hope that our voices are heard,” shared YWFC youth organizer, KayLee Matthews.
“All year long we’ve been coming out to the board and demanding accountability and action on the crisis that’s happening inside of our juvenile halls right now,” shared De Anna Pittman, Program Manager of Youth Leadership & Policy at Young Women’s Freedom Center.
Through the Liberation Fund, Liberty Hill is challenging the status quo and reaffirming its commitment to gender equity and justice. By investing in organizations championing the rights of girls and gender-expansive youth, we are building a future where every young person can thrive.
“The long-term goal is to make sure that every young person that is either in custody, supervision, or on probation at all, is supported through the Department of Youth Development and by our community care teams here across Los Angeles so that every young person is free,” shared Zapién.
Liberty Hill is proud to stand alongside these dedicated organizers who are laying the foundation to create a model for ending the incarceration of girls and gender-expansive youth across California, with the potential to be replicated nationwide.
