ACLU Statement on Results of Philadelphia District Attorney Primary Election

PHILADELPHIA — The American Civil Liberties Union responded this morning to the announcement that Larry Krasner had secured the Democratic nomination for district attorney in Philadelphia.

The following can be attributed to Reggie Shuford, executive director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania:

“After this hard-fought primary, the city of Philadelphia must continue on a path to reform in the criminal legal system. We can’t let this city go back to the ways preferred by the Fraternal Order of Police, which believes in the old, failed policies of mass incarceration and police abuse. That approach is tired and unfairly targets Black people, people living in poverty, transgender folks, immigrants, and people with disabilities. As advocates, we will redouble our commitment to a fair, just legal system.

“The ACLU of Pennsylvania will continue to work with DA Krasner’s office where we find common ground on reform. We will also continue to hold DA Krasner’s office accountable in areas of reform where their policies fall short in realizing a vision of a more just and equitable criminal legal system.”

The following can be attributed to Taylor Pendergrass, deputy director of campaigns at the ACLU Justice Division:

“As the ACLU continues to educate voters in counties across the U.S. about how the powers of district attorneys can be used to further racial justice and to create healthier communities, we are seeing that the racist, fear-mongering messages of the past are becoming less and less effective. Anti-reform forces will continue to fight fiercely for mass incarceration, but today’s election shows that well-informed voters are no longer simply buying what the cop lobby is selling.”