Mint Images/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) Three legislators are working to abolish the so-called slavery loophole in the U.S. Constitution ahead of Juneteenth, which marks the day in 1865 when the last enslaved African Americans learned they were free.
As it stands, the Constitution states: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”
The Democratic legislators – Rep. Nikema Williams, D-Ga., Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore. – want to strike it from the record, introducing the "Abolition Amendment" late Wednesday to negate the exception.
According to the Bianca Tylek, a criminal justice advocate working in tandem with legislators, the amendment is about ending the system and to "re-affirm the dignity and humanity" of incarcerated people.
“This [exception] has allowed our
Mint Images/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) Three legislators are working to abolish the so-called slavery loophole in the U.S. Constitution ahead of Juneteenth, which marks the day in 1865 when the last enslaved African Americans learned they were free.
As it stands, the Constitution states: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”
The Democratic legislators – Rep. Nikema Williams, D-Ga., Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore. – want to strike it from the record, introducing the "Abolition Amendment" late Wednesday to negate the exception.
According to the Bianca Tylek, a criminal justice advocate working in tandem with legislators, the amendment is about ending the system and to "re-affirm the dignity and humanity" of incarcerated people.
“This [exception] has allowed our
US Constitution s exception for slavery faces renewed battle ahead of Juneteenth wlip.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from wlip.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.