Yes on Measure Q
The historical November 2008 election was highlighted by the election of the Country's first African-American President Barack Obama. Closer to home, however, InnerCity Struggle youth, parents, staff and supporters focused on two ballot initiatives that if passed would have significant impact on the community. In the end, ICS' hard work paid off in convincing the Eastside community to approve Measure Q and defeat Proposition 6.
Measure Q was supported by InnerCity Struggle as an initiative that would provide LAUSD much needed funding to repair and modernize existing schools with updated classrooms, such as science labs, necessary to provide students with the adequate environment to prepare for college and the 21st Century workforce. In addition, Measure Q would reduce overcrowding by utilizing the funding for the construction of new schools.
On the other hand, Proposition 6 was opposed by InnerCity Struggle as yet another initiative aimed at ballooning the state's prison spending at the expense of youth of color. This proposition sought to expand the crimes in which children as young as 14 years of age could be tried as adults by including non-violent offenses and make it easier to be placed onto arbitrary "Gang Databases", thus, channeling more youth into the Criminal Justice System. All of this while costing the State $1 billion at a time of economic crisis.
In the four weeks leading up to Election Day, ICS canvassed the Eastside to inform voters about what was at stake for the community if Measure Q and Proposition 6 were approved. ICS' message of "Education YES! Incarceration NO!" resonated with the thousands of voters that the organization spoke to. Voters were encouraged by the organization's effort to educate them regarding the elections so that they could make more informed decisions at the ballot box. This was demonstrated by the more than 80% of them that turned out to vote. In turn, InnerCity Struggle was motivated by the impact a community organization can make on election results.