In California, the freshly sworn-in Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón announced plans for sweeping changes to L.A.’s criminal justice system during his inaugural address this week. Gascón called for ending the death penalty, ending cash bail for minor offenses, and reducing the prison population by quickly resentencing prisoners who are serving excessive terms. He also promised to end harsh penalties for children arrested for minor drug offenses.

George Gascón: “Most kids experiment with drugs. But the painful truth is that the disadvantaged kids that get caught tend to go to juvenile hall, while kids in wealthier communities tend to go to rehab.” 

Gascón is a former police officer who previously served as the district attorney of San Francisco. He ran as the progressive alternative to eight-year incumbent Jackie Lacey, who critics say too often sided with police and had come under fire more recently after her husband pulled a gun on Black Lives Matter protesters earlier this year.