California: Coalition for Civil Liberties Announces Largest Law Enforcement Union Joining the Opposition of Newsom’s Ballot Initiative

Please take a moment to read this important update from the Coalition for Civil Liberties on the Newsom ballot initiative and the ever growing number of groups coming out in strong opposition. 

FOR RELEASE ON MONDAY, MAY 10, 2016

Contact: [email protected]

California’s Largest Law Enforcement Union Joins Eight Others in Opposing Newsom

Zero Law Enforcement Groups Support Newsom

SACRAMENTO, CA (May 10, 2016) – The California Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA), the state’s largest law enforcement union, announced its opposition to Gavin Newsom’s ammunition proposal. In an open letter to the citizens of California, CCPOA President Chuck Alexander says that the organization “vehemently opposes” Newsom’s proposal, which “lessens our ability to protect ourselves and the public.” 

The first public hearing on Newsom’s proposal was held in Sacramento this week, with representatives from several law enforcement organizations on hand to voice their opposition. Newsom chose not to attend and has not won the support of any law enforcement organizations.

The CCPOA is the latest law enforcement organization to stand against Newsom’s proposal. The nine organizations represent thousands of officers, prosecutors, sheriffs and other officials on the frontline of public safety. Groups opposing Newsom’s proposal so far include: 

• Association of Deputy District Attorneys of Los Angeles
• California Correctional Peace Officers Association
• California Fish and Game Wardens’ Association
• California Reserve Peace Officers Association
• California State Sheriffs’ Association
• Law Enforcement Action Network
• Law Enforcement Alliance of America
• San Francisco Veteran Police Officer Association
• Western States Sheriffs Association

“It’s telling that California’s law enforcement experts are overwhelmingly critical of Newsom’s proposal,” said Chuck Michel, a co-chair of the Coalition for Civil Liberties, a diverse group of Californians opposed to Newsom’s ballot initiative. “They’re the ones risking their lives every day and have a unique vantage point on what it takes to keep our streets safe. We should be listening to them, not politicians out to promote their own personal interest.”

For more information on the opposition to Newsom’s proposal, visit www.coalitionforcivilliberties.com.