Clean Slate Statement Clean Slate Act S.7551-A  (Myrie) /A.1029-C (Cruz)

A New Era of Justice for New Yorkers: The Gathering for Justice Celebrates the Passage of Clean Slate

Today, we stand at a pivotal moment in New York's history as we celebrate the passage of Clean Slate, a landmark bill that will automatically seal and expunge the criminal records of millions of New Yorkers. This victory is the culmination of years of tireless advocacy by countless organizations and individuals who have fought to ensure that our justice system upholds the principles of fairness, equity, and second chances.

At The Gathering for Justice, we have long championed the cause of Clean Slate, recognizing its transformative potential in breaking the cycle of mass incarceration and restoring opportunities for those who have served their time. For too long, criminal records have served as insurmountable barriers to employment, housing, and education, trapping individuals in a perpetual cycle of disadvantage.

Clean Slate will dismantle these barriers by allowing certain New Yorkers with criminal records to move forward in their lives without the weight of their past hanging over them. This will not only have a profound impact on individuals and their families, but it will also strengthen our communities and our economy by allowing these individuals to become contributing members of society. 

We are particularly grateful to the advocacy and leadership of the advocates who make up Clean Slate-NY, as well as, Senator Zellnor Myrie, and Assembly Member Catalina Cruz for being steadfast champions of this bill from start to finish.

As we celebrate this landmark achievement, we also recognize that our work is not yet done. We must continue to fight for the full and proper implementation of Clean Slate and ensure that its transformative potential is realized for all New Yorkers. 

In solidarity,

The Gathering for Justice