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Viable Alternatives to Discriminatory Anti-Gang Laws

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Viable Alternatives to Discriminatory Anti-Gang Laws

January 30, 2009 by Jennifer Brandt  
Filed under Violence Reduction

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In Washington DC the gang “Mara Salvatrucha” M-13 has consistently made the front page of local newspapers with traumatic headlines.  Here and all over the nation, the public has responded to this kind of media coverage by passing anti-gang legislation. 

There is good news however– studies conducted by several Juvenile Justice Organizations have revealed falling youth homicide and youth crime rates. In light of these results, lawmakers and affected communities should carefully consider the implications of anti-gang laws, as they often disproportionately discriminate against youth of color. If anti-gang laws stereotype youth based on skin color and neighborhood, they may over time have the undesired effect of driving youth back to gangs where they feel they can belong.

To learn more about successful alternatives to anti-gang laws, visit NCLR’s site by clicking here .