To: PA State Senator Lindsey Williams
Close the slavery loophole in PA!
It is well known that slavery has long been abolished in the United States. However, the U.S. Constitution and several states exempt slavery as a form of punishment for crime. The good news is PA's constitution does not have a written exemption for slavery. The bad news is that there is no mention of slavery at all.
Without an explicit ban, the door is left open for excessive punishment at the state level. Laws do exist on the PA books against slavery, but laws are not as secure as the constitution. State legislators, including my state senator Lindsey Williams of PA's 38th senatorial district, can make our constitution clear on this matter.
It will take two successive state legislative sessions to make this a reality. It does not require the governor's signature; once it passes two successive sessions, it will be put to Pennsylvanians for a vote. Eight states have already made this a reality. They include Alabama, Tennessee, Nebraska, Utah, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, and Rhode Island. If they have done it, Pennsylvania can do it as well. Let's close the loophole for good!
Why is this important?
The abolition of slavery is a cornerstone of American culture and who we are as a nation. The fact that any state constitution even leaves it as an open question catches the unfamiliar by surprise. In the words of poet Maya Angelou: "when you know better, do better." This petition is the first step to doing better. Why should we let Alabama, Tennessee, Nebraska, Utah, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, and Rhode Island be ahead of us on this matter? If you live in PA's 38th State Senate district, sign this petition and help Pennsylvania join that list!
How it will be delivered
I will deliver this petition, and any future copies of it, to Senator Williams by dropping it off at her Ross Township office once I reach 400 signatures.