Abolish Bondage Collectively (ABC)
A grassroots campaign working to eradicate structural racism and erase vestiges of slavery
Our History
Recognize.
When people are forced to perform difficult, often dangerous labor under threat of punishment or retaliation, it’s time to recognize the blatant injustice present in California law today.
Reexamine.
When incarcerated people are paid as little as 8 cents per hour — less than 1% of California’s minimum wage — it’s time to reexamine the laws that direct the moral compass of this state.
Reform.
When, after years of labor, formerly incarcerated people are left with pennies upon their release, it’s time to reform cycles of poverty and incarceration that worsen race and class stratifications.
It’s in the context of these injustices against incarcerated Californians that ABC emerged, guided by a collective recognition and conviction that slavery has no place in the United States.
Born as a project of Legal Services for Prisoners with Children (LSPC) and All of Us or None (AOUON), ABC also emerged from a desire to fill a hole in the movement to end involuntary servitude: the leadership of individuals with lived experience of the system we’re working to dismantle.
From the very inception of ABC, people directly impacted by involuntary servitude have led the way, coining the name of the coalition, helping form an advocacy strategy and engaging directly with lawmakers.
Our voices and experiences have the potential to fundamentally change the way people perceive the value of human life and labor.
Our power is mighty.