Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas to announce that slavery had been abolished, two and half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Today we commemorate Juneteenth's significance in our shared journey toward equity and recognition in American history. 

Everyone deserves the right to limitless expression and we recognize the work it’ll take to power equity for all. We’re proud to support Black Voters Matter as they take action to amplify the voices of predominantly Black communities.

One way this important organization works to increase access to voting, employment, and housing in these communities is by resolving warrants for minor offenses with one-day clinics. 

what are warrant clinics?

Warrant clinics are free, one-day events where community organizers and district attorneys come together to help people resolve their warrants and clear their criminal records. Outstanding warrants, often for minor things, can prevent people from voting. Fear of arrest can make Black voters less likely to show up the polls and be politically active, even in key elections that determine important factors for their community and lives.

A new study of bench warrant enforcement found “substantial racial disparities” in warrant arrests. The study looked at warrant enforcement in two places: St. Louis, Missouri and Jefferson County in Kentucky (home to the state’s largest city, Louisville).

According to the data, in St. Louis, four Black people were arrested on bench warrants for every white person in 2019. In Jefferson County, the ratio was about three to one. The U.S. Census Bureau says that in St. Louis 46 percent of the city’s residents are Black and approximately 46 percent are white. The breakdown of Kentucky’s Jefferson County is about 77 white and 19 percent Black. This study clearly shows the impact of the Black community in these areas being disproportionately targeted by police in warrant enforcement, though it’s widely recognized as a nationwide issue. 

Through a strategic partnership with Growing Real Alternatives Everywhere (GRAE) and other community-based partners, Black Voters Matter is traveling across the country clearing fines and fees on misdemeanor offenses and traffic violations.

Here are a few important benefits of warrant clinics:

• Help people get suspended driver’s licenses back

• Eliminate the burden of overwhelming dockets in municipal court

• Eliminate the fear of arrest in everyday situations

• Make the court process more accessible

• Create an entry point to civic engagement

• Create trust between the community and the court system

• Help lead to legislation ending outdated laws around fines and fees and suspended driver’s licenses

• Provide leadership development for community leaders

• Create a coalition of community organizations, elected officials, judges, and residents

As you can see, the impact is huge. With warrants lifted, people feel empowered to show up to the voting booths and live free of fear of arrest for something minor. 

Warrant clinics are about more than just clearing warrants—they're about helping Black communities reclaim their power by gaining access to voting, employment, and housing. To date, they have cleared over half a million dollars in fines and fees.