Mayors of 10 major Alabama cities are calling upon the citizenry to approve a constitutional amendment on the Nov. 8 general election ballot in support of public safety.
Voters have the opportunity to ratify Amendment One – called Aniah’s Law – sponsored by State Rep. Chip Brown (R-Mobile).
If given approval by a majority of Alabamians, the law would allow prosecutors and judges broader discretion in requesting and denying bail to those accused of committing violent crimes.
Passed by the Legislature in April 2021, the law is named after Aniah Blanchard, 19-year-old college student who was murdered by a man released on bond for several violent offenses including kidnapping and attempted murder.
At the time of Blanchard’s murder, the perpetrator was out on bail awaiting trial for charges of kidnapping, attempted murder and robbery. Under current law, judges have limited authority to deny bail to violent offenders unless the suspect is charged with a capital offense or poses a flight risk.
On Thursday, the Alabama Big 10 Mayors held a press conference in Auburn urging citizens to vote in favor of the law.
Public safety is the top priority of any governmental entity, according to Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson.
“As governments, public safety is our number one responsibility,” said Stimpson. “Collectively, we have been working since 2019 on legislation to change our state constitution and give judges the option of denying pre-trial bail to the most violent offenders who are likely to reoffend. We know this will save lives in every community across the state.”
Auburn Mayor Ron Anders said it was vital to give approval to the amendment, which aims to prevent future tragedies from occurring such as what took place in the murder of Blanchard.
“Fall is an exciting time in Auburn, with new students, football, relationships, and classes. It has been a great fall here in Auburn, but it should have included Aniah Blanchard,” said Anders. “On November 8, the citizens of Alabama have something they can do about this. By voting for amendment one, you will allow judges to keep violent offenders in jail, so in the future, we will not have other stories like Aniah Blanchard’s to remember.”
Blanchard’s mother, Angela Harris, was on hand for the mayors’ press conference.
“Aniah’s Law will be on the ballot on November 8th, and I encourage everyone to get out to vote for Amendment One,” said Harris. “No family should have to go through such a tragedy. If this could happen to Aniah, it could happen to anyone. Please keep your family, your friends and your community safe, and honor Aniah’s memory on November 8th.”
Alabama Big 10 Mayors is:
- Auburn Mayor Ron Anders
- Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin
- Decatur Mayor Tab Bowling
- Dothan Mayor Mark Saliba
- Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato
- Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle
- Madison Mayor Paul Finley
- Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson
- Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed
- Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox
Dylan Smith is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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