I didn't think that I would be where I am
today. Chances are that I should be
unemployed, in jail, or probably even
worse. I'm running for Congress for
Maryland's fifth District, but getting
here has definitely not been easy.
When I was 15, I was placed in juvenile
detention facilities for running away
from home. There was even one instance
where a guard threatened to hold me down
and cut my braids out if I didn't cut
them out myself. I was even jailed for
driving on a suspended license. I was
seven months pregnant living paycheck to
paycheck.
I couldn't afford to pay all my tickets
in court fees and I had no choice but to
drive or I lose my job. We need a
criminal justice system that offers
rehabilitation instead of exploitation.
This is why I want to end cash bail. I
want to end the failed war on drugs and
I want to make sure that pregnant women
are treated fairly in prison. And I also
want to get rid of the predatory rates
that prisoners and their families are
forced to pay in order to speak to their
loved ones. Families shouldn't have to
choose between putting food on the table
and making a phone call to talk to one
of their loved ones. Our representation
is so out of touch with the people's needs.
Even worse, they're funded by those who
profit off our most vulnerable. Check out
the rest of my platform online because
we've got a lot of work to do.
I'm Mckayla Wilkes and I'm running as who I am for who we are.
