Date: October 19, 2021
Contact: Geoff Vetter (916) 634-9051
[email protected]

ICYMI: Reverend Darryl Scarbrough Says Flawed Prop 22 Court Ruling “is a dangerous attack on direct democracy and the rights of voters.”

Sacramento, CA – In a new op-ed published in Capitol Weekly, Reverend Darryl Scarbrough, President of the National Action Network Sacramento and the Senior Pastor of BOSS Church in Sacramento, called into question the impact that a recent, legally flawed ruling by a Superior Court judge regarding Proposition 22 has on millions of Californians:

“Millions of voters, including a majority of whom are people of color, have seen their voices and votes discounted and denied.

“We’re confident in our judicial system and that Proposition 22 will be upheld on appeal. Anything short of that is a dangerous attack on direct democracy and the rights of voters. We must respect the will of the people and protect Proposition 22.”

Rev. Scarbrough emphasized that this ruling is an attack not only on the will of California voters but also on California’s million-plus app-based rideshare and delivery drivers.

The op-ed in its entirety can be found here. Notable excerpts from Rev. Scarbrough include:

• “This ruling ignored a century’s worth of case law requiring the courts to protect the voters’ right of initiative. While the lawsuit will be appealed and Proposition 22 likely upheld, it’s still a stain on California’s system of direct democracy.”
• “National surveys show that nearly 70% of ride-share drivers identify as members of racial and/or ethnic minority groups. If upheld, the legal attack on Proposition 22 will have a disproportionate impact on California’s Black and Brown families who rely on app-based work to supplement income or to help make ends meet, and who want and need the flexibility of being an independent contractor.”
• “It’s disappointing that certain special interests are trying to deny the clear will of the voters and the desires of hundreds of thousands of drivers. Their efforts undermine democracy and the most precious right granted to Californians: the right to vote and have the decision of the overwhelming majority respected.”

About Protect App-Based Drivers & Services (PADS) Coalition

The Protect App-Based Drivers & Services (PADS) coalition, formerly the Yes on Prop 22 coalition, is continuing to engage to ensure the will of California voters is upheld; to protect access to independent, app-based jobs; and to preserve the availability, affordability and reliability of on-demand app-based rideshare and delivery services that are essential to Californians and our economy.

Proposition 22 was supported by 59% of California voters, 120,000 drivers, and a diverse coalition of more than 140 groups including social justice, senior, community, business, veterans and many others.