Staff Reports
Kamala Harris, a politician who touts herself as being tough on crime, has come under fire for her past actions involving the arrest and prosecution of a black mother, Cheree Peoples. This incident has been highlighted in a new documentary called “Arrested by Kamala: A Black Mother’s Story.” The film sheds light on Harris’ policies, particularly her crackdown on truancy which led to the arrest of individuals like Cheree.
Harris, during her time as California Attorney General, implemented a program that aimed to increase school attendance in order to receive more funding from the government. This program included threatening parents with arrest and jail time if their children missed school. Cheree Peoples, a single mother whose daughter had a severe medical condition, found herself caught up in this program despite having valid reasons for her daughter’s absences.
🔥🚨BREAKING: This Black woman who was arresting by Kamala Harris shared heartbreaking footage exposing how Kamala Harris's policy as California Attorney General to arrest parents for “truancy” destroyed their lives and the lives of many other single minority women as well.… pic.twitter.com/zNS9eLF4Rq
— Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) September 18, 2024
Cheree’s daughter, Shayla, had Sickle Cell Anemia which required frequent hospitalizations and medical care. Despite having doctor’s letters and a 504 Agreement excusing Shayla’s absences, Cheree was arrested on charges related to her daughter’s truancy. The ordeal put immense pressure on Cheree, leading to her losing her home and becoming homeless with Shayla.
After two years of legal battles, Cheree ultimately had the charges against her dropped. The California Supreme Court later deemed Harris’ truancy policies unconstitutional. Cheree’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of harsh and unforgiving policies enforced by those in power.
It is important to hold elected officials accountable for their actions, especially when they have negatively impacted vulnerable members of society. The story of Cheree Peoples highlights the importance of compassion and understanding when dealing with complex issues such as truancy. Kamala Harris’ past actions should not be overlooked, and individuals like Cheree deserve recognition for their resilience in the face of unjust treatment.
