Californians United for a Responsible Budget (CURB)

@curbprisons.bsky.social

1647 Followers 771 Following

We are a coalition of over 80 organizations working to reduce the number of incarcerated people in California, reduce the number of jails and prisons in our state and shift wasteful spending away from incarceration and toward healthy community investments.

Teal background with the CURB teal logo centered at top. Under this is a light yellow text box with blue and white text reading "Rest is Resistance" and below this in navy blue "CURB staff will be on summer recess from July 6th to July 19th. Below this is another light yellow text box with navy text reading "We wish you opportunities for rest, healing, connection, and joy this summer<3" Centered on the graphic is a bright sun beam
A blue gradient graphic features the headline "KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING" across the top. Centered in large, bold letters is "PHONE ZAP," with a yellow megaphone icon on the left and a yellow telephone icon on the right. Below, a dark blue banner reads "Final 2026 Budget Push." White text underneath states: "We have only a few days left to urge Governor Newsom to commit to prison closure and vital community investments!" On the right, a large dark blue box outlined in yellow says, "Call Gov Newsom TODAY!" The bottom banner includes the CURB logo and the web address bit.ly/budgetaction26.
A black-background poster titled “Safiya Bukhari.” A text box explains that Bukhari was a member of the Black Panther Party who spent nine years in prison on charges related to the Black Liberation Army. It notes that after her release in 1983, she helped found the New York Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition and worked to support the release of political prisoners. Another label identifies the featured text as an excerpt from “Lest We Forget” by Safiya Bukhari. Below is a large block quotation in all caps about dedicating one’s life to Black liberation and accepting the risks of imprisonment or assassination in the fight against oppression. The bottom section contains three repeated, stylized photographs of Bukhari smiling while wearing large sunglasses and a patterned headscarf. Photo credit is given to The Black Agenda Report.
A black-background poster titled “Women’s Political Council.” A text panel explains that Black women in the Women’s Political Council (WPC) had been organizing since the 1940s, building membership, community networks, and political connections throughout working-class Black communities. The text states that four days after Rosa Parks’ arrest in 1955, the WPC printed 35,000 leaflets overnight and organized a one-day protest that became the foundation of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Below is a large quotation attributed to Amber-Rose Howard and Eric Morrison-Smith: “That is how protracted struggle works: years of base-building, followed by a catalytic moment, and then sustained escalation.” The bottom portion features a black-and-white group photograph of women identified as members of the Women’s Political Council, standing together. The photo is credited to the Montgomery Advertiser.
A black-background poster titled “Frederick Douglass.” A text box explains that Douglass was an abolitionist orator, writer, and activist who was born into slavery, escaped to the North in 1838, and became a key leader in the 19th-century abolitionist and Black civil rights movements. The center of the poster displays a large excerpt from his 1857 “West India Emancipation” speech, emphasizing that power does not yield without pressure and that oppression persists when it is tolerated. On the right is a formal black-and-white portrait of Douglass with white hair and beard, wearing a dark suit and bow tie. A caption notes that the quotation is from a speech delivered on August 4, 1857.
Dark background with a faint image of imprisoned people during the San Quentin Six rebellion. Image contains a tweet from Amber-Rose Howard on Juneteenth. Teal CURB logo at bottom right corner
Social media graphic promoting a Sacramento Bee article by William Melhado, dated June 16, 2026. The headline reads: “California’s Legislature Is Eager to Close Another Prison. Newsom May Not Be.” The graphic includes CURB branding and a link to the full article.
Advocacy graphic with a blue and pink gradient background. Large headline text reads, “Our Advocacy Is Working” above “Action Alert.” A megaphone icon appears beside the headline. A banner labeled “Final 2026 Budget Push” introduces a message stating that the California Legislature has officially recommended another prison closure and urging supporters to demand that Governor Newsom commit to the closure in the June enacted state budget. A prominent callout says, “Take action in under 1 minute!” The bottom of the graphic features the CURB logo and the link “bit.ly/budgetaction26.”
Advocacy graphic with a teal background and large bold text reading “All Hands on Deck Action Alert.” A megaphone icon appears beside the word “Alert.” Additional text says, “Final Budget Action: Demand prison closure, expanded pathways for release & investments in critical services TODAY.” A pink callout box reads, “Take action in under 1 minute!” The bottom of the graphic includes the CURB logo and the URL “bit.ly/budgetaction26.”
Dark gradient promotional graphic featuring the Orange County Register logo and a teal “New Op-Ed” banner. Large bold text highlights the headline: “Paying for prison beds we don’t need doesn’t keep California safe.” Smaller text below discusses reducing crime through prevention rather than maintaining unused prison beds. The piece is credited to Brian Kaneda and dated 5.25.26, with the CURB logo in the lower-right corner.
Graphic poster reading “Care Not Cages – Action Alert” in large bold text on a dark teal background. The poster urges people to demand that California state officials invest in care instead of cages before the state budget is finalized. A highlighted box says “Join us in person & remotely THIS May!” The bottom includes the CURB logo and a shortened web link: bit.ly/budgetaction26. Yellow star-like sparkles and bold cream-colored typography create an urgent advocacy campaign style.
Light blue and white gradient background. White text on slide. At top are large block letters with bill number, and below in smaller white writing is a description of the bill. Below this is a check list of each committee the bill as the pass to become law. There are currently gold check marks next to the top two "Assembly Public Safety Committee" and "Assembly Appropriations Committee" Below this is a navy blue banner that reads "Co-sponsors" in white text. And below this are logos of all of the organizational co-sponsors of the bill
white background with grid dots. faint in background is a photo from Attica Prison Rebellion. There is a black CURB logo on the top left following by large block letter text reading "Legacies of Resistance" and underneath in fainter gray "Close CA Prisons." Below this reads "Soledad State Prison" in red lettering and in black below a description of the post "California's prisons have always been sites of resistance. In this series, we look at this legacy at the Correctional Training Facility (CTF) Prison in Soledad." Below this on the bottom left is Critical Resistance's logo. The right side of the page has a red line
Beige background with squiggly pink, gold, teal and navy lines in top left and bottom right corners for design. In teal block letters outlined in navy reading "Join Our Team." Below this centered in the middle of the graphic is the teal CURB logo. Below this in navy blue block letters reads "Summer 2026 Internship." The footer at the bottom is in teal and reads "Visit: bit.ly/curbintern26" to apply in navy and creme
The image is a purple-toned event flyer with a background photo of an empty government hearing room or legislative chamber, showing desks, chairs, and microphones arranged in a formal setting. At the top, large bold white text reads: “CALL TO ACTION.” Below that, in slightly smaller white text: “MONDAY, APRIL 20 @ 2:30 PM” Underneath, the location is listed: “State Capitol - 1315 10th St, Sacramento Room 447” In the center of the flyer, a light-colored text box contains the main message: “Join us for an important budget hearing on California women’s prisons, staff sexual abuse and community solutions.” Below that is an RSVP section with a stylized button and link: “RSVP bit.ly/42026hearing” At the bottom, large white text reads: “Pack The Room! Make Public Comment!” In the lower corners are two logos: On the left, a circular logo with the words “Sister Warriors Freedom Coalition” surrounding a silhouette profile. On the right, a logo with the letters “CCWP” and imagery suggesting advocacy, along with the text “Caring Collective - 30 Years Strong!” and a website (womensprisoners.org). Near the bottom left, there is also a social media handle: “c_c_w_p”. Overall, the flyer promotes a public budget hearing focused on issues affecting women’s prisons in California, encouraging attendance and public participation.
At the top, large text reads: “CARE NOT CAGES”. The central focus is the phrase “ACTION ALERT” in very large, dark teal block letters, with a subtle drop shadow. Behind the text is a faint, stylized illustration of what appears to be a hand or abstract shape in a dotted pattern. To the left of the word “ALERT,” there are small yellow sparkle icons. Below, a bold, underlined line reads: “YOU CAN’T GET WELL IN A CELL!” Under that, smaller text says: “Urge the state to free our elders, #CloseCAPrisons & fund vital community needs NOT CDCR’s systemic abuse.” The word “NOT” is underlined for emphasis. On the right side, there is a rounded teal box with yellow and white text that reads: “JOIN US! Key Hearings: 4/9 & 4/20” At the bottom, there is a teal banner. On the left side of this banner is a logo reading “CURB” (Californians United for a Responsible Budget), and to the right is a link: “bit.ly/budgetaction26” Overall, the poster is designed to mobilize viewers around prison reform and budget advocacy, emphasizing care, community investment, and the closure of prisons.
The image is a stylized promotional graphic for an opinion article. The background shows the interior of a mostly empty, older-style city bus with rows of dark seats and metal frames. Sitting alone near the front is a bronze-like statue depiction of a woman resembling Rosa Parks. She is seated upright, facing forward, wearing glasses and a coat, with her hands resting in her lap. The lighting is dim and warm, giving the scene a reflective, historical tone. Outside the bus windows, blurred black-and-white images of people can be seen, suggesting historical context. At the top of the image are two logos: a circular black-and-orange “ABMoC” (Alliance for Boys and Men of Color) logo and a teal oval “CURB” logo. On the right side, there is a yellow-outlined circle containing the text: “Full Op-ed Link in Bio.” In the lower half of the image, large bold white text reads: “Past and Present: How the Montgomery Bus Boycott Created Modern Political Organizing, Built by Black Women” Above this headline, in smaller yellow text, it says: “OPINION | POLITICS.” At the bottom, in yellow text, the byline reads: “By Amber-Rose Howard & Eric Morrison-Smith | 3.31.26” Overall, the image combines a historical visual reference with modern graphic design to promote an article about the lasting impact of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the role of Black women in organizing.
This image follows the same quote-card design as the previous ones, with a dark blue textured background. At the top, “The Sacramento Bee” appears in large white serif text. Beneath it is a centered gold quotation mark icon, with thin gold lines extending horizontally on both sides. The main text is a paragraph in white, with several key phrases highlighted in bold red for emphasis. It reads: “During a Wednesday oversight hearing, assembly members expressed frustration with Newsom administration officials over the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s stubbornly large budget, which is effectively the same as was 20 years ago when the state’s prison population was twice as large.” The phrases “stubbornly large budget,” “same as was 20 years ago,” and “twice as large” are highlighted in red. Below the paragraph, the source is credited in white text as “William Melhado,” followed by “Sacramento Bee Journalist/Article Author.” In the bottom left corner, yellow text reads: “Full article: bit.ly/3-18sacbee.” In the bottom right corner, there is a teal speech-bubble-shaped logo with the word “CURB” in large white letters. Overall, the graphic summarizes a news report about legislative frustration with prison system spending, emphasizing comparisons between current budgets and past prison population levels.
The image is a bold, text-focused political graphic with a stark, high-contrast design. The background is a light gray or off-white textured surface resembling cracked plaster. At the very top, in a black horizontal banner, white uppercase text reads: “CALIFORNIANS UNITED FOR A RESPONSIBLE BUDGET.” Centered below, large block text dominates the image in alternating black and red uppercase letters. The message reads: “NEWSOM” (black, very large font) “CLOSED 5 CA PRISONS.” (red, equally large and prominent) “WHY LAWMAKERS MIGHT WANT TO” (black, slightly smaller but still bold) “SHUT ONE MORE” (red, large and emphasized) At the bottom, a black bar spans the width of the image. On the left side is a teal circular logo with the word “CURB” in white uppercase letters. To the right of the logo, white text reads: “Full Article: bit.ly/3-18calmatters”
beige background with large black block letters at top reading "ICE out of San Diego Action" surrounded by a red start and blow horn. Below highlighted in light red is the details of the action (in caption). Below in back text is the location of the action "Edward J Schwartz Federal Courthouse 880 Front Street, San Diego, CA 92101." To the right of this is a QR code and to the left a monarch butterfly wing
Navy background with a faint megaphone in the back. Header and footer are creme with navy blue text, top reads "Close CA Prisons" and bottom reads "bit.ly/budgetaction26" with the teal CURB logo to the left. Top of the graphic in large creme block letters reads "Action Alert" with pink stars to the left. Below in creme text is the description of the action. To the right is a pink and navy blue pop out reading "Join Us" in pink and details of the action below in creme. Details are in caption
creme background with a faint navy blue megaphone in background. large block letters at top of graphic reading "Action Alert" and below a description of the action also in navy blue "live & written public comment opportunity to demand funding for care not cages!" to the right of this is a blue text block with white writing reading "public safety hearing THIS Monday, March 2nd!" header and footer are in navy blue with white text at the top reading "Close CA Prisons" and bottom the link to take action "bit.ly/budgetaction26" to the right of a teal curb logo
A dark, textured background with deep red splatter-like patterns is overlaid with four horizontal strips designed to look like torn pieces of paper. Each strip contains a quote about conditions inside the California City ICE detention facility, with certain phrases emphasized in red. Top quote (attributed to The New Yorker): “[Detained people] described the California City facility as unique in its mistreatment of those held in its custody.” Second quote (also attributed to The New Yorker): Describes repeated reports from detained people of extremely delayed medical appointments, denial of medications and treatment, unsafe and unsanitary living conditions, and general antagonism by medical staff. The harms are highlighted in red text for emphasis. Third quote (testimonial attributed to Gustavo, detained in California City, source: The New Yorker): “They are acting as if everybody who’s here is gonna be deported. That’s why I think that they don’t want to spend any money on medication, because they figure we’re just gonna get sent to Mexico.” The first part of the quote is highlighted in red. Bottom statistic (attributed to KQED): “Six people have died in custody this month alone, according to ICE. That comes on top of 32 deaths in 2025, the highest number in two decades.” The numbers are emphasized in red. Overall tone: urgent and somber, using stark color contrast and torn-paper styling to convey distress and expose reported harms.
A high-contrast advocacy graphic with a dark black background covered in deep red splatter-like textures, creating an urgent and ominous tone. In the top-left corner, a rounded red button shape contains a black arrow pointing to the right, suggesting movement or continuation to the next slide. Large, bold white block text dominates the center and left side of the image, stacked in multiple lines: “THE CONSEQUENCES OF FAILING TO FULLY CLOSE PRISONS…” The words are all uppercase and tightly spaced, designed to feel heavy and impactful. In the bottom-right corner is the CURB logo in white letters layered over overlapping teal and light-blue abstract shapes. Overall tone: urgent and foreboding, signaling that the following content will outline serious harms connected to not fully closing prisons.
Teal background with large white block letters that read "Action Alert" and below descriptive text in white text with parts highlighted in pink. This reads "Protect California: We refuse to accept a budget that fuels prisons over people." To the right of this is a pink text block with white text reading "Email state officials TODAY." The top and bottom have a white header and footer with blue text, top header read "close Prisons save billions" and "bit.ly/budgetaction26" in navy blue
A textured, off-white paper background sits on top of a collage of black-and-white newspaper clippings, with a light blue paperclip at the top left. Centered black text displays a quote that reads: “Abysmally low elder parole grant rates and extreme sentencing have turned prisons into expensive nursing homes. That’s an inhumane, fiscally reckless policy choice. It doesn’t improve public safety.” The words “expensive nursing homes” and “inhumane, fiscally reckless policy choice” are bolded for emphasis. The quote is attributed at the bottom to Dax Proctor, CURB Statewide Coordinator. The CURB logo appears in the lower left corner, and a yellow rounded rectangle in the lower right reads: “Full article: bit.ly/1-10davisv.” A circular black-and-white “V” logo appears in the upper right.
Black background with white large block letters that read "Abolish ICE."
A meme image shows three people sitting in a silver convertible car with the top down. Bold white uppercase text appears at the top and bottom of the image. Top text: “GET IN” Bottom text: “WE’RE ADVOCATING FOR THE BUDGET OUR COMMUNITIES DESERVE”
A promotional graphic for CURB’s 2025 Winter Fundraiser. At the top left is the CURB logo: the word “CURB” in white letters over a teal oval, with the silhouette of California behind the text. To the upper right is an illustrated black gift box with a shiny teal ribbon. Colorful wavy stripes (yellow, orange, coral, teal) stretch horizontally across the middle of the image. Text reads: “SUPPORT OUR 2025 WINTER FUNDRAISER – MAKE A GIFT TODAY.” At the bottom left is a green starburst with gold balloon-style text reading “10K.” At the bottom right is a cream-colored rounded rectangle containing the link “BIT.LY/CURBDONATE25” in bold coral lettering.
A promotional graphic encourages viewers to subscribe to a newsletter from an organization called CURB. At the top, the word “CURB” appears in white letters inside a teal circle with a small graphic of the state of California behind it. Below, a large dark-blue rounded rectangle contains the word “SUBSCRIBE” in bold white letters. Under it, an envelope icon is shown, with a white sheet of paper labeled “Newsletter” partially pulled out. On the left side, large white text reads: “AND DON’T MISS A THING FROM CURB” On the right side are four bullet points with yellow checkmarks: Action Alerts Newsletters Events Get Involved At the bottom, against a dark blue bar, is a link in large white text: bit.ly/CURBsubscribe The overall color palette uses teal, yellow, white, and dark blue, giving the image a clean, modern look.
A graphic-style social media flyer features bold text and advocacy messaging. At the top, against a dark teal banner, large white text reads “CLOSE CA PRISONS.” Below, in very large dark teal letters with a light shadow, it says “ACTION ALERT.” To the left of this phrase, there are three decorative coral-colored sparkle icons. Under that, in mixed colors, the text reads: “This holiday season:” in coral “Demand funding for community needs NOT toxic prison spending!” in dark teal. On the right side, inside a rounded box with a dark blue background and coral border, white text says: “Write Gov Newsom TODAY.” At the bottom, a dark teal footer contains a circular logo on the left that says “CURB,” with a light blue shape of California behind the letters. To the right, white text reads “bit.ly/holidayaction25.” The overall aesthetic is bold, clean, and action-oriented, using teal, coral, and cream tones to promote a call to political advocacy.
A graphic styled like a news headline. At the top is the CalMatters logo with a multicolored geometric “L” shape. Large white text reads: “Newsom closed 4 prisons and trimmed payroll.” Below it, in bold red text: “Corrections spending is still over budget.” At the bottom, white text reads: “By Cayla Mihalovich | 11.21.25.” A teal-and-white logo with the word CURB appears in the lower-left corner, and a short link (bit.ly/11-21calmatters) appears at the bottom.
A bold advocacy graphic with a black, white, and lime-green color scheme. Text at the top reads: “CLOSE CA PRISONS” in white on a green banner. Large white text in the center says: “ACTION ALERT.” To the left, there’s a green megaphone icon. Below, smaller white text says: “STOP CDCR’s track record of retaliation and harm in the prison closure process! Safe releases & ethical transfers out of CRC NOW.” A bright green box on the right reads: “Write Gov Newsom TODAY.” At the bottom, there’s a blue and green logo labeled “CURB.” Underneath it, text says: “Click 2 Send Your Email Here: bit.ly/crcclosure.”
Title/Header: “COMMUNITY VICTORY” (in bold white text on a red background). Main Text: Large bold text in the center reads: “AB 1071 (KALRA)” “The Racial Justice Act: Court Procedures” Below that, bold white text says: “SIGNED INTO LAW” Banner Section: A dark blue ribbon banner reads: “Co-Sponsors” Background Design: Decorative fireworks in various colors on a teal-blue background. Bottom Row (Co-Sponsor Logos): Logos of the supporting organizations: USF School of Law Ella Baker Center for Human Rights California Public Defenders Association California Coalition for Women Prisoners (CCWP) Silicon Valley De-Bug CURB (Californians United for a Responsible Budget) Initiate Justice American Friends Service Committee Smart Justice California
A graphic from CalMatters with a faded background photo of prison buildings and a guard tower marked with the number 8. Overlaid are torn-paper style text boxes with quotes from incarcerated people: “I would say this is the hardest time that I’ve done, out of all of the facilities.” “The kitchen, the cooking area, there are cockroaches. There are so many rodents in here.” “There is no AC for any of the barracks we live in.” Below, a bold title reads: Inland Empire Newsletter — Incarcerated People in CRC Speak on Conditions at Norco Prison. Smaller text credits Aidan McGloin with the date 9.24.25. A black button with a white link at the bottom reads “bit.ly/cm9-24.”
Black and white photo of Assata Shakur in the background. With a quote from her autobiography in grey text highlighted in creme and pink - "I have been locked by the lawless. Handcuffed by the haters. Gagged by the greedy. And, if I know anything at all, it's that a wall is just a wall and nothing more at all. It can be broken down." - Assata Shakur, may she rest in power.
Graphic with a yellow banner at the top that reads: “Take Action Today.” Below, large white text says “AB 1071 (Kalra)” with a yellow megaphone icon. Smaller yellow text reads: “The Racial Justice Act: Court Procedures.” Big bold white text in the center says: “Made it to the Governor’s Desk!” Underneath, italicized white text says: “Send a support letter in today!” Along the bottom are logos of supporting organizations, including USF School of Law, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, California Public Defenders Association, CCWP, Silicon Valley De-Bug, CURB, Initiate Justice, American Friends Service Committee, and Smart Justice California.
A celebratory graphic with a teal background and yellow accents. At the top, bold yellow text reads: “COMMUNITY VICTORY.” Below, large white text says: “AB 1071 (Kalra)” with the subtitle in yellow: “The Racial Justice Act: Court Procedures.” In big white letters, it declares: “PASSED THE SENATE FLOOR!” Underneath, smaller white text says: “Next stop: Assembly Concurrence.” The bottom border is bright yellow with the slogan “FIGHTING TO WIN” in white. Firework illustrations decorate the corners. The CURB logo (a light blue California map shape with “CURB” across it) is placed at the lower left.
A bold green square graphic with white and black text. At the very top, large white text reads: “CLOSE CA PRISONS.” Below, even larger block text in white says: “TAKE ACTION,” with a small white megaphone icon above the word “ACTION.” On the left side, white text states: “Releases and humane transfers must be prioritized throughout the closure of CRC Norco.” On the right side, a solid black box with white text reads: “Write & Call Gov. Newsom Today.” At the bottom, a black banner runs across the width. On the left, a blue California state outline with the word “CURB” in white letters inside it. On the right, bright green and white text reads: “Template & Call Scripts Here: bit.ly/crcclosure.” The overall design uses green gradient tones for the background with faint megaphone graphics to emphasize urgency.
Top panel: A character is tied up with ropes and wearing a ghost-like disguise. Text above reads: “NEWSOM’S EXPANSION OF ‘CRIME SUPPRESSION TEAMS’”. Fred is reaching to pull off the mask. Bottom panel: The disguise has been removed, revealing the same character underneath, now labeled with text: “TRUMP’S EFFORTS TO MILITARIZE OUR CITIES”. Fred holds the mask in his hand, exposing the supposed true identity.
A graphic with a textured gray background features bold text that reads: “PROTECT” in large orange letters. “CALIFORNIA” in large teal letters below. Underneath, in smaller black text: “Life-saving services keep us safe NOT punishment and cages.” At the bottom left, there is a teal logo with the outline of California and the word “CURB” in white letters. Along the bottom right, black text reads: “Overview of the 2025-26 June Enacted Corrections Budget.”
White and red background with information in red and black text on AB 1071 and the press conference happening August 20th. The right panel of the graphic contains photos of the speakers who will be at the rally. The bottom contains logos of organizations co-sponsoring the bill
A graphic with a black-to-red gradient background. At the top is the Truthout logo in white. Large bold text in cream reads: “I SURVIVED A DEADLY DISEASE IN PRISON. NO ONE ELSE SHOULD HAVE TO FACE IT.” Beneath, smaller white text says: “By Duane Palm | August 9, 2025.” At the bottom, a black strip contains the CURB logo on the left and a link in white text: “tinyurl.com/8-9truthout.”