New Campaign Featuring Carmelo Anthony, Michael Eric Dyson, and Leyna Bloom Shines a Light on Cash Bail Injustice

Oct. 03, 2024

The Ad Council and The Bail Project have joined forces to launch a new campaign of public service announcements (PSAs) aimed at raising awareness about the injustice of cash bail. Featuring NBA legend, entrepreneur and philanthropist legend Carmelo Anthony; renowned professor, author and media personality Michael Eric Dyson; and actress, model, and activist Leyna Bloom, the PSAs were produced in collaboration with Scheme Engine and Director Charles Todd, and are part of a nationwide effort to highlight how the cash bail system creates a two-tiered justice system – one for those with money and another for everyone else.

Although the United States Constitution prohibits excessive bail, nearly half a million Americans are held in jail on any given day without having been convicted of a crime, simply because their bail is beyond what they can afford. As a result, they’re effectively punished before being proven guilty, undermining the presumption of innocence. The consequences are dire: prolonged pretrial incarceration leads to job loss, housing instability or homelessness, and family separations, disproportionately affecting low-income communities and people of color.

The campaign, titled Freedom Should Be Free, features visually striking portraits to convey the urgency of reform. Carmelo Anthony, Michael Eric Dyson, and Leyna Bloom speak directly to the American public, emphasizing the need for change. With one in two Americans having a family member or loved one who has experienced incarceration, the campaign encourages viewers to see the issue not just through a personal lens but also as a matter of principle – one rooted in the shared belief that justice should be equal for all.

NBA legend, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Carmelo Anthony said:

“Justice should be fair and accessible to everyone, regardless of background or financial means. The cash bail system creates challenges for those who can’t afford it, impacting families and communities in significant ways. It’s a privilege to be part of this campaign with The Bail Project and the Ad Council to bring attention to this issue and support efforts to work toward a justice system that treats everyone equally, no matter their circumstances."

 

Michael Eric Dyson, renowned professor, author, and media personality said:

"In the United States, wealth-based detention undermines our constitutional freedoms and devastates families – particularly Black and brown families – all while padding the pockets of an exploitive for-profit bail bonds industry. I’m proud to stand with The Bail Project in this campaign to rid this country of the deep injustice created by cash bail.”

 

David Gaspar, Chief Executive Officer of The Bail Project said:

“To truly uphold the promise of equal justice under the law, we must restore the presumption of innocence. Ending wealth-based detention is the first critical step toward achieving that goal. This campaign delivers a clear and urgent message: justice should not be for sale – it must be equal for all.”

 

Charles Todd, Director at Scheme Engine said:

“This campaign delivers clarity to an often misunderstood issue. Cash bail is an immoral practice that fails to recognize its own biases. Reforming this broken system is an actionable step towards a more just and equitable society.”