March 14, 2014. WLKY.COM
LOUISVILLE, Ky. —A group that gathered in downtown Louisville wasn’t thinking outside the box, they wanted it banned.
Citizens of Louisville Organized and United Together, also known as CLOUT, held a rally outside Louisville Metro Hall Thursday evening calling for the removal of the convicted felon box on initial job applications.
CLOUT said it conducted 26 research meetings in the past 18 months and found that 160,000 Louisville residents have a criminal record.
Pastor Larry Sykes said it’s not fair for potential employees who don’t have violent criminal histories.
“There are many citizens who are qualified to do the work, but they don’t often get that chance because employees often use that box as a way to weed out employees,” said Sykes.
After the rally CLOUT members went to the Louisville Metro Council meeting.
Council members approved an ordinance Thursday night that would remove the convicted felon box from job applications.
