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We should be demanding a decriminalization of "controlled
substances," funds for the treatment of addiction as a medical and
not a legal problem (as in some European jurisdictions), the release
of all those convicted of non-violent drug crimes, and an end to the
racist and repressive "War on Drugs."<br>
<br>
This is sort of like demanding that those in prison for drinking
alcohol in 1932 have their sentences reduced: necessary, but not
sufficient. <br>
<br>
<br>
On 7/6/11 1:04 PM, Jenifer Cartwright wrote:
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<td style="font: inherit;" valign="top">Some good news, for
a change...
<div> --Jenifer<br>
<br>
--- On <b>Tue, 7/5/11, Dani McClain, ColorOfChange.org
<i><a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:info@colorofchange.org"><info@colorofchange.org></a></i></b> wrote:
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Dear Jenifer,
</p>
<p style="margin: 1em 0pt;">Last week brought a
major victory in the ongoing effort to eliminate
unjust and racially discriminatory drug sentencing
laws from our system.
</p>
<p style="margin: 1em 0pt;">
The United States Sentencing Commission voted
Thursday to apply the 2010 crack cocaine guideline
retroactively. The vote means that approximately
12,000 people currently serving time for federal
crack offenses are eligible to have their
sentences reduced.<sup>1</sup>
</p>
<p style="margin: 1em 0pt;">
It's a monumental step toward justice, and you and
more than 9,000 other ColorOfChange.org members
played an important role by calling on the
commission last month to do the right thing. The
commission's members were able to make such a bold
and courageous step because you have remained
vigilant and engaged.
</p>
<p style="margin: 1em 0pt;">
The fight isn't over,<sup>2</sup> and Congress
will need to act to provide full relief to victims
of the misguided sentencing laws that for decades
treated crack, which is often found in low-income
Black communities, 100 times more harshly than
powder cocaine. ColorOfChange will continue to
give you opportunities to engage in the movement
to end the over-incarceration that
disproportionately affects Black communities.
</p>
<p style="margin: 1em 0pt;">
Thanks and Peace,</p>
<p style="margin: 1em 0px;">
-- Dani, Rashad, James, Gabriel, William, Matt,
Natasha and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team<br>
July 5th, 2011</p>
<p style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<strong>Help support our work.</strong>
ColorOfChange.org is powered by YOU--your energy
and dollars. We take no money from lobbyists or
large corporations that don't share our values,
and our tiny staff ensures your contributions go a
long way. You can contribute here: </p>
<p style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<a moz-do-not-send="true" rel="nofollow"
target="_blank"
href="http://coc.actionkit.com/go/698?akid=2056.394109.wKDs8n&t=1">http://coc.actionkit.com/donate/donate/
</a></p>
<p style="margin: 1em 0px;">
References
</p>
<p style="margin: 1em 0px;">
1. "U.S. Sentencing Commission Makes New Crack
Sentencing Guidelines Retroactive," The American
Prospect, 6-30-11
<br>
<a moz-do-not-send="true" rel="nofollow"
target="_blank"
href="http://act.colorofchange.org/go/890?akid=2056.394109.wKDs8n&t=2">http://act.colorofchange.org/go/890?akid=2056.394109.wKDs8n&t=3</a>
</p>
<p style="margin: 1em 0px;">
2. “The Next Battle for Crack Cocaine Sentence
Reform? Congress,” Colorlines, 7-1-11
<br>
<a moz-do-not-send="true" rel="nofollow"
target="_blank"
href="http://act.colorofchange.org/go/891?akid=2056.394109.wKDs8n&t=4">http://act.colorofchange.org/go/891?akid=2056.394109.wKDs8n&t=5</a>
</p>
<p style="font-size: small;"> -- <br>
<a moz-do-not-send="true" rel="nofollow"
target="_blank"
href="http://act.colorofchange.org/cms/unsubscribe/unsubscribe/?akid=2056.394109.wKDs8n&t=6">You
can unsubscribe from this mailing list at any
time.</a> </p>
<img moz-do-not-send="true"
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