[Peace-discuss] Fw: Thank you - your work against unjust drug laws paid off

[Jenifer Cartwright]

Some good news, for a change... --Jenifer

--- On Tue, 7/5/11, Dani McClain, ColorOfChange.org <info at colorofchange.org> wrote:
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Dear Jenifer,

Last week brought a major victory in the ongoing effort to eliminate unjust and racially discriminatory drug sentencing laws from our system.


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.1


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.


The fight isn't over,2 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.


Thanks and Peace,

-- Dani, Rashad, James, Gabriel, William, Matt, Natasha and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team

   July 5th, 2011

Help support our work. 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: 

http://coc.actionkit.com/donate/donate/


References


1. "U.S. Sentencing Commission Makes New Crack Sentencing Guidelines Retroactive," The American Prospect, 6-30-11

http://act.colorofchange.org/go/890?akid=2056.394109.wKDs8n&t=3


2. “The Next Battle for Crack Cocaine Sentence Reform? Congress,” Colorlines, 7-1-11

http://act.colorofchange.org/go/891?akid=2056.394109.wKDs8n&t=5


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