A Note from Color of Change re: racial disparities in prison sentencing

[Number23]

Dear (#23) :),

The so-called "war on drugs" has devastated Black communities, leaving 1 in 15 Black adults in America behind bars (1). It's largely a result of unfair sentencing rules, like the federal law that treats 5 grams of crack cocaine -- the kind found in poor Black communities -- the same as 500 grams of powder cocaine (2) the kind that dominates White and wealthier ones. And these rules have done virtually nothing to reduce drug use and crime. (#23 comment: 5 grams of crack = 500 grams of powder??! This is UNREAL.)

The Senate Judiciary Committee will likely vote soon on a bill (3) to end the sentencing disparity at the federal level. It's a critical moment.

Can you make a quick phone call urging to support elimination of this disparity?

It's easy. The phone number and a simple script you can follow are below. Once you've called, please let us know by clicking the link just below the script.

Here's a brief script you can use when you call (or feel free to come up with your own):

Hi, I'm calling from (your city). I'm calling to urge Senator (senator's name) to vote to completely eliminate the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine. These unfair laws fuel unequal justice, and they make no sense. Congress needs to pass a strong bill this year to end this form of discrimination. While legislators delay on this important issue, our communities suffer because of unequal sentences for crack offenses. Will the senator vote in support of Senator Durbin's bill to eliminate the sentencing disparity?

Once you've called, please let us know so we can track our progress, by clicking here:

http://colorofchange.org/cpcalls10/

The House Judiciary Committee has already passed its version of the bill (4), and now the fight will likely be won or lost in the Senate. Some senators want to reduce the sentencing disparity, but not eliminate it. But this would still mean that people caught with crack, who are often Black and poor, would receive sentences vastly disproportionate to people caught with powder cocaine. As Bill Piper of the Drug Policy Alliance says, that "would be like amending the Constitution's three-fifths clause to make African-Americans fourth-fifth's citizens, or desegregating 60 percent of public establishments instead of all of them." (5)

We need our senators to support a full and fair version of this important legislation, not a watered-down compromise bill that would leave an unfair, destructive disparity in place. Can you take a moment to call on your senator to do the right thing?

Thanks and Peace,

-- James, Gabriel, William, Dani, Milton and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
March 4, 2010

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://act.colorofchange.org/go/5?akid=1364.420981.07ZVdC&t=4

References

1. "1 in 100 U.S. Adults Behind Bars, New Study Says," New York Times, 02-28-08
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/82?akid=1364.420981.07ZVdC&t=6

2. "Crack/Cocaine Sentencing Disparity," Drug Policy Alliance
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/83?akid=1364.420981.07ZVdC&t=8

3. "S.1789 - Fair Sentencing Act of 2009"
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/84?akid=1364.420981.07ZVdC&t=10

4. "Bad science and bad policy," The New York Times, 3-2-10
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/88?akid=1364.420981.07ZVdC&t=12 (#23 comment - this is a good, short read)

5. "Congress to Hold Historic Hearing Tuesday on Draconian 100-to-1 Crack/Powder Sentencing Disparity," Drug Policy Alliance, 02-25-08
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/86?akid=1364.420981.07ZVdC&t=14

[Fire1]

1. Thanks Number 23. This has been on my mind for a long time.

I WILL donate, asap!

[Number23]

2. They seem to be a good group, don't they??

Personally, it makes my heart sing whenever I see politically active black people. :)

[Number23]

3. D'oh! They forgot the darn phone numbers!

The e-mail didn't include the phone numbers of Senate members! They can be reached here:

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm