Terry Keleher

Take Action to End Racial Disparities in Drug Sentencing

cartoon: Khalil Bendib

Today is National Call-In Day in a month-long “Crack the Disparity” campaign to eliminate the sentencing disparity between crack and powder campaign.

The Sentencing Project is mobilizing thousands of people across the country to phone their members of Congress in a coordinated push to end this 23-year failed policy that results in disproportionately high incarceration rates for people of color. African Americans make up over 80% of the individuals who are serving time for crack offenses despite making up a minority of crack cocaine users.

The Sentencing Project urges people to call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard right now at 202.224.3121, and ask to speak to your representatives in the Senate and House. Urge them to support and co-sponsor H.R. 265, the Drug Sentencing Reform and Cocaine Kingpin Trafficking Act in the House and legislation in the Senate that eliminates the 100 to 1 disparity between crack and powder cocaine. You should place three calls because you have one representative and two senators. Click here for more talking points.

Posted at 1:36 PM, Apr 23, 2009 in Criminal Justice | Permalink | View Comments