For Immediate Release: March 23, 2009
Contact: Jennifer Carnig at 212.607.3363 or [email protected], Correctional Association Contacts: Caitlin Dunklee at 646-269-7344, Bob Gangi at 917-327-7648
Wednesday: Hundreds to Rally at Patersonâs NYC Office to End Rockefeller Drug Laws
March 23, 2009 â On Wednesday, hundreds of people, including the families of those in prison for drug offenses, people who were formerly incarcerated, doctors, lawyers and advocates, will rally at Governor Patersonâs Manhattan office to urge him and legislative leaders to end the Rockefeller Drug Laws.
The Rockefeller Drug Laws mandate extremely harsh sentences for sale or possession of small amounts of drugs. Most of the thousands of people incarcerated under Rockefeller are low-level drug offenders, and most come from just a handful of low-income New York City neighborhoods. Ninety percent are black or Latino even though most people who use and sell drugs are white.
In 2002, Paterson, then a state senator, was arrested in an act of civil disobedience promoting a proposed overhaul of the Rockefeller Drug Laws outside of the New York City offices of then-Governor George Pataki. Now hundreds of people will gather outside his office to demand an end to the outdated, discriminatory laws.
What:
Rally to end New Yorkâs Rockefeller Drug Laws
When:
Wednesday, March 25, 1 p.m.
Where:
Governor Patersonâs office, 633 3rd Ave., between 40th and 41st
Who:
The Rev. Calvin Butts, Abyssinian Baptist Church
Drop the Rock
New York Civil Liberties Union
Correctional Association of New York
Drug Policy Alliance
The Fortune Society
Exponents
Mothers of the Disappeared
Center for Community Alternatives
Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Providers (ASAP)
The Bronx Defenders
Womenâs Prison Association
Families Rally for Emancipation and Empowerment (FREE)
JusticeWorks Community
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