As reported in the Week Online two weeks ago, Queens, NY District Attorney Richard Brown is leading the effort to preserve New York's unjust and destructive Rockefeller Drug Laws (http://www.drcnet.org/wol/172.html#nydas). The William Moses Kunstler Fund for Racial Justice and Queens Mothers of the New York Disappeared are protesting at Brown's office at noon, February 28th. Terrence Stevens, a former Rockefeller drug war prisoner who received clemency less than a month ago asks drug war opponents in the New York area to join him. This is his invitation:
When I was granted clemency and subsequently released from Green Haven correctional facility in Jan. 31, 2001, I left behind thousands of nonviolent low level drug offenders warehoused in a brutal and sadistic prison system. A system where institutional racism is rampant and constantly on the rise. Even with advanced Muscular Dystrophy I was subjected to a daily dose of the most hideous form of racism. If they treated me that way, you can imagine how they treat prisoners who can walk.(See our Reformer's Calendar below for further information, or visit http://www.kunstler.org on the web.)
Despite the profound advances, I like so many others can attest to the reality that work is still needed to be done especially with prosecutors fighting to maintain the racist status quo of New York's legal system. I truly believe that if we continue to stick together and mobilize then Judgment Day is near. It is true, we are finally closer to change than ever before. We cannot give up. We cannot lose hope. I believe the injustices of these draconian laws will continue unabated if families, friends and former prisoners don't unite and struggle. We have worked extremely hard to get where we are today. Repeal of the Rockefeller Drug Laws can only be successful if enough of our supporters participate with us.
That is why this notice is so important. On Feb. 28th at 12 noon, my mother and I and other families of prisoners will be joining the "Mothers of the New York Disappeared" in a vigil/protest/press conference in front of the office of Queens District Attorney Richard Brown, who is the point man for stalling Rockefeller Drug Law reform. Mr. Brown is spreading dangerous disinformation about the laws. It is obvious that he is a power hungry individual insensitive to people of color. On that day I will challenge Mr. Brown to debate me on the issue of the Rockefeller Drug Laws. He will decline, of course, because he hasn't the courage to face the people whose lives he and his kind have destroyed. Please join me and Elaine Bartlett, Donna Charles, Tony Papa, Frank Serpico, Grandpa Al Lewis, Margaret Kunstler, WBAI's Bernard White to name a few. Call our hotline at (212) 539-8441.
United we stand and divided we fall. It is imperative that you notify as many people as possible to participate. In spite of the severity of my deteriorating disease I will be there because I owe to my brothers and sisters still suffering behind New York's scandalous prison walls. God bless and I hope you will try to make this momentous event.
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| Issue #174, 2/23/01 New Report Rakes Clinton on Imprisonment | The Coca-Go-Round: Peruvian Production Starts to Increase as Spraying Destroys Colombian Fields | Washington State Hardliners Pitch Kindler, Gentler Drug War in Bid to Preempt Deeper Reforms | New Mexico: Update on Gov. Johnson's Drug Reform Package | Feds vs. Bongs: Heads Up for Head Shops | Newsbrief: American Pilots in Firefight With Colombian Rebels | Marijuana Has Less Adverse Effect on Driving Than Alcohol, Tiredness, UK Study Says | Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Cooperative Legal Briefs Online | An Invitation to Help Repeal the Rockefeller Drug Laws | | Erratum: Three Strikes Clarification | The Reformer's Calendar | Editorial: The Peace Process |
This issue -- main page This issue -- single-file printer version Drug War Chronicle -- main page Chronicle archives |
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StoptheDrugWar.org: the Drug Reform Coordination Network (DRCNet)
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