Tomorrow: Russell Simmons, Hundreds of New Yorkers to Rally at Gov’s Office to End Rockefeller Drug Laws
March 24, 2009 – On Wednesday, hundreds of people -- including Russell Simmons and Meile Rockefeller and the families of those in prison for drug offenses, people who were formerly incarcerated, doctors, lawyers and advocates -- will rally at Governor Paterson’s 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 Now hundreds of people will gather outside his office to demand an end to the outdated, discriminatory laws.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 York’s Rockefeller Drug Laws
When:
Wednesday, March 25, 1 p.m.
Where:
Governor Paterson’s office, 633 3rd Ave., between 40th and 41st
1 comment:
Janee,
Thanks for highlighting the film, and adding a voice to the movement. We shot a few minutes worth of stuff at the rally that your readers can view here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuKpl2YZdp0&feature=channel_page .
It looks like Albany is going to make a deal as well!
-MBM A19 Staff
www.lockdownusa.com
Post a Comment