Stop Discriminatory Sentencing

Misguided politicians and their "war on drugs" have created a national disaster: 1 in 9 Black men between the ages of 20 and 34 are now behind bars (and 1 in 15 Black adults overall). It's a man-made disaster, fueled by unfair sentencing rules.

These rules treat 5 grams of crack cocaine—the kind common in poor Black communities—the same as 500 grams of powder cocaine, the kind prevalent in White and wealthier communities.

Tell Congress to challenge unequal justice right now by ending unfair sentencing laws.

Add your voice now!

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Here is the statement we'll send to your senators and your representative in the House. You can also add a personal comment in the box provided below.

Dear Senator [Senator's name] /
Dear Rep. [Rep's name],
I'm writing to request that you support legislation that eliminates the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine offenses, not merely legislation that reduces the disparity.
Crack laws are a major factor fueling the disproportionate imprisonment of African-Americans. Although Black people represent only 13 percent of drug users, 38 percent of people arrested for drug offenses and 59 percent of those convicted are Black. Before mandatory minimums for crack cocaine were passed in 1986, federal drug sentences were on average 11 percent higher for Black people than for Whites. Four years later, the average drug sentence for Black people was 49 percent higher. Clearly, this law has a discriminatory effect. Reducing that injustice, rather than eliminating it completely, would not make sense.
Bills are in motion in the House and Senate that will eliminate the 100 to 1 disparity and challenge this unequal justice in our federal drug policy.
I urge you to support fully eliminating the sentencing disparity.
Sincerely,
[Your name]