For Immediate Release: December 22, 2023
Contact: media@colorofchange.org

Color Of Change Statement on Biden Clemency Announcement
The following statement can be attributed to Rashad Robinson, President of Color Of Change.

“President Biden and the Department of Justice’s announcement today of clemency for 11 people serving disproportionately long drug offenses is the direct result of advocates and families speaking out for change over the years. This decision would not have happened without Black people, young people and folks of color turning out to vote and applying pressure on the people we elect to represent us.”

“While many celebrate the announcement, we know it’s not enough, the administration should and can go further. It’s past time for the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services to deschedule marijuana all together. Doing so would end the federal prohibition on cannabis and provide an important economic boon for the industry. It should also include economic investment and restoration for the communities harmed by this unjust war.”

“These kinds of charges have been used to needlessly rip millions of Black people away from their communities.  Meanwhile, marijuana has been practically legal for rich people and white people for years, while also being the main financial benefactors of practices that put others behind bars for the same actions. President Biden is right, ‘Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach.’ Too much money has been spent to and too much pain and harm inflicted from the lack of comprehensive action on this long standing issue. We look forward to watching today’s 11 families be reunited and will fight for more reunification in the near future.”

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