Action: Stop Crack Disparity
National Call-In Day to "Crack the Disparity"
This Thursday, April 23, you can help end the federal sentencing disparities between crack and powder cocaine. Join thousands of people across the country for the National Call-in Day to “Crack the Disparity.”
Call your Federal Senators and Representative Thursday (phone numbers are listed below) and let them know that now is the time to end the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine. It’s time to end twenty-three years of failed drug policy that has disproportionately targeted and incarcerated African Americans, filled prisons, and cost taxpayers millions of dollars.
Ask your Representative to co-sponsor H.R. 265, the Drug Sentencing Reform and Cocaine Kingpin Trafficking Act of 2009, and your Senators to support reforms like H.R. 265. Make sure to let them know you’re a constituent calling from Oregon. Here are some messages to include in your call:
The disparity is not based on science – Crack and powder cocaine affect the brain in similar ways. The 100-to-1 sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine isn’t based on science and overstates the dangerousness of crack. (The 100-to-1 disparity means 5 grams of crack gets the same sentence as 500 grams of cocaine.
It’s racially biased - Enforcement disproportionately locks up more African Americans. While two-thirds of crack cocaine users are white or Latino, 80% of people in federal prisons for crack cocaine are African American.
It’s a waste of money - The law wastes our limited tax dollars by prosecuting and filling federal prisons with low level dealers and users.
U.S. Senators:
Senator Jeff Merkley (202) 224-3753
Senator Ron Wyden (202) 224-5244
The “Crack the Disparity” call-in day is part of a national campaign to end the disparity between crack and powder cocaine. Coordinating groups include Families Against Mandatory Minimums and The Sentencing Project.
Thank you for participating in the National Call-In Day to Crack the Disparity!
