From Indivisible Oregon...
**CALL TO ACTION**
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
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ATTORNEY GENERAL PUSHES LONGER PRISON TERMS FOR NON-VIOLENT OFFENDERS
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#JUSTSAYNOTOWARONDRUGS
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
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ATTORNEY GENERAL PUSHES LONGER PRISON TERMS FOR NON-VIOLENT OFFENDERS
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#JUSTSAYNOTOWARONDRUGS
AG Sessions is taking his crusade against criminal justice reform from Congress to the Department of Justice. He is taking America in a harsh, discriminatory direction, which is unacceptable.
--Sessions has reinstated the unsuccessful, racially discriminatory War on Drugs, mandated harsh treatment for immigrants, and stopped phasing out private prisons. http://bit.ly/2rb1jSQ
--The DOJ rescinded the policy that low level drug offenders not face charges triggering long mandatory minimum sentence and ordered US attorneys to seek the highest penalties. http://nyti.ms/2rME5zp
--Blowback to the DOJ policy was immediate. Sens. Merkley, Leahy, and Paul introduced the Justice Safety Valve Act (S.1127), amending current law to allow judges to sentence below mandatory minimums under certain circumstances. H.R.2435, the companion bill was introduced by Reps. Massie and Scott. http://wapo.st/2rwX2J0 .
--15 Attorneys General (including Oregon’s) and 30 current and former state and local prosecutors (including the Deschutes County District Attorney) also roundly condemned this policy. http://bit.ly/2q518rY; http://wapo.st/2qdn545
Sen. Merkley is leading the charge against Sessions’ crusade with S.1127. Oregon MoCs also co-sponsored legislation that will block ICE agents from stalking sensitive locations. http://bit.ly/2nP4vOC; http://bit.ly/2qSEIay. We must make sure they all keep up the strong work for our civil and human rights.
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**ACTION 1: CALL BOTH SENATORS**
SAMPLE SCRIPT SEN. MERKLEY:
“My name is [--] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon. I am appalled that Attorney General Jeff Sessions seeks to reinstate the failed “War on Drugs” and mandatory harsh sentencing which could undo years of successful bipartisan justice reform and target the poor and communities of color. I want to thank Sen. Merkley for introducing S.1127, the Justice Safety Valve Act, which would restore humane and fair sentencing. I urge him to push for its speedy passage, and seek other ways to resist Mr. Session’s cruel and unusual approach to criminal justice.”
“My name is [--] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon. I am appalled that Attorney General Jeff Sessions seeks to reinstate the failed “War on Drugs” and mandatory harsh sentencing which could undo years of successful bipartisan justice reform and target the poor and communities of color. I want to thank Sen. Merkley for introducing S.1127, the Justice Safety Valve Act, which would restore humane and fair sentencing. I urge him to push for its speedy passage, and seek other ways to resist Mr. Session’s cruel and unusual approach to criminal justice.”
SAMPLE SCRIPT SEN. WYDEN:
“I am appalled that Attorney General Jeff Sessions seeks to reinstate the failed “War on Drugs” and mandatory harsh sentencing which could undo years of successful bipartisan justice reform and target the poor and communities of color. I am calling today to ask Sen. Wyden to work for speedy passage of S.1127, the Justice Safety Valve Act, which would restore humane and fair sentencing. I also urge him to seek other ways to resist Mr. Session’s cruel and unusual approach to criminal justice.”
“I am appalled that Attorney General Jeff Sessions seeks to reinstate the failed “War on Drugs” and mandatory harsh sentencing which could undo years of successful bipartisan justice reform and target the poor and communities of color. I am calling today to ask Sen. Wyden to work for speedy passage of S.1127, the Justice Safety Valve Act, which would restore humane and fair sentencing. I also urge him to seek other ways to resist Mr. Session’s cruel and unusual approach to criminal justice.”
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**ACTION 2: CALL YOUR US REPRESENTATIVE**
Find yours: http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/
**ACTION 2: CALL YOUR US REPRESENTATIVE**
Find yours: http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/
SAMPLE SCRIPT:
“My name is [--] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon. I am appalled that Attorney General Jeff Sessions seeks to reinstate the failed “War on Drugs” and mandatory harsh sentencing which would undo years of successful bipartisan justice reform AND disproportionately affect communities of color. I am calling today to ask the Representative to push for speedy passage of H.R.2435, the Justice Safety Valve Act, which would restore humane and fair sentencing. I also urge [her/him], and to seek other ways to resist the Attorney General’s cruel and unusual approach to criminal justice.”
“My name is [--] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon. I am appalled that Attorney General Jeff Sessions seeks to reinstate the failed “War on Drugs” and mandatory harsh sentencing which would undo years of successful bipartisan justice reform AND disproportionately affect communities of color. I am calling today to ask the Representative to push for speedy passage of H.R.2435, the Justice Safety Valve Act, which would restore humane and fair sentencing. I also urge [her/him], and to seek other ways to resist the Attorney General’s cruel and unusual approach to criminal justice.”
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**ACTION 3: CALL FRIENDS AND FAMILY**
Urge them to call their Members of Congress to support the Justice Safety Valve Act. Tell them that the bill has bi-partisan support – a rarity in this Congress.
**ACTION 3: CALL FRIENDS AND FAMILY**
Urge them to call their Members of Congress to support the Justice Safety Valve Act. Tell them that the bill has bi-partisan support – a rarity in this Congress.
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**ACTION 4: CALL THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE** (202-353-1555)
SAMPLE SCRIPT:
**ACTION 4: CALL THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE** (202-353-1555)
SAMPLE SCRIPT:
“I am calling to express my outrage at Attorney General Sessions’ policy on mandatory minimum sentencing. This harsh, cruel, and unusual policy reverses years of successful bipartisan justice reform. It will overwhelm our prisons, cost us money, and do nothing to make us safe. As Mr. Sessions is well aware, it wall also disproportionately target the poor communities of color. I ask the Attorney General to reverse this policy and return sentencing discretion to federal prosecutors immediately.Thank you for your time and attention.”
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**PHONE NUMBERS**
SENATOR MERKLEY
Portland: (503) 326-3386, DC: (202) 224-3753
Salem: (503) 362-8102, Eugene: (541) 465-6750
Medford: (541) 608-9102, Bend: (541) 318-1298
Pendleton: (541) 278-1129
Portland: (503) 326-3386, DC: (202) 224-3753
Salem: (503) 362-8102, Eugene: (541) 465-6750
Medford: (541) 608-9102, Bend: (541) 318-1298
Pendleton: (541) 278-1129
SENATOR WYDEN
Portland: (503) 326-7525, DC: (202) 224-5244
Salem: (503) 589-4555, Eugene: (541) 431-0229
Medford: (541) 858-5122, Bend: (541) 330-9142
La Grande: (541) 962-7691
Portland: (503) 326-7525, DC: (202) 224-5244
Salem: (503) 589-4555, Eugene: (541) 431-0229
Medford: (541) 858-5122, Bend: (541) 330-9142
La Grande: (541) 962-7691
CONGRESSWOMAN SUZANNE BONAMICI [D1]
DC: (202) 225-0855, OR: (503) 469-6010
DC: (202) 225-0855, OR: (503) 469-6010
CONGRESSMAN GREG WALDEN [D2]
DC (202) 225-6730, Medford: (541) 776-4646,
Bend (541) 389-4408, La Grande (541) 624-2400
DC (202) 225-6730, Medford: (541) 776-4646,
Bend (541) 389-4408, La Grande (541) 624-2400
CONGRESSMAN EARL BLUMENAUER [D3]
DC: (202) 225-4811, OR: (503) 231-2300
DC: (202) 225-4811, OR: (503) 231-2300
CONGRESSMAN PETER DEFAZIO [D4]
DC 202-225-6416, Eugene: (541) 465-6732,
Roseburg: (541) 440-3523, Coos Bay (541) 269-2609
DC 202-225-6416, Eugene: (541) 465-6732,
Roseburg: (541) 440-3523, Coos Bay (541) 269-2609
CONGRESSMAN KURT SCHRADER [D5]
DC: (202) 225-5711, Salem (503) 588-9100,
Oregon City (503) 557-1324
DC: (202) 225-5711, Salem (503) 588-9100,
Oregon City (503) 557-1324
** After you call, please comment below and briefly share your experience!**
https://www.nytimes.com/…/mandatory-sentencing-sessions-hol…
https://www.nytimes.com/…/mandatory-sentencing-sessions-hol…
