Please join us at the Yonkers Public Library on Thursday, February 21st at 6:00 pm for a special screening of The House I Live In, a searing documentary account of America ’s failed War on Drugs. A panel discussion and question-and-answer session will follow the film, exploring the causes of and remedies for racially-biased drug law enforcement in Westchester County, with a particular focus on low-level marijuana arrests. The panel will include Shanequa, a lifelong Yonkers resident featured in the film, as well as local criminal defense attorneys, community members, and representatives from the Drug Policy Alliance and New York Civil Liberties Union.
Westchester County experiences some of the most racially disparate marijuana law enforcement in the state, with Blacks and Latinos nearly ten times more likely than Whites to be arrested for public possession of marijuana. Why is this and what can be done about it? Share your voice and learn about proposed changes to state law that would undercut racially-biased police practices, keeping thousands of young people out of the criminal justice system while freeing valuable resources to focus on serious crime. We hope to see you there!
