« All Events

  • This event has passed.

Tell Albany to fix broken marijuana laws

May 22, 2013 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Time is running out in Albany to fix the broken marijuana laws. Can you join us in calling on Albany to act?

We began the year with Gov. Cuomo speaking passionately about racial equity and fairness during his State of the State Address, citing marijuana arrests major problem and making reform a priority. (1) Then in March, because of your efforts, it looked like reform was at hand. But then Albany went on vacation, delaying reform yet again. (2, 3). And Gov. Cuomo has dropped the issue from his list of priorities. (4)

Now, a reform measure is moving again – last week, A.6716a (Camara) passed the Codes Committee. It’s now ready for full vote in the Assembly. We need to remind lawmakers and Gov. Cuomo that equity and fairness in policing and our drug policies should be among their top priorities. Justice delayed is justice denied.

We’re headed to Albany! On Wednesday, May 22, we’re going back to Albany to call for reform. Join us! Busses are leaving from Brooklyn and Harlem, and cars are coming from Syracuse, Buffalo, Rochester, New Paltz, and Poughkeepsie. Check out the flier here.

Legislative session ends soon – I hope you’ll join us next week in Albany, and if not, please, send Albany your own message now.

Thanks for all you do.

gabriel sayegh
State Director
Drug Policy Alliance

LOBBY DAY IN ALBANY Wednesday, May 22,

Demand an END to unlawful, racist, and costly marijuana arrests in NY!

WHAT: Rally and Press Conference a press conference with Assm. Karim Camara and other members of the legislature. Tell Albany we’ve had enough! Stop making racist marijuana  arrests!
WHEN: Wednesday, May 22nd (Leaving NYC 7am SHARP)  Rally at Albany State Capital 1pm
WHY: The New York Police Department has spent ONE MILLION HOURS making 440,000 marijuana arrests. These racist arrests cost New York  City taxpayers $75 million a year – and 85% of those arrested for  marijuana are Black or Latino,  even though whites possess  marijuana at higher rates.

Let’s tell lawmakers: the TIME FOR REFORM IS NOW.

BUS INFORMATION:

Leaving 7:00 a.m. SHARP

NYC Bus stop 1: Brooklyn @ VOCAL
80-A Fourth Ave. (2,3,4,5,B,Q trains to Atlantic St and W,N,R,D trains to Pacific St)
NYC Bus stop 2: Manhattan @ NYHRE
121st and Lexington Office (4,5,6, 125th Street Station)

UPSTATE Allies: Want to join? Transportation is being organized from Syracuse, Buffalo, and Rochester.

For more information, contact Kassandra Frederique at [email protected] or 646.209.0374

To see the flyer and spread the word, click here: http://bit.ly/AlbanyAction

REFERENCES

(1) The New York Times — Governor Cuomo’s Wish List — January 9, 2013 –  http://nyti.ms/128RRbH
(2) The New York Times  – Out of One Gram of Marijuana, a ‘Manufactured Misdemeanor’ –  March 21,2013 – http://nyti.ms/YHdrFh
(3) The Huffington Post – New York Marijuana Reform Advocates Blast ‘Ugly’ Budget Negotiations – March 21,2013 – http://huff.to/YHdv85
(4) NY Daily News – A to-do list for New York lawmakers – May 6, 2013 –  http://nydn.us/14kJ4VO

Details

Date:
May 22, 2013
Time:
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Venue

Albany State Capital
Albany, NY United States

Organizer

Drug Policy Alliance
Phone
646.209.0374
Email
kfrederique@drugpolicy.org
View Organizer Website