We would like to invite you to a series of exciting events over the next week.
On September 24, Congresswoman Maxine Waters will convene an issue forum titled, "Elimination of Mandatory Minimum Sentences: New Opportunities to End Old Policies." The forum will outline the failure of mandatory minimums and highlight a new opportunity for reform in the 110th Congress. Featured speakers include Julie Stewart, president of Families Against Mandatory Minimums, Kemba Smith, founder and president of the Kemba Smith Foundation, U.S. District Court Judge Terry Hatter, Professor Charles Ogletree and other experts.
The panel will start at 1 p.m. in Room 201 of the Washington Convention Center as part of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 2009 Annual Legislative Conference. The panel is open to the public, though you will be required to register to enter the Convention Center. If you attend, please come up and say hello to Julie after the panel!
On September 27 you are invited to a special, free screening of the Crack the Disparity Coalition's original, short documentary "Crack the Disparity: It's Not Fair. It's Not Working." The film was directed by Howard University film professor Alonzo Crawford and highlights the history of crack legislation in Congress, and its effect on low-income and African-American communities. You can see a trailer of the short documentary here:
http://www.youtube.com/crackthedisparity#play/uploads/5/A3qkQLhUDv0
Following the film, there will be a panel discussion featuring many of those highlighted in the film.
The film will start at 8 p.m. at Busboys & Poets (1025 5th Street, NW, Washington, DC). The event is free and open to the public.
For more information about these and other FAMM events, please see the calendar on our website.