Dear FAMM supporter:
It’s been hotter than heck in Washington, D.C. but…FAMM has been, too!
After a remarkable hearing before the U.S. Sentencing Commission on June 1, the Washington Post came out on June 10 with this fantastic editorial echoing our position on retroactivity for prisoners serving crack cocaine sentences. We’re thrilled they agree that retroactivity should apply to all eligible crack prisoners.
On June 30, the Commission will take their final vote on retroactivity FAMM members are welcome to attend this historic event. The vote will be held at 1 p.m. Click here to read the official notice. If you plan to come to D.C., let us know by emailing intern1@famm.org.
Also on June 10, the Washington Times features an excellent FAMM op-ed highlighting the story of a Florida man sentenced to 20 years for protecting his family with a gun. Read the full story here. The story is important for many reasons but especially because in Florida, we are gearing up for the next legislative session and are determined to show lawmakers in the Sunshine State the human face of their harsh, inflexible sentencing laws.
Our merry band of reformers has also been busy in Massachusetts, where we are preparing for a hearing on our mandatory minimum reform bills. We plan to make sure the legislature’s Judiciary Committee hears why reform is needed NOW! The hearing will take place on July 26th at the State House in Boston.
Lastly, a little housekeeping: We promised we’d send you the video tape of FAMM member Natasha Darrington’s and my testimony before the U.S. Sentencing Commission. Click here to see and hear the testimony – especially the compelling remarks Natasha gave in support of making the crack guideline changes retroactive. (You can read our written statements here.)
As always, we will do our best to keep you updated on these and other matters - but you don’t need to wait for our emails. You can follow our latest and greatest hits on our website, blog or Facebook.
Thanks for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Julie
Julie Stewart
FAMM President and Founder