December 19, 2012
There are just 13 days left until 2013! That means you have only 13 days to take advantage of FAMM’s matching grant opportunity. From now until the end of the month, a generous FAMM supporter will match every tax-deductible donation you make to FAMM. A $25 donation becomes $50 and a $1,000 donation turns into $2,000. Now is the time to donate!
Your support will enable FAMM to step up the fight against stupid sentencing laws in 2013. This past year, thanks to our generous contributors, we were able to:
- Win hard-fought mandatory minimum reforms in Massachusetts. FAMM’s Massachusetts team succeeded in reforming the state’s “school zone” law, reducing the length of some mandatory minimum sentences, making drug offenders serving mandatory minimums eligible for parole at an earlier date or for the first time ever;
- Release a comprehensive and well-received report on the need for more compassionate releases from federal prison. The FAMM-coauthored report was covered by the AP, NPR, and others, and featured in a New York Times editorial;
- Lead the charge for clemency reform so that prisoners serving excessive sentences can get a fairer hearing on their requests for relief. Through op-eds, a National Press Club event, and letters from a broad coalition of advocates calling for congressional hearings, we brought pressure on the administration to overhaul the Office of Pardon Attorney. This effort was validated when, just yesterday, the Inspector General at the Justice Department issued a report, which concluded that the current pardon attorney had committed serious misconduct;
- Build bipartisan support for mandatory minimum reform. With the help of Democratic and Republican allies in Congress, FAMM in 2012 was able to beat back some new mandatory minimum proposals. At the same time, FAMM was able to develop a bipartisan agenda for reform that we will promote when we hit the ground running in 2013.
All of these and our other victories were made possible by your support. We need your help again if we are going to achieve even greater successes in 2013!
If you are able to help, NOW is the time. The matching program going on until the end of the month allows us to double every donation we receive. Please take a moment right now to donate by clicking here or send a check by mail to:
FAMM
1100 H St. NW
Suite 1000
Washington, D.C. 20005
Thank you in advance for your support.
My best,
Julie
Julie Stewart, FAMM president