Leslie Kaufman writes:

Campaign Against Rockefeller Drug Laws Intensifies

Five Arrested at Drop the Rock Action

Outside NY Governor Pataki's Office

On Wednesday, Oct. 23rd the "Drop the Rock" campaign
to repeal the Rockefeller Drug Laws held a demonstration
and direct action at the offices of Gov. George Pataki in
Midtown Manhattan, at which five protesters were arrested.
This was the 3rd in a series of continuing demonstrations
during the gubernatorial campaign intended to raise the profile
of this issue in the race.

Passed in 1973 by then Gov. Nelson Rockefeller, these
laws contain long mandatory minimum sentences for drug
offenders based on the amount of drugs in their
possession, ignoring their individual situation, or
actual role in the drug trade. Drug couriers caught
with as little as 4 ounces of hard drugs are sentenced
to 15 years to life in prison.

Demonstrators called for an end to the ineffective,
wasteful, and racist drug laws that have resulted in
the incarceration of tens of thousands of mostly
non-violent drug offenders. Wednesday's demonstration
focused on the racial disparities of the application
of the laws. While whites make up a majority of the
state's drug dealers and users, 94% of the people in
prison on drug charges are black or Latino.
Prejudicial discretion by police and prosecutors has
turned the drug laws into a weapon of mass
incarceration in the state's communities of color.

During Wednesday's action a small group of
demonstrators carrying signs moved in front of the
Governor's office at 3rd Ave. and 40th St. and sat
down in front of the entrance, prompting police to
move in and make arrests. According to NYU proffesor
and arrestee Steve Duncombe, "It's past time for
Pataki to take action to repeal these unjust laws and
restore control of sentencing to judges and not
politicians."

Arrestee and author L.A. Kauffman pointed out the
irony that, "Today is the day that publicist Lizzie
Grubman begins her 60 day sentence in a suburban jail
for running over 16 people, while non-violent drug
couriers are routinely sentenced to 10 years or more in
prison."

The campaign to repeal the drug laws will continue
next Wednesday, Oct. 30th with another demonstration,
school walkout, and direct action from 1-3 PM at the
offices of Gov. Pataki on 3rd Ave. and 40th St. That
days demonstration will focus on the effects of the
"war on drugs" on families, youth, and the educational
system. For more information call 212-254-5700, or
visit the Drop the Rock web page at
www.droptherock.org.