Thirty Years of Rockefeller Drug Laws
Share and save this post:
AlterNet Social Networks:
Belief:
Is Blind Faith in God and the Bible a Modern Invention?
Devilstower
Corporate Accountability and WorkPlace:
Who's Paying for the Recession Most of All? Young Workers
Lizzy Ratner
DrugReporter:
Lies About Marijuana Drive People to a Much More Harmful Drug -- Booze
Steve Fox
Environment:
Why Max Baucus' 'No' Vote on the Climate Bill May Really Help Its Passage
Jeff Mcmahon
Food:
Soda Helps Make Americans Unhealthy and Fat -- Will Soda Tax Prevail Despite Pushback by Beverage Industry?
Christine Spolar, Joseph Eaton
Health and Wellness:
Do We Really Want to Enshrine Insurance Monopoly into Law? This and 5 Other Complaints About the Health Bill
John Nichols
Immigration:
NYC Marathon Raises Question of Who Is American Enough?
James E. Johnson, Jr.
Media and Technology:
How Biased Media Can Brainwash You
Melinda Burns
Movie Mix:
The Yes Men: Pranksters Out to Fix the World
Mark Engler
Politics:
4 Ways the Stupak Amendment Deprives Women of Access to Abortion
Jessica Arons
Reproductive Justice and Gender:
How the Stupak Amendment Radically Undermines Abortion Rights
Rachel Morris
Rights and Liberties:
"My Kids Want to Hide Their Identity; They're Scared Someone Will Attack Us": U.S. Muslims Being Targeted
Jaisal Noor
Sex and Relationships:
9 Silly Things People Say When They Hear You Don't Want Kids (And Ways to Counter Them)
Liz Langley
Take Action:
G-20 Meetings: Nothing Much Happened in the Suites, and There Was Too Much Punch in the Streets
Laura Flanders
Water:
Why Natural Gas Is Not a Clean Energy Panacea
Stan Cox
World:
10 Suicides a Month at Ft. Hood -- War Stress Is Taking Soldiers to the Brink
Dahr Jamail
On May 8, 2003 New York's Rockefeller Drug Laws turn 30. For mere human beings, reaching the age of thirty is a magical turning point that catapults some of us into the seriousness of adulthood from our days of youthful indiscretion. But, for this draconian entity there was no magical transition. Enacted in 1973, the laws are as serious and tough as when they were born, with no substantive reform of them in sight for the near future.
Of course, if you listen to the political rhetoric that has been around for the past couple of years you would bet your last dollar that change is coming. However, for those of us who have heard this story before, the 30th year holds nothing more than empty promises and broken dreams for those affected by the Rockefeller Drug Laws.
In 2001, for the first time in 28 years a governor of New York was bold enough to call for reform. Pataki's cue was followed by the Senate and Assembly which agreed that these laws should be changed. Bills were submitted, arguments were made with each side blaming each other for the quagmire. In the mean time, those imprisoned are rotting away in the gulags of New York State. No better off are the family members of those incarcerated, whose hopes and aspirations are slowly dying.
On May 8 at 12 noon across the street from Governor Pataki's New York City office at 40th and 3rd avenue, a celebration of sorts will take place for the "30" anniversary of the Rockefeller Drug Laws. It will not be a happy gathering, but hopefully it will be the last. It's organized by the New York Mothers of the Disappeared in its continuing attempt to change these laws.
Also at the rally a major announcement will be made by Andrew Cuomo, Russell Simmons and the Hip Hop Nation telling the governor that "Countdown to Fairness" is being initiated for repeal of the Rockefellers Drug Laws.
Many speakers, politicians and protesters will pledge their alliance for reform, trying to see beyond the political rhetoric that divides them; they hope to walk on common ground and change the laws that have slept though the shadow of change for the last 30 years.
Anthony Papa served 12 years under the Rockefeller Drug Laws and was granted clemency by Governor Pataki in 1997. He is the author of "15 to Life".
Liked this story? Get top stories in your inbox each week from AlterNet! Sign up now »
| More News and Analysis: | ||
|
9 Silly Things People Say When They Hear You Don't Want Kids (And Ways to Counter Them) Sex and Relationships: Wanting kids isn't just the social norm, it's said to be a biological imperative, the only supposed "duh" of evolution. But yet, some of us choose not to -- and for good reason. By Liz Langley, AlterNet. November 10, 2009. |
How the Stupak Amendment Radically Undermines Abortion Rights Reproductive Justice and Gender: Bart Stupak's last-minute amendment to the health care bill is even more dangerous than you think. By Rachel Morris, Mother Jones Online. November 10, 2009. |
Who's Paying for the Recession Most of All? Young Workers Corporate Accountability and WorkPlace: Young people have lost 2.5 million jobs to the crisis, making them the hardest-hit age group. By Lizzy Ratner, The Nation. November 10, 2009. |
Support AlterNet
Do you value the information you're getting from AlterNet? Please show your support with a tax-deductible donation.
Feedback
Tell us how we're doing.
EMAIL
PRINT
