AlertS
--
Federal
and
State:
Colombia,
Meth
Bill#Free
Speech,
Mandatory
Minimums,
California,
New
York,
Washington
7/21/00
COLOMBIA: In the wake of the late reported El Salado massacre (see story above), Senator Paul Wellstone (D-MN) is circulating a letter to be sent to President Clinton asking that Colombia be decertified for US military assistance -- i.e. the recently passed "Plan Colombia" -- based on continued human rights abuses. Please call your Senators -- use the Congressional Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to be transferred to their offices -- or visit http://www.drcnet.org/stopthehelicopters/ to tell your Senators that Plan Colombia was a terrible mistake and it's time to call it off before it's too late. METH BILL/FREE SPEECH: The Judiciary Committee's vote on H.R. 2987 was delayed yet again, but is now expected to take place this coming Tuesday, 7/25. Sources report that the anti-free-speech provisions are still present, narrowed only incrementally so that linking to a web site that sells drug paraphernalia would not be covered. Also, a provision that would have allowed law enforcement officers to conduct secret searches -- entering homes without notice before or after -- has been stripped from the bill. But there is more bad news -- Rep. Bill McCollum (R-FL) has submitted substitute language that includes draconian new mandatory minimum penalties for "club drugs" such as Ecstasy. Also, there is a concern that language in a Senate version of the bill allowing law enforcement to order Internet service providers to take down web pages or sites without prior judicial review, on 48 hours notice, could get incorporated into the House version. Please visit http://www.drcnet.org/freespeech/ or call your Representative at (202) 224-3121 to oppose this dangerous legislation! MANDATORY MINIMUMS: See articles 1 and 2 of last week's issue (http://www.drcnet.org/wol/145.html) for information on the Jubilee Justice 2000 campaign to free drug war prisoners and how you can help. Visit http://www.drcnet.org/justice/ to tell Congress you think the mandatory minimums should go! CALIFORNIA: Oppose "Smoke a Joint, Lose Your License" bill -- visit http://www.drcnet.org/states/california/ to write your state legislators. NEW YORK: Repeal the Rockefeller Drug Laws! Visit http://www.drcnet.org/states/newyork/ to send a message to your legislators in Albany. WASHINGTON STATE: Help the "Reasonable People" campaign get their drug policy reform initiative on the ballot -- visit http://www.reasonablepeople.org and involved!
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