Organizations

[Courtesy of The Sentencing Project] Friends: The Sentencing Project's new study, Disparity by Geography: The War on Drugs in America's Cities, is the first city-level analysis of drug arrests, examining data from 43 of the nation's largest cities between 1980-2003. The study found that since 1980, the rate of drug arrests in American cities for African Americans increased by 225%, compared to 70% among whites. Black arrest rates grew by more than 500% in 11 cities during this period and in nearly half of the cities, the odds of arrest for a drug offense among African Americans relative to whites more than doubled. Among The Sentencing Project report's key findings: - Six cities experienced more than a 500% rise in overall drug arrests between 1980 and 2003: Tucson (887%), Buffalo (809%), Kansas City (736%), Toledo (701%), Newark (663%), and Sacramento (597%). - Extreme city variations in drug arrests point to local enforcement decisions as prime contributor to racial disparity. - African American drug arrests increased 3.4 times the rate of whites despite similar rates of drug use. The report was released in conjunction with Human Rights Watch's Targeting Blacks: Drug Law Enforcement and Race in the United States, which documents that in 34 states the persistent racial disparities among drug offenders sent to prison. Both organizations urge public officials to restore fairness, racial justice and credibility to drug control efforts. They recommend public officials take a number of concrete steps, including: Eliminating mandatory minimum sentences and restoring judicial discretion to sentencing of drug offenders; Increasing public funding of substance abuse treatment and prevention outreach to make these readily available in communities of color in particular; Enhancing public health-based strategies to reduce harms associated with drug abuse and reallocating public resources accordingly. Both reports follow in the wake of the March 2008 recommendations of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The Committee urged that U.S. criminal justice policies and practices address the unwarranted racial disparities that have been documented at all levels of the system. -The Sentencing Project

[Courtesy of Prison Art Gallery] Free workshop by ex-prisoner artists and officials from Washington area jails and prisons on May 17 to train you to become a mentor to prison artists. Call 202-393-1511 to reserve your spot. Thanks to a grant we received from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, you can attend a free workshop to become a mentor to imprisoned artists. Work either as a volunteer or paid staff member in a jail or prison. Attend this free workshop on Saturday, May 17, 10 am to 4 pm. You'll learn what it takes to work in a jail or prison to foster artistic development among inmates. You'll receive this valuable training from experienced correctional officials (from both public and private jails) while also benefiting from the insights and knowledge of ex-prisoner artists who will also serve as workshop leaders. These knowledgeable people will share their experiences with you in a relaxed and fun setting at the Prison Art Gallery in downtown Washington, DC. Everything you need for a productive and nourishing day (including an authentic jail meal) will be provided free. This is a rare opportunity to make contacts and obtain valuable information. Plus, we have received word that the workshop will be covered by major media. You can be part of it all. Whether you're looking for a one afternoon per month volunteer opportunity or a full-time paid career position, you will find this workshop very worthwhile. Meet the people who make hiring decisions while finding out what it takes to be effective in the challenging setting of a jail or prison. Please call us at 202-393-1511 or email [email protected] for more information. We are also setting up a schedule of additional workshops to accommodate everyone who may be interested. Thank you.

For Immediate Release: May 7, 2008 IS IT ALLOWED OR IS IT NOT? In the past days, Trekt Uw Plant has again tried to obtain a clear answer on the question if the possession of cannabis for personal use in Belgium is allowed or not. Again, the authorities refuse to give this answer. According to a ministerial guideline issued by the Belgian minister of Justice and the 5 Head Attorneys in January 2005, the registration by the authorities of the possession of an amount of cannabis for personal use (established at max. 3 grammes and one cannabis plant) by an adult, without the presence of aggravating circumstances or public disorder, will only lead to a Simplified Police Record (VPV). There will be no actions that lead to persecution and the cannabis will not be confiscated. On Saturday May 3d, during the Worldwide Marijuana March on the Vrijdagmarkt in Antwerp, three board members of Trekt Uw Plant were arrested after they had planted a cannabis seed in a flower pot. After six hours in a police cell, they were informed that they would be accused of "growing drugs in the possible presence of minors". There were some children on the Vrijdagmarkt indeed, yet at the moment the seed plant action took place, no minors were present. Besides, the cannabis seed itself is not a drug. A seed itself does not contain THC (active element of cannabis) nor is it sure that there will grow a THC containing plant out of it. On Monday 5 May the president of Trekt Uw Plant, Philippe De Craene, planted again a cannabis seed in an empty ruin on the "Konijnenwei" in Antwerp, where there is no possibility to create public disorder and without the presence of minors. Again he was arrested, and released after two hours. The accusation will probably be “privatisation of the public space”. Before the action we had involved the ruin in white clothes, so that no minor could see what was going on inside. Apparently this act can be described as privatisation, which is forbidden by law. Interesting detail is that one of the persons who attended the event was later searched by the police and appeared to have one gram of cannabis on him. When he refused to refrain from this, he was allowed to keep it. On the same place, possibly by the same police officer, the ministerial guideline was applied in one case, and in another not. The actions of Trekt Uw Plant have shown that there is an enormous lack of legal security and judicial arbitrarity concerning cannabis in Belgium. That is something which many young people, especially from non-Western origin, are confronted with every day. But in principle this legal insecurity affects all cannabis consuming Belgians (between 300.000 and 500.000 people) and millions of Europeans.... Trekt Uw Plant does not let itself be scared by police operations that are steered from up above. Next year on the first saturday in May we will again organise a Marijuana March in Antwerp. Thanks to the support of many sympathisers the event of last saturday was, also without us, a big success. That the intervention of the police created an atmosphere in which cannabis was publically used, also in the presence of minors, is not our fault. We had done everything to avoid this. Trekt Uw Plant maintains its objective. The association facilitates assistance to its members in growing their personal cannabisplant. The Antwerp judge declared on April 25, 2007 that the right to associate is guaranteed by the Constitution, and that the existence of the association is legal. People can associate themselves anonymously, although we should be able to establish that they fulfill the rules. Members of Trekt Uw Plant have to be adult, live in Belgium, aware of the risks of cannabis use and must adress themselves voluntarily. Everybody who fulfills these conditions is welcome. After the events of 3 and 5 May we look forward with great confidence to the coming courtcase in appeal on June 12 in Antwerp. We have appealed against the fine of 15 euro that some of our members have been condemned to (the sanction of the other members has been suspended) for establishing a collective plantation on December 12, 2006. Our case has only become stronger. Also the judges of the Court of Appeal must have noticed that the non-application of the ministerial guideline concerning the possession of cannabis for personal use is violating the principle of legality. This principle states that if the individual citizen cannot consult a clear piece of legislation which describes his act as illegal, this act cannot be punished. The final purpose of Trekt Uw Plant is to anchor the principle of the ministerial guieline, which is the respect for the cultivation of cannabis for personal use, in the Belgian legislation. This will create a legal alternative for 500.000 Belgians who regularly consume cannabis and who are now forced to smuggle the product into the Netherlands or to provide themselves at the illegal market. This illegal market does not apply public health norms or age limits. Trekt Uw Plant wants to be a signal. A signal of respect for Mother Nature. Of resistance against them who use fear as a political weapon in order to safeguard economic and other interests. Of hope on a world in which democratic decisions are being respected by legal authorities. Finally one thing: we need to conclude that indeed, the use of cannabis can truely lead to serious psychotic reactions, squizofrenia and loss of memory. But not in the user. On behalf of Trekt Uw Plant, Philippe De Craene, Kris Verdonck and Joep Oomen Lange Lozanastraat 14 2018 Antwerp Belgium [email protected] Tel. +32 3 293 0886 / +32 495 122 644 (Joep) / +32 494 807 350 (Philippe) / +32 486 - 357595 (Kris)

TREKT UW PLANT TESTS THE LAW FOR THE THIRD TIME PRESS RELEASE OF TREKT UW PLANT Is an adult Belgian allowed to grow one cannabis plant, yes or no? Three times is ship right. On Monday 5 May 2008, Trekt Uw Plant will for the third time test a ministerial guideline on cannabis in Belgium. At 15.30 uur the president of the association Trekt Uw Plant, Philippe De Craene, will again plant a cannabis seed, from which his personal plant will grow. According to the guideline, the possession of this personal plant is not persecuted. This plant will grow on a place where no public disorder is being caused and which is not accessible to minors. The lord mayor of Antwerp, Patrick Janssens, will be informed of the address of this place. The planting of the seed will happen during a press conference that will take place in the Paviljoen, at the Konijnewei, a 100 meters of the Palace of Justice in Antwerp. This place is publically accessible, but the conference will be organised in such a way that minors will not be present. On Saturday 3 May 2008, the Antwerp police intervened brutally in the Worldwide Marijuana March, that took place in 240 cities in the world. Only in Rio de Janeiro and Antwerp the authorities intervened in this March. You can read a report on these events (in Dutch) at Indymedia http://indymedia.be/nl/node/27343. Trekt Uw Plant organised the event to give the startsign for the new growing season. The members of the of the association received their start package, consisting of three cannabis seeds, a flower pot and a manual on how to grow cannabis. With this package, in principle one plant can be grown. In the presence of the press, the three board members of the association planted a cannabis seed for their own personal plant. The purpose of the plant seeding action was to test the Belgian ministerial guideline, according to which the possession by an adult of max. 3 grammes and 1 cannabisplant, without the presence of any aggravating circumstances will not be persecuted. Legal insecurity and legal disequality are the greatest danger for a state of law. Every citizen has the right to know clear- and concretely what is allowed and what not. If this is not clear, the citizen can not be punished. The question is: is there a tolerant policy on cannabis in Belgium or not? Is an adult Belgian allowed to grow one cannabisplant, yes or no? If not, then 8 years of parliamentary working groups, scientific research, circulars and governmental policy papers (elaborated with tax money) have had no value. The ministerial guideline of 2005, which has been the result of this process, can then be definitively put in the garbage. We have not yet received an answer on this question. On Saturday 3 May, the police arrested the three board members who had planted their seed and accused them of growing cannabis with as aggravating circumstance the possible presence of minors and the causing of public disorder. By presenting this “aggravating circumstance” and “public disorder” argument the ministerial guideline was not applied. There has been made an official record, the planted seed and a small quantity of cannabis (less than 3 grammes), the personal possession of some members, were confiscated, as well as information material such as books, flyers and T-shirts. During the action no minors were present. The organisers consumed no cannabis themselves in public and had done everything to ask the public to refrain from doing this as well. Until the police intervened the event was peaceful and quiet, after the police had arrested the organisers the Vrijdagmarkt became an open air cannabis consumption room. The action of the police led also to various people throwing their cannabis away in panic, so this became very easily accessible to minors. On 5 May, actually the Belgian state of law is tested. After years of parliamentary debate the agreement has been made to respect the principle of cultivation of cannabis for personal use. Any disturbance of the seed planting, by the legal authorities or by others, in fact violates this principle. This can only benefit those who have no interest at all in this principle: the criminal organisations. On behalf of Trekt Uw Plant, Kris Verdonck, Philippe De Craene and Joep Oomen Lange Lozanastraat 14 2018 Antwerpen [email protected] Tel. +32 3 293 0886 / +32 495 122 644 (Joep) / +32 494 807 350 (Philippe) / +32 486 - 357595 (Kris)

[Courtesy of HempRock Productions] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MAY 2, 2008 CINCINNATI POLICE'S REGIONAL ENFORCEMENT NARCOTICS UNIT, (RENU) WARNS VENUE RENTING TO MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION EVENT! Organizers make it a Marijuana Smoke-Free Event! On Monday, RENU, called Riverfront West Sports Park, on the edge of Miamitown, to warn them that Saturday night, May 3rd, undercover cops and alcohol agents would be there for the HempRock Hempfest and if anyone is caught smoking marijuana, the State would revoke the ball field*s beer license. Alcohol license rules state that the license can be fined or revoked if illegal drug activity is found on the premises. HempRock's Hempfests, which are fundraisers that help finance the Global Marijuana Marches, have been held at Riverfront since 1995. They both question why now, after all these years, law enforcement is focusing on this event when there is so much crime out there to focus on. These types of actions are taking place around the Country to discourage venue owners from renting to groups for events that advocate legalizing cannabis. It*s an around about way of abridging freedom of speech and has been known to scare some property owners into canceling such events. That*s not happening in this case. The Hempfest is still scheduled and HempRock is asking that everyone come out and support the idea of ending the War on Marijuana and the people who choose to use it in spite of the situation. The event will be free of marijuana smoking to insure that the venue's beer license stays intact. Cincinnati Attorney Tim Smith will be on hand at the event to monitor the situation and to make sure no ones rights are violated. That night and at the Sunday event on Fountain Square, he will also be speaking about recent court rulings and the Cincinnati Marijuana Ordinance. For more information, please contact: Tim Smith, Attorney, 513-293-8666 or Lynne Wilson, Dir, HempRock Prods. 513-476-9283 Thanx & have A Hempy Day, Lynne Wilson, Dir. The Happy Hemptress HempRock Productions 513-68-4-HEMP vm 513-684-1086 fax www.hemprock.com

[Courtesy of Prison Art Gallery] Our wholesale fundraising catalog has arrived! Use it to advance your social issues and make a 300% plus profit for your organization or business. Choose from prison art prints, postcards, justice jewelry, prison music CDs, books, and more. All items are fully refundable, so there's no risk whatsoever! Thanks to the generosity of our grantmakers, printers and manufacturers, we are able to offer our most popular prison art-related gift items at wholesale prices (up to 75% off) for fundraising resale by non-profit organizations and socially-minded entrepreneurs. Please call 202-393-1511 or email [email protected] for further information. Pick and choose what you want for your fundraising and revenue enhancing needs. To access our new full-color catalog, please visit http://prisonsfoundation.org/afj/mayafj.pdf. Wholesale prices below (of items in our catalog): 1. Prison Art Prints matted at $8 each (retail $20 each) 2. Prison Art Prints framed at $16 each (retail $40 each) 3. Prison Art Postcards at 50 cents each (retail $1.50 each) 4. Sterling Silver Justice Jewelry at $ 10 each (retail $30 each) 5. Prison Music CDs at $4 each (retail $13 each) 6. Handcuff Key Ring Greeting Cards at $1.25 each (retail $4 each) 7. Prison Poetry Books at $4 each (retail $12 each) 8. Jailer Whistle Key Ring at $1 each (retail $3 each) 9. Mug-Shots-of-the-Famous Playing Cards at $2 each (retail $5 each) Become one our authorized outlets and get all the great items in our catalog and more at discounts of up to 75% off. That means a profit for you of 300%. Plus you'll generate the excitement of having reasonably priced prison art gifts at your location. Whether you're planning a one time fundraiser or an ongoing enterprise, you need look no further for fun and high profitability than these unique gift items. We even include free signs and free consultation to unlock very high the earning potential. Ideal for churches, schools, and nonprofit organizations and businesses of all types. For further information, please call 202-393-1511 or email Dennis@ PrisonsFoundation.org.

[Courtesy of INPUD] Dear fellow activists, This is a call to register for all DU Activists who want to attend the 3rd INPUD Congress. The 3rd annual INPUD Congress takes place in Barcelona on Sunday May 11, 2008. You don't need to be registered for the IHRA Conference to be able to attend the INPUD Congress. Registration for the INPUD Congress is free of charge. The registration is needed to be able to estimate the needed translation equipment and to order some food and drinks. If you plan to attend the congress, please send an email to [email protected] Your name: Country: Are you registered for the IHRA conference? O Yes O No Are you presenting in one of the sessions during the IHRA conference? If yes, please provide the name and time/date of the session Session title: Time and date of the session: Please copy and paste the above and email to [email protected] Hope to see you all in Barcelona! Stijn Goossens Executive Director International Network Of People Who Use Drugs INPUD vzw GuldensporenStraat 88/2 2140 Borgerhout Belgium Phone: +32 3 297 8451 Mobile: +32 479 982 271 -- DrugUsersNeverQuit www.Inpud.org www.HarmReduction.be (DrugWarLog) www.HarmReduction.eu (ArtCoreFromTheHardCore) www.HaRdCOREhARMREdUCER.be

Pennsylvania: Voter Education Still Necessary on 8-year-old Reform A re-entry group focused on voter education held a class this week to teach 40 formerly incarcerated individuals about their voting rights, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported. Malissa Gamble, founder of A Time for Change, clarified the Commonwealth's felon voting laws. Formerly, Pennsylvania law stipulated that some individuals with felony records had to wait five years after their release before regaining the right to vote. In 2000, civil rights groups challenged the law and the restriction was ended. Organizers believe that many ex-offenders in the Commonwealth don't know they are able to vote. North Carolina: "Proud to Vote" In its election coverage, the Fayetteville Observer interviewed a formerly incarcerated 25-year-old who voted for the first time. Wearing a "Proud to Vote" sticker at the polls, Tyrone Jenkins said of the experience: "It empowers you a lot. You feel like you got a little say in what's going on." Virginia: Legislators, Community Gather to Discuss Right to Vote A panel of Virginian legislators, clergy and formerly incarcerated individuals addressed disenfranchisement this week. "The governor is committed to restoring these rights" and already has done so for 1,340 people so far," said Rev. Adam J. Richardson, bishop of the Second Episcopal District. Nearly 380,000 are disenfranchised in Virginia. The Commonwealth has among the harshest laws nationwide, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported, and those with felony offenses automatically lose the right to vote. To apply for restoration of rights, those with non-violent offenses must satisfy all court obligations and wait three years before asking the governor for restoration. Others must wait five years to apply. National: Disenfranchisement Reform in Need of More Advocacy Georgetown University freshman Julia Lovett expressed support for felon voting rights in the student publication, The Hoya. Advocacy is needed in an effort to reform voting rights laws and educate individuals about the many under-publicized and confusing laws that do, in fact, grant voting rights in some states. "Without an outlet for civic participation, felons are cast to the fringes of society," Lovett writes. "Democratic rights are a necessary bridge of reintroduction to and rehabilitation within society, fostering a sense of inclusion and responsibility for an individual's community. These ties help counter alienation that encourages crime or repeat offenses." - - - - - - Help The Sentencing Project continue to bring you news and updates on disenfranchisement! Make a contribution today. Contact Information -- e-mail: [email protected], web: http://www.sentencingproject.org