Vision for Justice Campaign Demands an End to the War on Drugs – Civilrights.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Rafael Medina, [emailprotected], 202.869.0390

WASHINGTON On the 50th anniversary of the War on Drugs, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and The Leadership Conference Education Funds Vision for Justice campaign launched a series of actions calling for an end to the War on Drugs. The campaign released video vignettes on its Instagram account with powerful personal stories from people who have been affected by the War on Drugs. The campaign also includes LED truck ads demanding an end to the War on Drugs. The truck will drive around Washington, D.C., and park in front of the U.S. Capitol from June 17 to June 18. On June 21, the campaign will also display four different posters in over 30 locations around the city.

The Leadership Conference and its sister organization, The Education Fund, will also hold a four episode arch on their Pod for the Cause, with the first one focused on the War on Drugs.

The criminalization of drug use and users has led to tragic consequences and fueled mass incarceration, with a disproportionate impact on communities of color. We must transform the entire criminal-legal system to eradicate the negative impacts that have emerged from the so-called War on Drugs, said Wade Henderson, interim president and CEO of The Leadership Conference and The Education Fund.

The failed policies of the War on Drugs have shaped a criminal-legal system in which Black Americans are six times more likely to be incarcerated for drug-related offenses than their White counterparts despite equal rates of drug use. The ads underscore why our nation cannot afford another 50 years of biased policies that have led to Black and Brown communities accounting for 70 percent of all people convicted of drug charges. The ads use QR codes to drive viewers to take action, join the campaign, and put an end to the War on Drugs.

The Vision for Justice campaign aims to reimagine a new paradigm for safety and justice in America.

The ads will read as follows:

WE CANT AFFORDANOTHER 50 YEARSOF RACIST POLICIESDEMAND AN ENDTO THE WAR ON DRUGSEND THE WAR ON DRUGS

The ads can be found here.

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The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 220 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit http://www.civilrights.org.

The Leadership Conference Education Fund builds public will for federal and state policies that promote and protect the civil and human rights of all persons in the United States. The Education Funds campaigns empower and mobilize advocates around the country to push for progressive change in the United States. It was founded in 1969 as the education and research arm of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. For more information on The Education Fund, visit civilrights.org/edfund/.

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Vision for Justice Campaign Demands an End to the War on Drugs - Civilrights.org