John,

Dream.Org is excited to announce that a bipartisan group of congressional leaders has reintroduced the Eliminating a Quantifiably Unjust Application of the Law (EQUAL Act) to end the powder-crack cocaine sentencing disparity, which has led to unjust prison sentences, family separation, and disproportionately impacted communities of color. The reintroduction of the EQUAL Act is big news!

What You Need to Know:

• The legislation would bring 8,000 people home from prison sooner — reuniting tens of thousands of people with their loved ones. Last year, the EQUAL Act passed out of the House with 361-66 votes, with 143 Republicans voting in favor, and secured sponsorship support of 11 Republican Senators, but it eventually failed.
• This is a rare second chance to pass this important bill

Why It Matters:

• Despite Congress' usual inability to agree, both parties have united to end the unjust powder and crack sentencing disparity.
• Although the drugs are chemically identical, powder and crack cocaine were treated much differently, possession of powder cocaine — a drug considered to be a luxury among the wealthy — was hardly punished, while possession of crack cocaine — considered a “black drug” — received severe sentences. 
• In fact, it took 100 grams of powder cocaine to receive the same sentence as 1 gram of crack cocaine.
• The powder-crack cocaine sentencing disparity has unjustly affected communities of color, tearing families apart with disproportionate drug sentences.
• The EQUAL Act aims to right the wrongs of the misguided, racist, and failed war on drugs and restore communities that have been decimated.
• The overwhelming bipartisan support of the legislation is a testament to the growing consensus that our criminal justice system must be fair and just.

What Is Next:

• Dream.Org has been working tirelessly to support the EQUAL Act, bringing directly impacted leaders from around the country to meet with their members of Congress.
• We are deeply grateful to Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Ranking Member Lindsey Graham (R-SC), as well as Cory Booker (D-NJ) for their strong leadership on the EQUAL Act as well as the additional cosponsors of the bill which include Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Rand Paul (R-KY), Chris Coons (D-DE), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and more.
• We urge you to uplift our posts on Twitter or Instagram to support this exciting news.
• We will continue to update you with additional steps to add your support for the EQUAL Act.

Dream.Org is thrilled about the reintroduction of the bipartisan EQUAL Act and the opportunity to reform these outdated and unjust sentencing laws. The legislation has overwhelming bipartisan support and can pass Congress this year with your continued support. 

This is huge, and we cannot let this opportunity pass us by. Your voice is crucial in the fight to eliminate the sentencing disparity between powder and crack cocaine and create a criminal justice system that is fair and just for all.

In Solidarity,
-Dream.Org