Thursday Press Teleconference: Broad Spectrum of Organizations React to Confirmation Hearings for Senator Jeff Sessions as Attorney General

Listen to the teleconference.

Representatives from a broad spectrum of organizations will offer their reactions to Senator Sessions’ responses during his confirmation hearings this week to questions on criminal justice reform, marijuana reform, civil and human rights and other issues. The spectrum of organizations represented on this call share strong concerns that Jeff Sessions threatens to expand mass criminalization and drug war policies that will put communities at risk and intensify the marginalization and stigmatization of Muslims, immigrants and others.

During his time in the U.S. Senate, Jeff Sessions has been the chief opponent of recent bipartisan efforts to reduce sentences for drug offenses and has a long track record of opposition to marijuana reform – even for medical use. Sessions has also pushed for the expanded use of the criminal justice system to disproportionately target minority groups and deport noncitizens.

Speakers on this call will discuss how Senator Sessions’ responses to questions put to him on sentencing and criminal justice reform, drug policy reform and civil rights indicate that his positions on these issues have not fundamentally changed.

As Attorney General, Sessions could accelerate federal prosecutions for drug law violations that carry draconian mandatory sentences.  He could also try to undermine state marijuana laws, positions that would put him at odds with bipartisan majorities in Congress that want to reform sentencing laws and let states set their own drug policies without federal interference. Sessions also could expand the use of surveillance and policing against immigrant and marginalized communities.

The Drug Policy Alliance is fighting to put the brakes on Sessions’ AG nomination and will hold a national teleconference tomorrow Thursday, January 12 at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT

What:  Teleconference: Broad Spectrum of Organizations React to Confirmation Hearings for Senator Jeff Sessions as Attorney General

When:  Thursday, January 12, 2 p.m. ET

How:    Contact Tony Newman for call-in information: 646-335-5384, [email protected]

Who:

• Natasha Lycia Ora Bannon, Associate Counsel, LatinoJustice PRLDEF
• Jonathan Blanks, Managing Editor, PoliceMisconduct.net, Project on Criminal Justice, Cato Institute
• Pastor Kenneth Glasgow, Founder and National President, The Ordinary People Society
• Nicole Austin-Hillery, Director and Counsel, Washington, D.C. office, Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law
• Robert McCaw, Director of Government Affairs Department, Council on American Islamic Relations
• Alison Parker, Director, US Program, Human Rights Watch
• Bill Piper, Senior Director, Office of National Affairs, Drug Policy Alliance (Moderator)
• Bernard Simelton Sr., President of Alabama State Conference of the NAACP