Attorney General Jeff Sessions pursues harsh sentences for people charged with nonviolent drug offenses

Attorney General Jeff Sessions called on his prosecutors to pursue harsh sentences for people charged with nonviolent drug offenses. Sessions’ memo rescinds policy instituted by former Attorney General Eric Holder, which avoided draconian mandatory minimums for many drug offenses.

This is a disastrous move that will increase the prison population, worsen racial disparities in the criminal justice system, and do nothing to reduce drug use or improve public safety. We won't let Sessions take our country back to the 1980s by escalating failed drug war policies.

Sign our petition to the Department of Justice urging them to rescind this memo immediately. It’s time to adopt smart drug policies instead of resurrecting the failed tactics of the past.

We warned you about Sessions when he was nominated for Attorney General, and throughout his confirmation hearings. We knew he’d be a nightmare for drug policy and criminal justice reform.

The memo Sessions issued today leaves no doubt that he and the Trump administration are going to escalate the drug war. We are doing everything in our power to stop them. But we need your help.

Demand the Department of Justice rescind this memo. Stand against this attempt to return to failed drug war policies that don’t work – add your name to our petition right now.

Jeff Sessions’ push for long mandatory minimums will destroy the lives of countless people, and tear apart families and communities.

Together, we must fight back against the “lock ‘em up and throw away the key” mentality that made the United States the number one incarcerator in the world.