Tonight the U.S. House will vote on crucial amendments that would help stop the expansion of civil forfeiture that was recently announced by Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
This corrupt practice – also known as “policing for profit” – allows police to seize and keep cash, property, and other assets from people who are merely suspected of being involved in a drug law violation.
It’s time to fight back. Tell your Representatives to vote in favor of the amendments that would stop Sessions from expanding drug war forfeiture.
Earlier this year, Sessions announced a new policy directing law enforcement agencies to increase the use of civil forfeiture. This unfair practice is a shameful relic of drug war hysteria and has been used to take billions of dollars from people who were not convicted of a crime.
And like other drug war programs, it’s disproportionately used against people of color and those who cannot afford to hire lawyers to get their property back.
Now we need your help to convince the House to stop Sessions from giving law enforcement agencies even more power to take innocent people’s property and run.
Send an email to your Representatives right now. And follow-up with phone calls to your Representatives. Call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to be connected with their offices. You can say:
As a constituent, I’m calling to urge my Representative to vote in favor of civil forfeiture amendments to H.R. 3354 that is being voted on today. Please vote yes on amendments Walberg/Cohen #46, Raskin/Sensenbrenner #67, and Amash/Sanford #70. These amendments would help stop the expansion of civil forfeiture and ensure that innocent property owners are protected. Please vote in favor of these amendments because civil forfeiture is an unfair practice that should not be expanded. Thank you.
- Grant Smith, Drug Policy Alliance
If you have time also contact Rep. McSally by phone, fax or e-mail.
Tucson Office:
Phone: (520) 881-3588
Fax: (520) 322-9490
Washington office:
Phone: (202) 225-2542
Fax: (202) 225-0378
Just called the Washington office and read the statement. It's a mouth full but you can just give him the amendment numbers.
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