Statement On POTUS CJ Reform & Clemency

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Jul 15, 2015

“National Action Network and I applaud President Obama for dealing with the inequities in our criminal justice system by boldly dealing with unequal sentencing disparities and granting clemency for 46 women and men who faced years, decades, even life in prison for non-violent, drug offenses.
In February, I met with the President at the White House along with other civil rights and faith leaders and the President reaffirmed his commitment to continue to reform the criminal justice system and expand the number of people eligible for federal clemency applications. He took a step in that direction Monday by commuting the sentences where in his own words the “punishment didn’t fit the crime.”

There is still much to be done but this is a stride in the right direction and the fulfillment of a commitment the President made when he was elected.

National Action Network will continue to push the Administration and the Justice Department to vigorously continue reforms in all aspects of the criminal justice system and we will convene a rally in New York Saturday with families to continue to push the Justice Department to act swiftly in other realms, including the Eric Garner case which saw it’s one year-anniversary this week.”

Rev. Al Sharpton, President and Founder of National Action Network