On Wednesday, April 18, the Drug Policy Alliance and members of Real Reform New York held a press conference and film screening to support reform of the draconian Rockefeller Drug Laws (RDLs) in New York. The New York State Assembly went on to pass legislation which would further reform these laws, widely considered the nation’s harshest.

Assembly Bill 6663, introduced by Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry (Chair, Assembly Standing Committee on Correction), would expand drug treatment for people convicted of nonviolent drug offenses, and continue sentencing reform by allowing certain people serving time for “B” felonies to apply for resentencing--a key piece missing in changes to the law made in 2004 and 2005. The bill would also increase judicial discretion and allow for some people convicted of first- and second-time drug offenses to receive treatment and probation instead of prison.

Advocates and family members affected by these draconian laws joined legislators at a packed press conference to support A.6663. Cheri O'Donoghue, whose son Ashley is in prison under the RDLs, and Teresa Avilez, whose son died in prison while serving a mandatory minimum sentence for a nonviolent drug charge, both gave moving accounts.

Senator Eric Adams, a former New York City police captain, also spoke of the need for reform. He was joined by David Soares, the district attorney for Albany, who said that the restoration of judicial discretion in sentencing actually enhances and restores the due process of law.

The lawmakers sponsoring the reform legislation, Assemblyman Jeffrion L. Aubry and Senator Eric Schneiderman, both spoke at the press conference as well. Sen. Schneiderman singled out the Senate majority leader for failing to take action to bring about reform.

The Senate, which is the next stop for A.6663, has historically been the sticking place for reform legislation.

The press conference was followed by a screening of Lockdown, USA, a new documentary which follows the unlikely coalition working to change the Rockefeller Drug Laws: outraged mothers and community members, formerly incarcerated people, hip-hop community leaders, and many more. The screening was sponsored by Assemblyman Jeffrion L. Aubry, NY State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus, Senator Eric Schneiderman, Senator Jose Serrano, and DPA.

As A.6663 moves to the Senate, these and other advocates will be hard at work advocating for change.