Enough with the Weed Arrests, Say City Council Members
Thursday, August 25th, 2011
City Council member Jumanne Williams, along with several other members and Assembly member Hakeem Jeffries, gathered outside City Hall recently to to support legislation that would end the stop and frisk policy, which they say is just a costly marijuana arrest crusade.
“Stop and frisk is a racist practice, plain and simple, and it is an abuse of power,” said Council Member Williams. “Mayor Bloomberg declared his support for young black and Latino men to the tune of $30 million, but how supportive is he when he spends $75 million to arrest them under this policy? Arresting these youth for what amounts to low-level marijuana violations makes no sense, either financially or morally. If the Mayor wants to treat these young men like second-class citizens, at least let them know. That way, they can act accordingly.”
Currently, a person caught displaying 25 grams or less of marijuana in public can be arrested on a misdemeanor. If you’re caught with that amount in private, you get a $100 fine. The new bill would get rid of the public/private distinction, and you’d simply get a $100 fine if you’re caught with 25 grams or less.
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http://congames.net/2011/09/06/nypd-wont-make-friends-arresting-its-critics/ NYPD Won't Make Friends Arresting Its Critics | Con Games
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http://theflatbushblog.com/?p=1195 Council Member Williams Wants Change, Not Beer | theflatbushblog.com
