Ellen Perrault
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!On Monday, December 22, President Joe Biden announced that he plans to commute the sentences of 37 of the 40 people on federal death row. He will accomplish this by converting their death sentence punishments to life imprison.
His actions were quickly followed on Tuesday, by a statement from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) applauding the Biden-Harris administration’s recent actions in commuting the sentences of nearly 1,500 individuals and pardoning 39 others. The NAACP expressed pride in seeing the administration take historic steps in sparing lives and setting an important precedent amidst rising extremist and anti-humanitarian rhetoric and policy. However, the organization emphasized that the fight is far from over.
“For over fifty years, the NAACP has fought for the abolishment of the death penalty. We know that Black Americans are disproportionately targeted and often wrongfully convicted to inhumane execution by the very government tasked with upholding their life and liberty,” said the NAACP.
The statement also highlighted the continuing need for reform. According to NAACP officials, over 7,000 Americans, primarily impacted by the racist policies of the ‘War on Drugs,’ remain incarcerated, and their sentences could be commuted as well. The NAACP urged the Biden administration to continue using its power to right the wrongs of the past, and to publicize a playbook for a brighter future.
“The NAACP has long advocated for the commutation of sentences for thousands of individuals serving outdated sentences, many of whom would face shorter terms under today’s laws and policies,” the statement continued. “These cases, many of which have already been thoroughly vetted and received positive recommendations by the Office of the Pardon Attorney, include those sentenced under the now-discredited crack and powder cocaine sentencing disparity, as well as those who were not afforded retroactive relief through the First Step Act.”
The NAACP pointed out that these actions are crucial to addressing the systemic racism perpetuated throughout the ‘War on Drugs,’ which led to disproportionate convictions and sentencing, particularly for Black Americans, over the last 30 years.
While applauding the recent clemency actions, the NAACP stressed that there is still a dire need for relief for those impacted by the failed drug war, especially individuals who did not receive adequate consideration under previous legislative measures such as the First Step Act.
“We hope that the Biden administration continues on the pathway to progress,” concluded the NAACP statement, “and uses its position to rectify these injustices and ensure that history does not repeat itself.”
Earlier this month in what has been heralded as the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history, Biden commuted the sentences of about 1,500 people who were released from prison and placed on home confinement during the peak of the Coronavirus pandemic . At the same time, he announced plans to pardon 39 individuals convicted of non violent crimes. For more information on NAACP’s Criminal Justice Reform work, visit our website.