Civil and Human Rights Coalition Supports Public Safety for Ohioans

WASHINGTON – Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement in support of Ohio ballot initiative Issue 1 “To Reduce Penalties for Crimes of Obtaining, Possessing, and Using Illegal Drugs”: 

“Thanks to more than 700,000 Ohioans who came together to get Issue 1 on the ballot this year, Ohio is on the verge of creating a fairer justice system. Issue 1 will make Ohio communities safer, shift vital resources from prisons to prevention and treatment, and reduce racial disparities and unnecessary incarceration for low level offenses. The Leadership Conference joins the many Ohio organizations, activists, law enforcement, mental health and addiction treatment providers, nurses, and faith leaders from across the political and ideological spectrum in supporting this initiative to reform the justice system and improve public safety.”

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.