Thread by @JusticeFwdVa

ANOTHER #EndMandatoryMinimums tweet thread?! You’re DARN right it is?! We’ll stop when #VAGeneralAssembly ends them ALL—but in the meantime, nestle in (especially you @VAHouseDems) while we take you on a journey around the broad support the Repeal of Mand Mins has garnered. 1/13

Back in 2019, @GovernorVA said he was NOT going to sign anymore into law, adding, “imposing mandatory minimum sentences eliminates the discretion of judges and juries, and ties the hands of the individuals entrusted to make these important decisions.” washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/… 2/13

The notorious Virginia Crime Commission—many of you out of state advocates have asked where you can get one (lol)—officially recommended in January of 2021, that VA Repeal ALL of Virginia’s Mandatory Minimum Sentences. ALL of them. ALL. vscc.virginia.gov/2021/VSCC%20Ma… 3/13

As in years past, @VaBlackCaucus continues to stand in support of criminal justice and policing reform. This includes championing legislation “Removing ALL Mandatory Minimum sentences from Virginia State Code.” 4/13

https://twitter.com/vablackcaucus/status/1349719736263843845

Unlikely allies—a Public Defender and Prosecutor from Virginia—found that THEY BOTH supported the Repeal of Mandatory Minimum sentences! 5/13 vadogwood.com/2020/12/10/doe…

And shortly thereafter, the Virginia Progressive Prosecutors for Justice, a coalition of a dozen or more prosecutors repping 40% or more of Virginia’s residents, sent a letter to the Virginia General Assembly asking them to—you’ll never guess—End Mandatory Minimum Sentences. 6/13

https://twitter.com/attystepmorales/status/1346121691785781248

Droves of families impacted by harsh unjust Mandatory Minimums support their full repeal. And have bravely shared stories about the impact these unfair sentences have had on their loved ones inside AND outside the prison walls—as part of @FAMMFoundation’s #icare4 campaign. 7/13

https://twitter.com/Nu2You2/status/1349375057223704576

Even VA Law enforcement members representing @PoliceForReform, came forward this year in support of eliminating Mandatory Minimums, citing that ending them will bolster trust in law enforcement. pilotonline.com/opinion/column… 8/13

VA Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance, @VActionAlliance, say Mand Mins provide “little real safety for victims or true accountability for offenders.” Sidebar, Criminologists conclude Mandatory Minimums don’t work and don’t deter crime. cbs19news.com/story/43301533… 9/13

A diverse community of advocates ranging from @FAMMFoundation @AFPVA @ACLUVA @VActionAlliance to @HumanizationPro, all came together to present a letter to the General Assembly to STRONGLY OPPOSE Mandatory Minimum sentences. Not some, ALL. justiceforwardva.com/blog/2021/2/17… 10/13

https://twitter.com/JusticeFwdVa/status/1362109566062886914

POLLING DATA from @DataProgress: An OVERWHELMING 71% of VA voters support allowing judges and juries to make individualized sentencing decisions. AND 50% of Virginians strongly or somewhat support repealing ALL, w/ 64% of Dems supporting the repeal of ALL Mandatory Minimums.11/13

And did you know that by eliminating ALL Mandatory Minimums, VA could avoid spending $80.2M over 5yrs, give over 2,400 life yrs back, and decrease the prison population’s racial disparity—joining over 30 states that reformed or repealed Mandatory Mins?! 12/13

Perhaps “the icing on the cake” of support to the Repeal of Mandatory Minimums, is the Chief Patron of the House bill to eliminate only SOME mandatory minimums—he in fact strongly supports the Repeal of ALL Mandatory Minimums! Facts. #EndMandatoryMinimums ALL of them. 13/13