Rand Paul to Urban League: Laws still unjust
Continuing his efforts to reach out to the African American community, potential 2016 Republican presidential candidate Rand Paul on Friday told the National Urban League that the nation's criminal laws still lacked justice for minorities.
The Kentucky senator announced that he was introducing a bill immediately that would eliminate the legal distinctions between crack and powder cocaine, a difference that has led to longer jail terms for the possession of crack.
Crack convictions generally hit more minorities than whites, while the law has been more lenient on possession of the powder form of the drug.
"We have to understand that race still plays a role in the law," Paul told the civil rights group's conference in Cincinnati.
But that must change, he said.
Paul reminded his audience that he is working with Democrats like Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., on legislation that would expunge records for non-violent and youth-related crimes under certain circumstances.
The senator sees that change as essential to restoring voting rights and improving job opportunities for minorities.
Paul said his goal is to help more people vote.
"We have to be together to defend the rights of all minorities," the Kentuckian said.
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Originally Posted by WD-NY
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