Even though discrimination within our criminal justice system has always been an issue. It was more prevalent during the war on drugs from the 1970s to the 1980s, which shaped what we now know as our criminal justice system. 

The war on drugs harmed our criminal justice system by targeting minority groups and communities and incarcerating various minority individuals who were not drug users. Also, law enforcement officers were taught and are still being taught to use the stop and frisk method on minority individuals who are considered to be acting "suspicious". Along with this, there are various old and recent cases where law enforcement officers, specifically white law enforcement officers, use excessive force on minority people when it comes to arresting them or generally stopping them, where there is no need for this type of force to be applied on these individuals. Such as the George Floyd case, where George Floyd, an unarmed black individual, was stopped by police officers out of suspicion and was placed under arrest. Floyd was not resisting arrest, but police officers still used excessive force on him by kneeling on his neck, which prevented him from breathing and caused his death. There have been a lot more cases like George Floyd's case, where excessive force by law enforcement officers has caused the death of an individual. Recent studies have also shown that police officers are 3.5 times more likely to shoot unarmed black males compared to white males. 

Not only is law enforcement racially influenced, but also the sentences and convictions given to many minority individuals, since these sentences are a lot harsher towards these minority individuals compared to white individuals. Before the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, the disparity between the offenses of the same amount of cocaine was 100:1. Also, the sentencing of a black offender for cocaine was as long as that of a violent crime for white offenders. Another unfair sentencing for minority individuals is that both Black and Hispanic offenders are more likely to be sentenced to incarceration for misdemeanors. In contrast, white offenders are sentenced to probation or parole for the same misdemeanor. Not only is this harsh sentencing seen in adults, but also in juveniles. Research has also found that juvenile minorities are sentenced as adults and are referred to harsh physical punishments. Meanwhile, white juveniles are still sentenced as juveniles and are just referred to therapeutic sanctions.

It is sad to see that our criminal justice system has not changed over the years. Hence, with this petition, we can speak up and help change our criminal justice system to stop this inequality and discrimination. Especially since not only are adult minorities being negatively affected by this kind of racial discrimination, but also juveniles. It is important to speak up now that we have a chance to fight for a change before this racial discrimination spreads even further within our criminal justice system. 

Thank you for taking the time to read about the injustice going on within our criminal justice system. 

Camila Quinonez 

You may also contact the government's Civil Rights Division to show your support: 

https://civilrights.justice.gov/

U.S. Department of Justice

Civil Rights Division

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, D.C. 20530-0001
(202) 514-3847

1-855-856-1247 (toll-free)

Telephone Device for the Deaf

(TTY) (202) 514-0716