2016/02/22 – One Voice, along with State Representative Kabir Karriem (District 41), will host a town hall
meeting entitled “Promises Unmet” to discuss the impact of the “War on Drugs” and mass
incarceration in the Golden Triangle Area, in Columbus, on Thursday, February 25, 2016, at
6:00 p.m., at the Municipal Complex. “Promises Unmet” will feature a candid discussion
between the community and law enforcement about neighborhood crime, racial profiling, and
drug addiction.

“We hope that this conversation will be a part of ongoing solutions to problems in our
community. We can’t keep relying on incarceration as the only way to keep our streets safe. We
have to work together to develop real solutions, not band aid approaches that cover up real
problems,” said Rep. Karriem, who served as Councilman of Ward 5 in Columbus until his
recent election to the state legislative seat previously held by the late Esther Harrison.
One Voice is hosting two town hall meetings on criminal justice issues in preparation for the
United Nations General Assembly Special Session on drugs (UNGASS 2016). This special
session, happening in April, will focus on policies surrounding drug use and drug law
enforcement around the world. One Voice will document stories about racial profiling, incidents
of drug overdose, and unfair sentencing practices in order to share with statewide, national, and
worldwide leaders fighting for drug law reform. The second town hall meeting will take place
on March 31st in Gulfport, MS.

“The Golden Triangle is the perfect place to demonstrate the failure of ‘War on Drugs’ policies
and practices,” said Derrick Johnson, Executive Director of One Voice. “After decades of
arrests and extremely long sentences for drug use and distribution, safety continues to be a major
problem in Columbus. Incarceration cannot and will never be the solution to community crime
problems,” Johnson continued.

Newly elected District Attorney Scott Colom will attend the town hall meeting to unveil his
vision for the DA’s office in the Golden Triangle. Oscar Lewis, Chief of the Columbus Police
Department, and Columbus City Council members have been invited, and MS Bureau of
Investigation representatives will be on hand to provide an update on the Ricky Ball case.
Volunteer attorneys also will be present to consult with individuals who are interested in having
their criminal records expunged.

Partnering organizations for “Promises Unmet” include: Lowndes County NAACP, Oktibbeha
County NAACP, and the Drug Policy Alliance.

Source: MS NAACP