Drop The Rock!

The debate and outrage regarding New York's exaggerated Rockefeller Laws persists. Many notable celebrities like Russell Simmons, and organizations like Essence, Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project (CHAMP) and the NYCLU have come out in support of repealing these laws which disproportionately affect communities of color. DropTheRock.org reports that almost 90% of the people locked up in New York for drug offenses are African American or Latino, despite research showing that the majority of people who use and sell drugs are white.

They also report that of the nearly 12,000 people in New York’s prisons incarcerated under the drug laws, most of them minor offenders with no history of violent behavior. Even from a financial standpoint, these laws don't make sense. It costs New York $520 million a year to imprison drug offenders while repealing the Rockefeller Drug Laws would save the fiscally strapped state approximately $270 million per year. Research shows that drug treatment is less expensive than imprisonment and more successful in reducing drug-related crime.

NYC folks who want to get involved, check the info below about their rally in front of Governor David Patterson's NYC office. Did you know that when he was a senator he was arrested for promoting the sweeping overhaul of the Rockefeller Drug Laws outside of the New York City offices of then-Governor George Pataki. Funny how times change, eh?

If you can't attend, sign the petition in support of dropping the rock!

Thanks to my friends at CHAMP and the New York Civil Liberties Union for spreading the word! Visit them on Facebook too!
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The word from Albany is that lawmakers are moving closer to comprehensive reform of sentencing laws that make our communities more vulnerable to HIV. A strong showing in the streets now demonstrates to our state's officials our unity in transforming the policies and structures that put our communities at greatest risk for HIV.

Changing the Rockefeller Drug Laws is one critical part of HIV Prevention Justice. It's no coincidence that the communities most impacted by imprisonment also have the highest rates of HIV infection. At CHAMP, we know that HIV vulnerability is fueled by the socio-economic injustices that make it harder for all of us to protect our health.

We encourage you to attend the rally and fight for the healing and restoration our communities need!

WHAT: Rally to End the Rockefeller Drug Laws
WHEN: Wednesday, March 25th at 1:00 pm
WHERE: Governor David Paterson's NYC Offices, 633 3rd Ave.
(3rd Ave. between 40th and 41st Sts.)
WHY: The Rockefeller Drug Laws are mandatory minimum sentencing laws that require judges to lock up for years people caught with small amounts of drugs. Most of the thousands of people in prison are from just a handful of low-income NYC neighborhoods and more than 90 percent are black or Latino.

Join us in saying YES to a new approach that would bring Prevention Justice to our communities who are most affected by HIV and Imprisonment!

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Congrats to a Goddess Rising!

A good friend and colleague, my homegirl Vanessa Brocato, who I had the pleasure of working with for last year's spectacular Women Deliver conference in London; has officially been named Executive Director for New York City's Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project (CHAMP). CHAMP is an amazing organization and powerful community-based movement bridging HIV/AIDS, human rights, and struggles for social and economic justice. Vanessa will shine here and her spirit will shine and inspire those across the movement. Congrats lady Vanessa! (and a big up to Coco!)

CHAMP Welcomes New Executive Director
By Julie Davids

Earlier this year, CHAMP initiated a search for a new Executive Director as part of a transition plan to ensure our continued sustainability and flexibility as a national organization bridging HIV/AIDS, human rights, and social and economic justice.

I am delighted to announce that the CHAMP Board of Directors has hired Vanessa Brocato as Executive Director of CHAMP.

Vanessa joined the staff in our New York City office at the beginning of September.

Vanessa brings a wide range of experience and skills, as well as tremendous energy and creativity, to her new position.

Her HIV/AIDS work began as a Stop AIDS Chicago trained peer educator in high school and then as president of her college LGBTQ organization. After receiving her degree in Women's Studies from Bradley University, she earned a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center, where she received the human rights award for her graduating class.

Most recently, Vanessa worked as the Assistant Director for Prevention Policy at Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC).

She has also served in various capacities at amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research; Family Care International; Housing Works; the Sexuality Information & Education Council of the United States (SIECUS); Whitman-Walker HIV/AIDS Clinic, Legal Services; and the Women's Law and Public Policy Fellowship Program.

Vanessa is also a founding member of the Caucus for Evidence-Based Prevention. This year, she served as a contributing editor to the Caucus's daily newsletter at the International AIDS Conference in Mexico City. At the conference, she also co-presented the sexuality education advocacy workshop at the YouthForce Pre-Conference and blogged for www.AIDS2008.com.

In 2007, Vanessa was a key member of the coordinating team for the Women Deliver conference and advocacy campaign launched in London. In this capacity, Vanessa worked with advocates worldwide to facilitate the involvement of HIV-positive women, harm reduction advocates, women with disabilities, women who have experienced imprisonment, and young people into this pivotal conference on maternal health (MDG 5).

Her publications include "National Human Rights Commissions" in Voices of African Women: Women's Rights in Ghana, Uganda, and Tanzania (Carolina Academic Press); Understanding Religious and Political Opposition to Reproductive Health and Rights: a Resource Guide; and the SIECUS PEPFAR Country Profiles: Focusing in on Prevention and Youth (2005).

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