ACLU urging candidates “to oppose mandatory minimum sentencing”

Perhaps in response to reports that the Clinton campaign team was criticizing Barack Obama’s opposition to federal mandatory minimum sentences (details here), the ACLU has issued this new press release titled “ACLU Hopes Candidates Won’t Make Straw Man of Sensible Sentencing Reforms.”  Here is how the release begins:

The American Civil Liberties Union Washington Legislative Office, a non-partisan organization, believes Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) was mistaken when she called ending mandatory minimum sentences a controversial position.  The organization urges all candidates, from all parties, to oppose mandatory minimum sentencing and support legislation to close the sentencing disparities between crack and powder cocaine.  The policy of mandatory minimum sentencing has led to thousands of people serving longer jail sentences and has contributed to the unfair sentencing disparities between federal crack and powder cocaine offenses that disproportionately affect people of color.