October 1986
Reagan signs the Anti-Drug Abuse Act, establishing mandatory minimum sentences with a 100:1 disparity between crack and powder cocaine: 5 grams of crack triggers a 5-year mandatory minimum, versus 500 grams of powder. Sponsored by Rep. Charles Rangel and Sen. Lawton Chiles among others, the Senate passes it 97–2. Since 80% of federal crack defendants are Black, the law produces racially discriminatory outcomes by design.
The House votes 313–83 and the Senate 78–21 to override Reagan's veto of the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986, enacting mandatory sanctions against South Africa. The override is a major victory for the anti-apartheid movement led by TransAfrica's Randall Robinson and the Congressional Black Caucus.
Events
- October 27, 1986Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986 Encodes 100:1 Crack Sentencing Disparity
Reagan signs the Anti-Drug Abuse Act, establishing mandatory minimum sentences with a 100:1 disparity between crack and powder cocaine: 5 grams of crack triggers a 5-year mandatory minimum, versus 500 grams of powder. Sponsored by Rep. Charles Rangel and Sen. Lawton Chiles among others, the Senate passes it 97–2. Since 80% of federal crack defendants are Black, the law produces racially discriminatory outcomes by design.
- October 2, 1986Congress Overrides Reagan's Apartheid Sanctions Veto
The House votes 313–83 and the Senate 78–21 to override Reagan's veto of the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986, enacting mandatory sanctions against South Africa. The override is a major victory for the anti-apartheid movement led by TransAfrica's Randall Robinson and the Congressional Black Caucus.
- October 27, 1986The Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986
Mandatory minimums punish crack 100x more harshly than powder cocaine, devastating Black defendants.