500 signatures reached
To: President Joe Biden, VP Kamala Harris, Sen. Raphael Warnock, Jon Ossoff ,Laphonza Butler, Cory Booker, Rep. Buddy Carter, Hank Johnson, Jasmine Crockett, Maxine Waters, James Clyburn, Sheila Jackson Lee, Barbara Lee, Maxwell Alejandro Frost
Pardon for Attorney Shaquandra Woods
In December 2023, Attorney Shaquandra Woods was unjustly convicted in an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) case and faced 20 years in federal prison.
On April 16, 2024, she was sentenced in the Southern District Courts, one of the harshest districts in the South, for being approved for a 30-year government loan that she is now considered ineligible for receiving. The funds she received were never used and returned with interest—paid in full. On top of that, she received overpayment checks from the Government/Small Business Administration (SBA), which were also never used. Additionally, any information she may have learned and shared about SBA programs is being viewed as possible conspiracy.
Attorney Woods advocates for and is passionate about representing the underserved and unprivileged. She is unwavering in her commitment to the community and the legal profession. Her advocacy stemmed from her childhood experiences, which included being initially raised by her single mother struggling with drug addiction. At 17 years old, Woods became a teenage mother. Despite this circumstance, she managed to graduate from high school. She became a first-generation college graduate of Edwards Waters College in 2008 and law school graduate of Florida Coastal School of Law in 2012. Helping people became her life’s mission - Woods took and passed both the Florida and Georgia bar exams. She served as Staff Attorney in the Fourth Judicial Circuit and appeared as Special Master for Post-conviction Motions in Jacksonville, Florida. Woods mentored over 100 students in inner-city schools and supported educational programming regarding the criminal justice system. As an active member of her church, she serves homeless communities in Savannah, Georgia and Jacksonville, Florida, by helping provide food and much-needed shelter services.
Despite her beating the odds and after learning about Attorney Woods’ childhood, the federal judge at sentencing stated, "You are at the bottom of the well again." This statement and other inappropriate actions by the court clearly demonstrate the judge's evident bias and personal disdain for Attorney Woods.
Attorney Woods has been sentenced to six years in federal prison for an unjust conviction. She is being punished for having the courage to exercise her Constitutional rights that so many individuals have fought and died for us to exercise. Yet, far too many leaders like Attorney Woods have found themselves targeted by a system that seeks to silence our voices and disregard our rights. However, our fight for justice and inequality remains at the forefront.
We are requesting a full pardon from President Biden for the unjust conviction of Attorney Woods.
Join us in this fight by signing this petition.
Why is this important?
Americans should not be targeted for exercising their constitutional rights!
When Federal agents initially questioned Attorney Woods, she immediately exercised her constitutional right to have an attorney speak on her behalf, which resulted in federal agents having to leave her property. Shortly after retaliation began, both co-defendants in this case, one of which was a convicted felon, were offered pre-trial diversion agreements. However, Attorney Woods, who had no criminal history, was only offered a prison sentence. With such a disparity in treatment by the government against Attorney Woods, this failure to extend the same program/agreement is a strong sign of retaliation for exercising her rights.
The Department of Justice continues to target black attorneys who are accessible leaders in their families and communities. Circumstances and activities surrounding this case also demonstrate efforts by the “system” to send a message to young, black female lawyers.