1,000 signatures reached
To: Minnesota Clemency Review Commission
Pardon Me by Juneteenth!
I applied for clemency in October 2024. After four months of hearing absolutely NOTHING, I reached out to the executive director. She stated that I am eligible and will likely have a hearing in "August or September." This isn't good enough.
I'm constantly watching white men get pardoned in America while Black people have to sit on the sidelines.
Also, the community knows that there are applicants who have been pardoned without a hearing; we know that there are people who have received partial pardons - which is unclear; and we know that silence is violence. It's been nearly 200 days without a confirmation letter or anything I can look forward to.
My demand is clear: Provide a hearing by Juneteenth!
I'm constantly watching white men get pardoned in America while Black people have to sit on the sidelines.
Also, the community knows that there are applicants who have been pardoned without a hearing; we know that there are people who have received partial pardons - which is unclear; and we know that silence is violence. It's been nearly 200 days without a confirmation letter or anything I can look forward to.
My demand is clear: Provide a hearing by Juneteenth!
Why is this important?
If we truly want a society built on justice and equity, we should be clear about how people are "redeemed." There are thousands of wrongfully convicted people in the world, including Minnesota, as well as people who have paid their debts several times over.
I have made significant strides over the last 20 years and deserve to be pardoned. An injustice is happening. I was convicted for possession of a firearm in 1997; I was convicted of second-degree possession of a controlled substance in 2000; and was convicted for possession of a controlled substance in 2005. I've served time for these convictions, completed lengthy probation sentences, and have moved on with my life as much as possible. Now, it's time for the state to let me be free.
I'm pained by the lack of transparency in the process and do not feel that I'll receive a fair shot. If Minnesota would like to be deemed "progressive,' it's time to clean up this mess. Think about the women in Shakopee prison who hope to overcome their harms. What kind of precedent is being set for them?
I have made significant strides over the last 20 years and deserve to be pardoned. An injustice is happening. I was convicted for possession of a firearm in 1997; I was convicted of second-degree possession of a controlled substance in 2000; and was convicted for possession of a controlled substance in 2005. I've served time for these convictions, completed lengthy probation sentences, and have moved on with my life as much as possible. Now, it's time for the state to let me be free.
I'm pained by the lack of transparency in the process and do not feel that I'll receive a fair shot. If Minnesota would like to be deemed "progressive,' it's time to clean up this mess. Think about the women in Shakopee prison who hope to overcome their harms. What kind of precedent is being set for them?
Please sign and share the petition if you care about justice.