AN ABOMINATION

 

I know I just reached out about this, but I can’t get it out of my head.

It’s infuriating. It’s also a reminder of how important the work we’re doing is.

Because without the leadership of DA Larry Krasner and other courageous attorneys, Joe Ligon — who was just freed after serving 68 years — might still be in prison today.

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Shaun King, Real Justice [info@realjusticepac.org]
Date: Sun, Feb 14, 2020 at 1:13 PM
Subject: An abomination

I can hardly type these words because this story makes my blood boil. This is Joe Ligon:

He’s 83 years old. ⁣
⁣
He just got out of prison. ⁣
⁣
After serving 68 years. ⁣
⁣
If you did the math, yes, that means he was sent to prison when he was 15 years old. ⁣
⁣
Dwight Eisenhower was President. ⁣
⁣
Rosa Parks hadn’t even taken her seat yet and Dr. King hadn’t helped lead the Montgomery Bus Boycott. ⁣
⁣
Before all of that, Philadelphia sentenced a 15 year-old boy to life in prison. ⁣
⁣
He didn’t kill anyone. He was just there when someone else did. ⁣
⁣
And the papers and police and prosecutors literally called them animals and wolves. Sent a child to prison and never looked back. ⁣
⁣
No child in American history ever spent more time in prison than Joe. ⁣
⁣
It’s an abomination. That’s the word for it. ⁣
⁣
And it’s why I’m giving my life to elect people like Larry Krasner as DA of Philadelphia. He did the hard work with attorneys and others to make sure Joe was set free. ⁣
⁣
Because every other DA before Larry literally didn’t even care. ⁣
⁣
Please. I’m begging you. 

And I’m going to see how we can help Joe, OK?⁣
⁣
We helped buy a house for Michael Thompson. Let’s get Joe what he needs. ⁣

Appreciate you,

Shaun