Petition by Lindsay Ryan,
Kingston, United States

When 14 year-old Eric Martin started high school this fall, his parents were assured that the zero-tolerance anti-bullying policy in place at Highland Spring High School would spare Eric from the relentless bullying he had faced since first grade. Instead, Eric was not just bullied but brutally beaten by a group of students at school while other classmates watched, leaving him with a broken wrist, a 9-day hospital stay, and a traumatic brain injury which will affect him for the rest of his life.

What happened next was shocking: while still recovering from his injuries, Highland Spring brought charges against Eric for the assault. 

Eric admits to lunging at the bullies as they threatened and yelled anti-gay slurs at him, but even though the other boys did not suffer any major injuries and Eric was viciously beaten into unconsciousness, he is the one being punished.

I reached out to Eric’s family after hearing his story, and started a petition asking Highland Spring High School and Henrico County to drop the charges against Eric. Will you join me by signing my petition?

As a person who endured a lifetime of bullying by a family member myself, I knew that I had to take a stand. What happened to Eric is horrible, and he deserves justice. 

Eric is a kind, soft-spoken boy who has endured more than any 14 year old should, and now his life is on hold because of bad decisions made not just by school bullies, but by the administration of Highland Spring High School as well. By signing my petition, you’ll help send a clear message to the administration that punishing Eric for standing up for himself isn’t right.

Please join me in taking a stand against bullying everywhere, and call for the assault charges against Eric to be dropped.

Lindsay Ryan
Kingston, NY

http://www.richmond.com/news/bullied-highland-springs-student-assigned-to-anger-management/article_1d0907c8-d1cb-5c37-b33b-0a17a74dde54.html

More evidence of how screwed-up our justices system is… the person who was bullied is forced to participate in an anger-management program

TO: Brian J. Towne (LaSalle County State’s Attorney) : Drop Charges Against Good Samaritan for Rescuing Bald Eagles

We are writing to you today regarding the trial of Mr. Steve Patterson; a man who rescued two bald eagles from a blown down nest in LaSalle County, Illinois in June 2013.  We have been following this story since it happened, and have learned that a status hearing will be taking place on October 29, 2014 after last week’s mistrial.

Sir, we come before you not only as wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers, but as constituents and taxpayers in this wonderful state of Illinois.  The time, effort and money that has been spent in trying to prosecute this man could be used in so many other ways, such as going after true criminals by prosecuting those who are out to hurt; not those who are trying to help.

It was only after witnessing the eaglets on the ground for several days and seeing them injured that Mr. Patterson decided to take matters into his own hands.  Yes, he broke the law, but most states have laws protecting people who rescue injured animals.

The federal Good Samaritan protection law is not available under Illinois law, which makes things very difficult for a person who is only trying to help an injured or suffering animal. The term “take”, as defined by Sec 1.2o of the Illinois Wildlife Code 520 ILCS 5/1.2o, “means hunt, shoot, pursue, lure, kill, destroy, capture, gig or spear, trap or ensnare, harass, or to attempt to do so.” These attributes make it sound like “taking” is done with malicious intent; not with the intent to rescue and help an injured animal.  Clearly, Mr. Patterson’s intentions were not malicious.  He did not take the eagles home to raise them as pets or attempt to nurse the eagles back to good health; he immediately contacted a professional with a license to do so.

If this man is prosecuted, it will set a precedent for people to turn their backs when they see an animal suffering.  Wildlife rehabilitation facilities count on Good Samaritans to be their eyes and ears when they are unable to get to the phones or out to the rescue sites due to being overworked, understaffed, and self-funded for the most part.  The world is already a callous and uncaring place with very few people who care for the well being of animals and nature. Every animal deserves a timely rescue, or a humane death, and that’s where I believe most people’s motives come from…not just for the animal to be saved, but to be relieved if it is in fact injured and/or suffering.  We believe that Mr. Patterson’s motive was only to help the eagles.

We ask for your consideration in dropping all charges against Mr. Patterson. Please do not use our tax dollars to pay for a second trial. This county needs money to go into the local economy and to assist with the natural disasters it has faced over the past two years; not another trial for a man who picked up two birds.  Thank you for your time and consideration.

Brian J. Towne, LaSalle County State’s Attorney is the person who is Prosecuting Mr. Patterson.  If you want to tell Mr. Towne what you think about him Prosecuting this good Samaritan for Rescuing Bald Eagles, here’s his contact info;

Towne, Brian J.
Office of State’s Attorney
707 East Etna Road
Ottawa, IL 61350
815-434-8340

Contact the Governor

Pat Quinn
Office of the Governor of Illinois
207 State House
Springfield, IL 62706
Phone: 217-782-0244
By Email

Petition by Mary-Michael McDonald
Lexington, Kentucky

In the Spring of 1999, at the age of 22, Aaron Glasscock was just 2 months from graduating a pre-med program in preparation for medical school, in a quest to fulfill his childhood dream of becoming a pediatrician. His father had given him an opportunity for a final spring break. All that was required of Aaron was to drive his father’s friend, Walter, to Florida to look at a potential “flip” house.

Aaron & Walter made it to their hotel late at night and slept late the next morning. Not long after a hot shower and the beginning of a cup of coffee, DEA agents were knocking at the door, throwing Aaron to the ground and questioning him about things of which he knew nothing. What Aaron didn’t know was that the truck he had been driving had a false tank containing $900,000 in cash; cash that was presumed to be used in a drug deal. The truck was also registered in Aaron’s name, though the signature was shown at trial not to be his.

After a mistrial and 2 hung juries, Aaron was found guilty and ultimately sentenced to 30 years in federal prison, where parole is not an option. In 3 of Aaron’s 4 trials Walter testified, for the prosecution, that Aaron was never around drugs or money, or even any conversations dealing with such. His father remained silent in defense of his son for fear of an even larger sentence.

At this time Aaron has served nearly 16 years of his sentence. He is now 37 years old. He has been a model prisoner, works a full time job in Prison Industries (UNICOR), teaches fitness classes and bible studies and has a tremendous faith in God. He is not bitter, in fact he is incredibly inspirational to all who know him.

In March he submitted a request for clemency in the hopes of being released early. We ask for President Obama to consider the time he has served as enough. Even if Aaron were guilty, this sentence is extremely harsh for a non-violent offense. Especially considering Aaron had no record prior to this. At the very least, Aaron is a waste on tax payers dollars. At the most, he is an incredibly gifted, hard working and giving human being who should be given a chance to see his family again, start a family of his own, have a career and experience life outside of those walls. He has been there long enough. Let’s bring him home!

Portland State University: Stop Violating The Sexual Assault Law: Title IX

Susana Ruiz
Portland, Oregon

A dear friend was violently raped by a Portland State University Student on Portland State University campus in the university’s housing and Portland State University has done nothing to reassure that justice has been brought. She not only had a rape kit performed but also went to the Portland Police who brought her straight back to the campus security. She reported the sexual assault to the school and only had a trial after much delay. After this tragic incident it seems as though following the guidelines of reporting a sexual assault with hard evidence existing of said assault, justice and safety to a victim will not be guaranteed. The violations to the Student Code of Conduct are determined by a preponderance of evidence. Despite that fact, my friend’s violent rapist will have no consequences and is walking away free despite having video and physical evidence against him. Despite all the evidence, he will return to school at Portland State University this fall with no charges against him.

Under Title IX, students should feel comfortable enough to get an education without having to worry about being assaulted. Portland State University seems like a safe environment, with many bright lights surrounding the campus, campus police patrolling about, and the ‘Creating a Safe Campus’ module that was intended to inform students about sexual harassment, sexual misconduct and sexual assault. This said module is a requirement for all students in order to be enrolled at Portland State University. This module goes on about Title IX, examples of sexual assault and where to report sexual assault.

We need your help to show Portland State University that sexual assault should not be tolerated ANYWHERE.  They need to realize that they are violating Title IX and that RAPE IS A CRIME. My friend’s rapist needs to receive the punishment he deserves for what he has done. We need justice to be served in Portland State University so nobody has to worry about their safety while trying to do something good for their lives.

Sign Susana’s petition

Dicky Joe Jackson’s son needed a bone marrow transplant to save his life. Unable to pay the hundreds of thousands of dollars for the surgery, Dicky Joe transported meth to make the money. Now he’s in jail for life unless he’s granted clemency.

n November of last year, the ACLU released a report, “A Living Death,” that documents the more than 3,200 men and woman serving life sentences without chance of parole for nonviolent offenses.  Among them is Dicky Joe Jackson in the Forrest City Federal Correctional Institution, Forrest City, AR. A trucker from Boyd, Texas, Jackson did not have the means to pay for a life saving bone-marrow transplant his then 2-year-old son, Cole, required. Through community fundraisers, the family raised just $50,000. However, the boy’s bills required $250,000 more for surgery. Jackson then made a bad, desperate choice. He started carrying meth in his truck to earn the money from a local drug dealer for the surgery to proceed. After the surgery, Cole still required a monthly treatment that cost $4,000, which Jackson also covered by transporting meth.

Cole lived but at a price. Jackson was arrested in 1995. A judge later disciplined for the overly harsh sentences he routinely handed down sentenced Jackson to life. He has so far served 18 years of a life sentence. The federal prosecutor who tried Jackson’s case wrote a letter supporting clemency for Jackson. The prosecutor, now a criminal court judge in Dallas, wrote, “I saw no indication that Mr. Jackson was violent, that he was any sort of large scale narcotics trafficker, or that he committed his crimes for any reason other than to get money to care for his gravely ill child.”

Listen to this NPR program on Jackson’s plight: http://snapjudgment.org/ultimate-sacrifice

Read this piece in Guernica Magazine about Jackson: http://www.guernicamag.com/features/the-life-sentence-of-dicky-joe-jackson-and-his-family/

Petition by Carrie Tyler
Las Vegas, NV

My brother Timothy Tyler was just 25 years old when he was sentenced to die in prison for a nonviolent drug offense. He’s watched murderers and rapists leave prison while he has no chance of ever leaving. He is now 45 years old and I want to bring him home.

Timothy was a young Grateful Dead fan, who in May of 1992, sold pot and LSD to a friend who turned out to be a police informant. He had never been to prison before, but a judge was forced to give him double life without the possiblity of parole because of two prior drug convictions — even though both those convictions resulted in probation.

Life without the possibility of parole means my brother will never have a chance to live outside of prison walls. It’s effectively a death sentence.

Tim made mistakes when he was young, but after 22 years in prison, he has more than paid his debt to society. He is not a threat to anyone. He wasn’t given a chance to get clean and sober to think about the damage he was doing to his life. They locked him up and threw away the key.

But there’s hope.   In December, President Obama granted clemency to 8 nonviolent drug offenders who were serving mandatory sentences for crack cocaine. And the Department of Justice recently asked for Bar Associations throughout the country to send them more clemency petitions for nonviolent drug offenders.

It costs $25,000 per year to keep my non-violent brother in prison for a mistake he made more than 20 years ago.  So far, that is over half a million dollars.  Not only is that not justice, but it’s a waste of money.

I need your help to show them that Americans think Timothy has paid his debt to society and shouldn’t be housed in a cage at the expense of taxpayers anymore. He should be granted clemency.

Click here to sign the petition

Clemency for Roderick Walker – Life for LSD

Jeremy D
Hollywood, Florida

My best friend, Roderick “Rudd” Walker has been sentenced to spend the rest of his life behind bars – a life sentence without the chance of parole – for the non-violent offense of Conspiracy to Distribute LSD. He was charged with conspiracy because he was never actually found with any LSD.

One of the most important things about Rudd’s case is that he was never found with any drugs – he was convicted based on the testimony of others, who were themselves bargaining down their own jail time for other crimes by testifying against Rudd.

He has spent over a decade behind bars, away from his two beautiful children and loving extended family. Because of minimum-mandatory sentencing laws, he will never see his family and friends as a free man. After 12 years, I believe that Rudd has paid the price for any perceived crime against society.

Rudd, once Grateful Dead fan traveling the country to follow the music, can no longer travel past the confines of his small dingy prison cell. Rudd is an artist, jewelry designer, and holds great potential benefit to the human community. His gifts can never be realized while he is locked away senselessly until his death.

Life without parole is the second most severe penalty permitted by law in America, right after the death penalty.  This should be reserved for our worst and most violent criminals, not non-violent DeadHeads. Rudd is certainly no threat to anyone. He has paid his debt and shouldn’t die lonley and forgotten in the depths of the criminal justice system for a non-violent drug offense.

Recently the Justice Department announced a new initiative which actively solicits clemency petitions from inmates who have served more than 10 years for a nonviolent crime. Please support our petition for commutation (reduction) of his sentence, and help bring Rudd home to his family.

Rudd’s sentence costs tax payers almost $30,000 per year. Almost a half million dollars has been spent on his incarceration and could easily spend several million more over the next few decades. Rudd’s debt to society has been paid in full and he should not be caged for the rest of his life at taxpayer expense.

Your signature is critical in helping to bring my best friend home. Make a difference and help us right this injustice and bring our family together.

Sign Jeremy’s Petition

On June 23, 2012 Darren Rainey, a 50-year-old mentally ill state prison inmate in Miami-Dade County, died after guards responded to his defecating in his cell by locking him into a 180-degree shower for two hours—at which point his skin was separating from his body. Local police, and the state, failed to properly investigate. The case was only brought to light in recent months by The Miami Herald. After two years, no one has been held criminally accountable, or even charged.

Darren was serving a two-year sentence for drug possession and housed in a psychiatric unit. After his death, guards forced another prisoner, Mark Joiner, to clean up the shower where Darren died, including chunks of skin.

“He was crying, please stop, please stop, Joiner said. And they just said “Enjoy your shower, and left.”

Only the U.S. Department of Justice can properly investigate this terrible crime, and a broader culture of abuse in Florida’s prisons that has led to other unnecessary deaths, and which falls especially hard on the mentally ill.

Petition by Steven Wetstein
Miami, FL

Click here to sign petition

Felix Garcia is a kind deaf man who has been in prison for 33 years for a murder he did not commit. Please help me set him free.

What happened to Felix Garcia may be the worst story I’ve ever heard in my life. Felix was framed for murder by his own brother when he was just 19 years old; now he has been in prison for more than 30 years. His brother has since signed a sworn affidavit swearing that he committed the murder that sent Felix to prison for life.

What’s even worse is that Felix is deaf — he couldn’t even understand the testimony at his own trial. For Felix, every day in prison is like lonely and miserable solitary confinement.

Felix was just 19 when his older brother and his sister’s boyfriend committed an armed robbery that led to a murder. Felix was a kind kid with a girlfriend and a new baby daughter. He had no idea what he was doing when he signed a pawn shop receipt at his siblings’ request for a ring that was stolen during the robbery. That receipt became the sole piece of physical evidence that sent Felix to prison for life.

I’m a paralegal, and I’ve been fighting to free Felix for more than seventeen years. The justice system has failed Felix, so I need your help to bring national attention to his story. Please sign my petition to set Felix free.

After Felix’s siblings lied in court and sent him to prison, his parents abandoned him. They told him they were moving and not to look for them if he ever got out of prison.

Felix’s older brother, Frank, signed a sworn affidavit in 1989 saying that he had committed the murder, and that he had lied when he testified against Felix. That affidavit was misfiled, so it wasn’t presented in court until 17 years later. At that hearing, despite 6 sworn affidavits and Frank’s confession, the judge said he just didn’t know what was true. He sent Felix back to prison.

In 1999, after one of Felix’s worst setbacks, I went to the jail and told him, ‘Felix, I am sticking with you till the very end. I will be that mother you don’t have, that sister you don’t have.’ He’s called me Mom ever since.

I still have so much hope for Felix. In the past year two innocent people have been freed from prison after successful Change.org petitions convinced their governor to grant them clemency. I know we can do the same for Felix. He needs us. I can’t do it on my own. He needs our help to come home.

Please click here to sign the petition calling on Governor Rick Scott to grant clemency to Felix. He is an innocent man, and it’s time for his nightmare to be over.

Thank you,

Pat Bliss
Wytheville, Virginia