FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Chelsea Fuller, Chelsea@teamblackbird.org
Thursday December 20, 2018
Clergy, Leaders, Urge Governor Haslam to Keep His Word and
Grant Clemency for Cyntoia Brown Before End of Term
Today, Clergy from around the nation are joining leaders calling on Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam to release Cyntoia Brown before the coming holiday.
NASHVILLE— This afternoon, Governor Bill Haslam granted executive clemency to 11 peopleexcluding Cyntoia Brown. Haslam’s decision comes amidst a national outpour of demands, moral calls for her clemency, and a p ress conference hosted by Nashville’s Interdenominational Ministers Fellowship (IMF) in conjunction with Black Lives Matter Nashville.
Today marks the fourth day in the national week of action launched by The ‘me too.’ Movement, The Highlander Research and Education Center, Black Lives Matter Nashville and Color of Change. The goal each day has been to pressure Haslam through different channels and stakeholders to grant clemency for Cyntoia, the 30-year-old Tennessee woman incarcerated in 2004, for fatally shooting a 43-year-old man threatening sexual violence after having trafficked her at age 16. Today, Clergy, leaders and public figures from around the nation are asking that Halsam, who himself is an ordained elder, to do the moral and just thing by granting her release. The following is a compilation of statements from people standing in solidarity with Cyntoia and others like her:
Brittany T. Paschall, Organizer with Black Lives Matter Nashville:
“Haslam’s exclusion of Cyntoia in today’s clemency announcement once again points to the disregard of Black women and girls by the carceral state. The time is now that Gov. Haslam listens to the voice of the people, of justice, and grants Cyntoia her clemency immediately. Cyntoia cannot wait. Black girls and women (cis and trans) cannot and will not wait. And we as Black Lives Matter Nashville will not wait.”
Candice Marie Benbow, Essayist and Host of “Red Lip Theology” Podcast:
“Throughout Jesus’ entire ministry, he showed extreme care and compassion toward children. Those of us engaged in any ministry or work in His name are called to do the same. We live in a
world where children, especially those within marginalized communities, are robbed of the opportunity to thrive and be whole. We see this so clearly in the mistreatment of Cyntoia Brown. And it is our responsibility, as a community of faith, to demand justice. I stand with other faith leaders and thinkers in the request for clemency for Cyntoia. May the world know that those of us who seek to be like Jesus will not forsake his children.
Dr. Irie L. Session, Co-Pastor of The Gathering, A Womanist Church in Dallas, Texas:
“Each Sunday in churches throughout the world, followers of Jesus Christ pray, ‘Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” This line in the Lord’s Prayer suggests that we make what is important to God, important to us, here and now. Justice for the oppressed and marginalized is important to God and ought to be important to us. Justice for Cyntoia Brown, a girl victimized by rape and sex trafficking, a girl only trying to survive, is important to God; she ought to also be important to the church.”
Clarise McCants, Criminal Justice Campaign Director at Color Of Change:
“Today’s decision from Governor Haslam to grant 11 people clemency but not Cyntoia Brown is an intentional dismissal of the week of an outpouring of support for her freedom and the groundswell of pressure on Governor Haslam to get Cyntoia home for the holidays. While Governor Haslam is preparing to enjoy the holidays with his family, Cyntoia is still locked in a cage. Cyntoia has suffered years of abuse and now is suffering behind bars all because she defended herself against the sexual predator who kidnapped her. Such dangerous laws that allow youth to be imprisoned their entire lives are unjustified and unconstitutional, and criminalizing survivors for protecting themselves in unsafe situations is traumatizing in itself. Granting Cyntoia’s release from prison is an important recognition of her dignity and humanity, and we will not rest until she is free.”
Maurice Mitchell, Executive Director, Working Families Party:
“The fact that Cyntoia Brown is facing a life in prison instead of the healing embrace of her community after a childhood interrupted by sex trafficking has everything to do with the fact that she’s a working class Black woman. This is a political tragedy fueled by racism, sexism, and class bias, and Gov. Haslam can resolve it with the strike of a pen. Our nation needs leaders who will demand justice for all people, and not just special protections for a wealthy and powerful few. We must elect leaders who can see right from wrong enough to grant clemency for a woman like Cyntoia that our society has betrayed, and not just comfort the comfortable.”
Darnell L. Moore, Writer and Activist:
“Cyntoia Brown’s case is a clear example of the ways “justice” and the law within the U.S criminal and judicial systems are used to over criminalize Black girls and women. She is a survivor of sexual violence who, while seeking to protect herself from further abuse, killed her abuser. And now she must face the abuse meted out by the state. We demand justice. And we demand it now. It has been withheld from her for far too long.”
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For more information about the campaign or to speak with leaders quoted above please contact Chelsea Fuller at Chelsea@teamblackbird.org
Black Lives Matter Nashville is a local chapter of the Black Lives Matter Network. The Black Lives Matter Network is a chapter-based national organization working for the validity of Black liberation movement.
The ‘me too.’ Movement is a global network of survivors and allies fighting against the systemic issues that allow sexual violence to persist in our communities. Rooted in the theory of “Empowerment through Empathy,” The ‘me too.’ Movement centers the needs and experiences of survivors in all its work, with the ultimate goal of ending sexual violence and increasing access to resources and services that will enable survivors to create the healing journeys they need and deserve.
The Highlander Research and Education Center is the nation’s preeminent social justice training and leadership center, serving as a catalyst for grassroots organizing and movement building in Appalachia and the U.S. South.
Color Of Change is the nation’s largest online racial justice organization. We help people respond effectively to injustice in the world around us. As a national online force driven by over one million members, we move decision-makers in corporations and government to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America. Visit http://www.colorofchange.org.