Ask Michigan Governor to Commute Battered Women's Sentences

Ask Michigan Governor to Commute Battered Women's Sentences

The Issue

Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) is on her way out of office, but local activists have a suggestion for her before she goes: commute the sentences of domestic abuse victims who didn't receive a fair trial.

Many of the women the Michigan Battered Women's Clemency Project are fighting for have been in prison for decades, while an understanding of battered women's syndrome has only recently began to permeate the criminal justice system. They never had a chance at justice.

 

Gov. Granholm rejected the 20 women's clemency petitions before, probably out of a desire to appear tough on crime for a re-election bid. But now that she's on her way out, the call to action is timely.

Please sign this petition to ask Granholm to make one of her last actions as governor a gesture on behalf of battered women. She holds the lives of 20 women in her hands, 20 women who were victimized first by their partners and then by a flawed justice system.

Photo credit: Center for American Progress

avatar of the starter
Alex DiBrancoPetition StarterAlex is passionate about feminism, queer issues, sex positivism, atheism/secular humanism, full rights for everyone who crosses our borders (voluntarily or not), and critiquing America’s flawed educational system. She has worked for The Nation, Political Research Associates (a think-tank that monitors the right-wing), and the Center for American Progress. Alex is now based in New York City and writes poetry on the sly.
This petition had 270 supporters

The Issue

Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) is on her way out of office, but local activists have a suggestion for her before she goes: commute the sentences of domestic abuse victims who didn't receive a fair trial.

Many of the women the Michigan Battered Women's Clemency Project are fighting for have been in prison for decades, while an understanding of battered women's syndrome has only recently began to permeate the criminal justice system. They never had a chance at justice.

 

Gov. Granholm rejected the 20 women's clemency petitions before, probably out of a desire to appear tough on crime for a re-election bid. But now that she's on her way out, the call to action is timely.

Please sign this petition to ask Granholm to make one of her last actions as governor a gesture on behalf of battered women. She holds the lives of 20 women in her hands, 20 women who were victimized first by their partners and then by a flawed justice system.

Photo credit: Center for American Progress

avatar of the starter
Alex DiBrancoPetition StarterAlex is passionate about feminism, queer issues, sex positivism, atheism/secular humanism, full rights for everyone who crosses our borders (voluntarily or not), and critiquing America’s flawed educational system. She has worked for The Nation, Political Research Associates (a think-tank that monitors the right-wing), and the Center for American Progress. Alex is now based in New York City and writes poetry on the sly.

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