We, the undersigned, are asking that you, Governor Newsom, to grant Maria Kanaka Luna (Kanaka) a pardon for three primary reasons which will be explained in greater detail below.

Maria grew up in San Francisco, California, and did not know that she was actually born in the Philippines. Thus, she did not know that she wasn’t a U.S. citizen until 2018, when she realized she faces imminent deportation. Maria’s family immigrated to the U.S. when she was 3, so Maria has no memories of the Philippines. Both her mom and dad worked long hours while she was growing up. Her family lived in neighborhoods that had a lot of violence and few access to resources. Maria is also the survivor of sexual violence, and without the resources to cope with her traumas, Maria engaged in negative behaviors that led her to commit her crime.

Reason #1: Kanaka has earned it. While Kanaka was incarcerated, she reflected on her traumas and actions. She resolved to rehabilitate and give back to her community. Kanaka participated in Prison of Peace, a program that teaches mediation and conflict resolution. She also became a California Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor, and helped other inmates who struggled with addiction. She engaged with her spirituality and culture through an API and Native American spiritual healing program. These experiences allowed Maria to rehabilitate while helping others as well.

As the first formerly incarcerated woman to serve as a leader in API RISE she has offered her story and heart of service in an array of settings, including: a powerful voice in the API RISE East/West Players production of “From Number to Name,” which highlighted individual and collective narratives of incarcerated API’s. Her fierce dedication to advocating on behalf of anyone who has been oppressed can be seen through her advocacy with victims of hate crimes (Roque family), the LA City Mayoral race, testimonies for state bills that remove excessive punishments, and speaking on panels such as the “Pardons for the People” symposium. Maria has served as a case manager for a reentry program and is currently working in the Tattoo removal program for HomeBoy Industries. Maria is also attending East Los Angeles Community College in pursuit of a degree in Sociology in order to better serve her community.

Reason #2: Kanaka must be protected, not deported. Kanaka is facing deportation to the Philippines, a country that she has no memory of. She would be in tremendous danger if  deported to the Philippines, because of President Duturte’s  “War on Drugs” has resulted in the deaths of thousands of drug users or suspected drug users. As a formerly-incarcerated person, Kanaka would be suspected of using drugs and is at great risk of being a target of these assassinations despite her rehabilitation and drug-free life. This pardon would provide Kanaka a sanctuary where she can continue helping her community and continue restoring her relationships with her mother, brother, and friends. 

Reason #3: She has cultivated support from an array of community groups that will keep her positive life trajectory in motion.  

Asian Pacific Islander Reentry through Support Inclusion & Empowerment
Asian Prisoner Support Committee
HomeBoy Industries  
Rev. Gregory J. Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries 
Jo Ann Dawson, MD MPH
Rudy Corpuz Jr., founder and Executive Director of United Playaz Youth Organization 
Yvette Alsina, SUDCC ll 
Aisha Sosa-Perez, B.S., SUDCC II, Amity Foundation Director at CIW
Godfrey Plata, Deputy Director, LA Action
Kristina Wong, Elected Representative of Sub District 5 on the Wilshire Center Koreatown Neighborhood Council, Pulitzer Prize Finalist in Drama
Lisa Feintech,M.D., The Anonymoose Foundation 
Katherine Ally Zaslavsky, Hate is a Virus Host
Kat Carrido, Social Media Community Manager at Homeboy Industries 
Marvin Kelly, Director Tattoo Removal department at Homeboy Industries 
Joan Noneman, RN
Eddy Zheng, founder and President of New Breath Foundation 
Nathaniel Tan, MA, Co-Director Asian Prisoners Support Committee
Amy Anderson, Administrative management at Homeboy Industries 
Dion Corsey, co-owner/co-founder of 2nd Chance Soul Food Fish Fry
Renford Reese, Ph.D., Professor, Cal Poly Pomona Founder/Director, Reintegration Academy
Peraya Siriwong, Attorney at Law 
Anne Simon, MD
Robert Schneider, MD
Kanaka belongs here in the United States. Her future is here, not in the Philippines. She is a ray of light to so many who continue to struggle in darkness.

Call or EMAIL the Governor:

To Email Gov. Newsom, click here to go to website: https://govapps.gov.ca.gov/gov40mail/ select “Have comment.” Fill in the form, and under “Please choose a subject” select “Clemency/Pardon”

Call: Gov. Newsom (916) 445-2841