NEW PETITION: END BANISHMENT AS A FORM OF PUNISHMENT
Please read, sign, and share the petition link to help correct this issue.
https://change.org/endbanishment
In 2011, at 17-years-old, I was banned from 3 counties in the state of Georgia for a non-violent drug crime. I had a substance abuse problem. Stephens County, Georgia banned me permanently from the county my grandmother lives in. I haven't seen my grandmother since August of 2011 because of this punishment. She is currently in a nursing home in a county that I am banned from, and I cannot go see her before she passes away unless my banishment is lifted. I am being alienated from my grandmother due to a substance abuse disorder that I was struggling with at the time. I was banned from a community because of an addiction I suffered from. Was there something wrong with me to where I couldn't be accepted by that community? Discrimination, cruel, and inhumane. I have never been convicted of a violent crime. I wasn't selling narcotics. I wasn't hurting the community. I was arrested while I was in town visiting my grandmother. My ancestors have been in the northern parts of Georgia since the 1700's, before the United States was even formed. My ancestors are still buried all throughout the northern Georgia mountains and due to the banishment, I cannot even pay my respect to my ancestors.
The United States government should have no right to ban you for a non-violent crime. This is God's land, not the governments. In 1954, President Eisenhower added the words "under God" to the pledge of allegiance I said every morning in school. Even our former leaders of this country acknowledge the fact we are under God. It seems like this country is forgetting that. I'm asking you to really think about how wrong this is. If I am an American, born and raised, why am I not free to visit my grandmother? That is cruel.
Please sign and share this petition to show your support to end banishment as a form of punishment for non-violent criminal charges.
END BANISHMENT AS FORM OF PUNISHMENT
Eighth Amendment: Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Thank you to all supporters of our juvenile justice petition. If you have a spare moment, can you please share the petition link to build momentum to help change our juvenile justice system. I have been writing to lawmakers and departments in Georgia and I am getting somewhere, but it needs more signatures.
Juvenile Justice System Petition link:
https://change.org/help-protect-our-rights