Black Lives Matter

Introduction:On January 23, 2001, David Allen found himself convicted and sentenced to a life behind bars for a crime he did not commit. Tragically, even before the jury's verdict, the justice system had already branded him as the "Monster" and "Powerful Godfather of the Most Notorious Blood Gang in the State of New Jersey." It's a harrowing tale of a man who placed his trust in the fairness of the trial process, only to be let down by a corrupt system that seems to prioritize its duty to protect African American communities over the pursuit of true justice. David Allen's story is not an isolated incident but rather a stark example of the struggles faced by African American communities throughout the United States. Instead of being the safeguard of their rights and freedoms, the justice system often appears to be working against them, perpetuating a cycle of persecution and coercion. Our Petition's Mission:Our petition is a call to action, seeking to end this grievous injustice and ensure that every innocent individual, like David Allen, is afforded a fair trial. We earnestly request your support to help us achieve this crucial objective. We invite you to read the heartfelt words of our fellow community member and stand alongside us in our relentless fight for justice. Together, we can make a difference and strive for a legal system that truly upholds the principles of fairness, equality, and justice for all. Join us today in our pursuit of a brighter, more just future.

Imagine your life being ripped away from you at the age of 18. You are a senior in high school as well as an honor roll student and preparing for graduation. Next you hear the sheriffs deputy pounding on your door, guns pointed at your chest, and then you're being handcuffed. Your lawyer tells you "You will be home and I believe you are innocent." Next you sit in the court room detached from reality trying to understand how can you fight for your rights. Unfortunately, you lack the finances, resources, and the knowledge of a lawyer. Twelve jurors SEE you, but do not HEAR you.The system that your parents told you to believe in is the same system that disregarded the law. They distorted the facts and created an image that was not you. Leaving you to feel as if you were alone fighting against INJUSTICE! This is not a movie or Netflix special. This is a true story of Joshua Christon's life.  My name is Joshua Christon and my charge is first degree murder. The nature of my crime took place in Oklahoma County, in the state of Oklahoma. It was four months after I turned 18 years old. I was an honor roll student waiting to graduate high school. I worked as a shift manager at Taco Bell while attending high school my Senior year.                                                                                                               Second point the victim’s, brother Albert Oakes, testified on the stand at the preliminary hearing that I did not kill his brother, but named my co-defendant Mr. Winford as the shooter. The preliminary hearing Judge bound me over for trial and the only reason was that the victim's brother saw me at the scene of the crime. Therefore, I shouldn't have been charged with first degree murder, but the District Attorney were upset that I chose not to become a state informant.                                                                                            There was no gun or any weapon found to belong to me, there was no camera that connected me to the crime, no DNA evidence, no fingerprints, or forensic evidence that connected me to the crime                                                                                                                        The District Attorney introduced misleading evidence regarding rap lyrics that were found in a plastic container in my bedroom. The District Attorney's used the rap lyrics to show my alleged mind-set, intent, and motive which they provided as their evidence to convict me(In- camera hearing TR.Pg. 7-58). However, the District Attorneys chose only certain rap lyrics and not all the genres of music that were found in the plastic container to convict me. The statement that was made to the Judge was the content that was in the plastic container contained only gangster lyrics is a contradiction. The District Attorneys, my lawyer, and the Judge failed to have all the context of all the music in the plastic container reviewed(In-camera hearing TR.Pg. 38. The rap lyric or music that was in the plastic container did not mention the name of the victim. It was music created before the crime that I am accused of occurred. The rap lyrics had nothing to do with the actual crime. The music was used as a smoke screen to create prejudicial discrimination and bias towards my first amendment rights. Which was a direct violation of my constitutional rights, and lead to a conviction.  Life Accomplishments After Being Incarcerated ·         Certified Paralegal/ Legal Assistant -Black Stone Institution ·         Certified & Ordained Minister -  P.M.I Associate Degree -- Calvary Christian College & Seminary  ·         Ordained Senior Pastor By Pastor Manning Sr. for the church called Divine Wisdom Worship Center Church of Lexington ·         President of Toastmasters of Lexical Toastmasters 2016-2017 and 2020-2021. ·         Toastmaster’s awards: Competent Communicator, Advance Communicator Bronze, Advance Communicator Silver, Advance Communicator Gold, Component Leadership, Advance Leadership Bronze, Advance Leadership Silver, and High Performance Leadership Award. ·           “First Evers” while incarcerated: Area K-1 Director for Toastmaster’s International in District 16 2016-2017 To receive a D.T.M. (Distinguished Toastmasters Award) which is the highest award in Toastmasters’ International achieved 2018. I helped c/o sponsored a toastmaster’s club called T.A.S.K. Toastmasters Club 6832817 achieved 2018.   ·         Certification of completion Thinking for a Change ·         Certification of completion Anger Management Course ·         Certification of completion Inside-Out (Victim Impact) ·         Multiple Certification of completion for Celebrate Recovery ·         Certification of completion T.A.S.K. (Teaching and Saving Kids) ·          T.I.B. (Teaching and Saving Kids Intervention Board Member) ·         A.A.C.G African American Culture Group Vice President of Membership Board Member 2019-2020 ·         C.M.A. Christian Men Association Chair Man- 2016-2017 and 2019-2020 ·         I have enrolled as a member with the N.A.A.C.P. & S.C.L.C. (Southern Christian Lutheran Conference) SPEAK UP FOR THE VOICELESS, WE NEED YOUR VOICE!   If anyone has any other ideas or suggestions please feel free to share it with us, we would love to hear them. PLEASE POST COMMENTS,SHARE THIS PETITION  & LET YOUR VOICE BE MADE KNOWN TODAY!                                                                                                  (All social or media outlets will be managed by the Christon Family)                    https://www.facebook.com/thechristonfamily/   Please donate to Joshua's GoFundMe Page. The income is for attorney fees to file a Post Conviction Relief https://www.gofundme.com/joshua-christon-justice-campaign?pc=fm_co_campmgmt_m&rcid=r01-160332131225-0a6daeed338a4888&utm_medium=social&utm_source=messenger&utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet                                                                                    No oneshould have to be wrongfully incarcerated and spend years fighting to have their voice made known.  There is no reason why every citizens American should not be treated with equality that lack finances and resource to be handed down impartial judgments. Rap Music or music that people listen to or create should not be used against them due to bias agendas to convict in court. If, we fail to stand for our rights like our First Amendment Rights. We are giving up our voice to have any say so in our American democracy. “Injustice Anywhere Is a Threat to Justice Everywhere” Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.” President John Quincy Adams Ask you signed this petition, please re-forward it to your contact list: family, friends, and associates. Also, the platform will re-forward it to more organizations by your donations if you are able to make the voluntary donations of a minimal of $2.00. Your support by sharing this petition on your social media outlets or word of mouth is greatly appreciated. We are truly grateful for YOUR VOICE and we will stand together as ONE VOICE for the Justice of Joshua Christon which is long overdue! Thank you. Justice 4 Joshua Christon #AVoiceofthevoicless    

In 2013, Déjah Welsh was a sophomore at UWM. Like many students, she was facing mental health struggles. One afternoon during a mental health crisis, she returned to her friend’s dorm without checking into the front desk properly. Multiple UWM police officers, several without badges, were called on her and attacked her even though it was clear she was in crisis. They nearly suffocated her to death. When she said she couldn’t breathe and didn’t want to end up like Derek Williams, a Milwaukee man who suffocated to death in the back of a MPD squad car in 2011, they finally stopped and put her in a mental health facility. Even though this was extremely traumatic, Welsh wanted to continue at UWM. When she tried to enroll for classes, UWM gave her the run around, essentially barring her from returning as a student. Today, Welsh is trying to re-enroll at another school, but UWM has not released her transcripts. To this day, UWM has not in any form acknowledged what happened, and now they are keeping Welsh out of education altogether. Unfortunately, this is not a unique experience for Black students at UWM. In public, UWM claims that they value all students, and that they are doing all they can to protect diversity on campus. Behind closed doors, they choke Black students and then kick them off campus. That’s not right! We stand with Déjah Welsh! We demand: UWM administration and UWM PD publicly apologize to Déjah UWM release her transcripts to her UWM forgive her student loans from her year at UWM UWM provide a scholarship or grant to help her return to school

In 1730, a 6 year old child was captured in Guinea, taken from his parents and brought to New England by ship amongst excrement and filth, causing him to acquire a chronic bacterial disease called Yaws. He would suffer through the pain of walnut-sized sores and disfigurement for the rest of his life. He was assigned the name Prince. In the late 1750's, Prince was purchased by Phillip Mortimer, a wealthy Irishman starting a rope making business. Prince became a skilled Spinner. In 1780, the Revolutionary War not going well, Congress put out a plea for men. Phillip Mortimer sent Prince, now age 56. Prince said he was servant to officers including George Washington.  Many slaves were promised freedom on return, but Prince remained enslaved by Phillip Mortimer on his return. In 1794, Phillip Mortimer died; his will granting Prince (now 70) his freedom. But his son-in-law George Starr contested the will and won. After 64 years in bondage and two reneged promises of freedom, Prince remained enslaved, now servant to George Starr. In 1811, at age 87, Prince was sentenced to life in prison, accused of placing arsenic in George Starr's morning chocolate.  He would spend the first 16 years at Connecticut's Newgate prison (considered the worst in America).  In 1827, at age 103, he was transported 20 miles to the Wethersfield prison, where he would die 7 years later at age 110.  He was buried in the prison cemetery.  Wethersfield prison is now the location of Wethersfield's Cove Park; all that remains is a small plaque in far right field of a softball diamond denoting the location of the prison's cemetery, where Prince lies today. A mile away is Wethersfield cemetery; revolutionary war vets still honored. In Middletown, George Starr has an impressive, clean headstone, also still honored. As I expected, little documentation of Prince Mortimer's life and Revolutionary War service exists.  All that exists are the writings of Richard Phelps in his 1844 book, "Newgate of Connecticut: Its Origin and Early History", and Denis Caron's 2006 book, "A Century in Captivity", where Mr. Caron attempts to expand upon Prince Mortimer's life.    According to "Defenders of Liberty", a book by Lt. Col. Michael Lee Lanning, most black noncombatants of the Revolutionary war received neither wages nor freedom for their support of the Revolution.  Owners took their pay as well as returning them to slavery upon completion; little recognized or rewarded for their service.  Thus, all that exists is Prince Mortimer's life as described by himself in Richard Phelps 1844 book, along with an attempt to expand upon it by Denis Caron in 2006.  Because political paths towards celebrating service require historical documentation from a government that allowed Prince Mortimer to be taken from his parents, infected with Yaws on a slave ship, enslaved for 81 years, promised then rescinded freedom, then incarcerated for 23 years, he has never received any acknowledgement nor recognition that his life mattered. I am petitioning for this to finally end.  I am petitioning for us as a nation to recognize our own lack of morality in Prince Mortimer's enslavement and the lack of equity in not documenting the service of non-combatant slaves of the American Revolution; thus I'm petitioning that we accept and honor the service account of a slave, Prince Mortimer.