Wrongful Conviction Day is a day to raise awareness about the causes and remedies of wrongful conviction and to recognize the tremendous personal, social, and emotional costs for directly impacted people and their families. It began in 2013 as an initiative of the Innocence Network, a coalition of 68 organizations around the world, including the Montana Innocence Project. The Network is dedicated to providing pro-bono legal and investigative services to individuals seeking to prove their innocence of crimes for which they have been convicted, working to redress the causes of wrongful convictions, and supporting the exonerated after they are freed.
This year, the Montana Innocence Project will recognize Wrongful Conviction Day with three events happening on Friday, October 1. You can also participate in Wrongful Conviction Day by completing our call to action or making a gift to support our work. We hope you will join us in the Eight International Wrongful Conviction Day!
The Fight Continues for Katie Garding
A conversation about fighting for exoneration with MTIP Legal Director Caiti Carpenter and MTIP client Katie Garding
When: October 1, noon – 1 p.m. Mountain Time
Where: Zoom
Meeting link: https://umontana.zoom.us/j/97955036079?pwd=Q0xOVVFTN3RsaForcElLUTByN2tXdz09
Meeting ID: 979 5503 6079
Meeting password: 243533
Shining a Light on Re-Entry and Compensation
Panel about issues of re-entry and compensation, including MTIP freed client Dave Wilkes, Welcome Back Community Organizer Benny Lacayo, and Social Worker Jenea Buhler
When: October 1, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Mountain Time
Where: Zoom
Meeting link: https://umontana.zoom.us/j/99394553616?pwd=Ky81QmhWc3VZTFZORDlzajd4c3RZZz09
Meeting ID: 993 9455 3616
Meeting password: 747509
The Fight Continues for Justice and Accountability
*This event is now virtual*
Virtual rally in partnership with the Montana chapter of the Black Law Students Association featuring speakers about justice and accountability plus live entertainment. The lineup includes: an opening song provided by Shawn White Grass & Brittany Hunter; and musical performances by Rob Garding, singer/songwriter and MTIP client Katie Garding’s dad; and Missoula-based singer/songwriter, Lee Rizzo. Speakers include: Rep. Kim Abbott; Appellate Defender, Moses Okeyo; and keynote speaker Eldena Bear Don’t Walk, Regional Deputy Defender for the Office of the Public Defender Region 3.
When: October 1, 6 – 7 p.m. Mountain Time
Where: Zoom Webinar
Webinar link: https://umontana.zoom.us/j/94468467378?pwd=cWtvSlNDOWdIdzhheVlGa3hQU0oyZz09
Webinar ID: 944 6846 7378
Webinar password: 280660
Wrongful Conviction Day Call to Action: Support the Justice for Exonerees Act
Since 1989, almost 3,000 wrongful convictions have been revealed across the nation with individuals collectively losing 25,000 years serving time for crimes they did not commit. Less than half of them have received compensation or restitution for time spent wrongfully incarcerated. This year, Congresswoman Maxine Waters introduced the Justice for Exonerees Act, which increases the annual amount of compensation for exonerees at the federal level and includes an inflator to ensure increases over time consistent with the cost of living.
The Innocence Network applauds Congresswoman Waters and supports her legislation while acknowledging there is no amount of restitution that can ever make up for the unique losses from wrongful conviction. This Wrongful Conviction Day, let’s show our support for wrongfully convicted individuals and their families by calling upon Congress to improve our nation’s federal compensation framework
Sign the petition here: https://bit.ly/JusticeforExonereesAct
Click here to make a donation to the Montana Innocence Project in recognition of Wrongful Conviction Day.
Follow the Montana Innocence Project on social for more information!