Amidst the clamor of voices seeking justice and reform, Michael Thompson, once imprisoned for a non-violent marijuana offense, stood in solidarity with dozens of Michiganders on the steps of the state Capitol this Saturday, advocating for widespread clemency.
The rally, orchestrated by the Michael Thompson Clemency Project, garnered the support of activists, legal experts, and public figures, converging to echo a united message: the call for Governor Gretchen Whitmer to revisit and reduce prison sentences, particularly for senior inmates, individuals with marijuana-related convictions, and those enduring chronic illnesses, among others.
Voices of elected officials rippled through the crowd, as attendees, energized by complimentary Ben and Jerry's ice cream, lent their ears to speeches that oscillated between compelling narratives and urgent calls to action. Justice Richard Bernstein, Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savet, and U.S. Senate candidate Hill Harper were among those who illuminated the rally with their words.
While articulating his experience in working with returning citizens, Justice Bernstein emphasized, "When you work with a person as courageous [as Thompson], as noble as him? ... You see people who don't leave people behind." He underscored the sheer resilience and purpose exuded by individuals like Thompson, who are dedicatedly paving the path toward making societal shifts and advocating for change.
Expressing the significance of adapting to the evolving perspectives on past laws, Prosecutor Savet underscored the importance of recognizing that "societal attitudes have changed" and that "individual people have, indeed, changed and are safe to be released from prison." With a track record of vacating wrongful convictions and championing expungement-related activities, Savet's office mirrors a progressive stance toward recalibrating judicial judgements.
Hill Harper, a Democratic hopeful for the U.S. Senate, expressed vehement criticism of the extant criminal justice system, labeling it as "broken." He emphasized, "It is a moral travesty of what is happening with our mass incarceration system." Harper further distilled the solution into a simple, yet profound essence: love, support, and the recognition of our shared humanity.
Meanwhile, Thompson, casting light on the forgotten populace within prison walls, asserted, "I'm trying to make some noise for those that can't speak for themselves." He elucidated the intrinsic fight within him to echo the voices of those silenced by their circumstances, revealing a relentless spirit that seeks justice not just for himself, but for the countless others confined by the vestiges of past laws.
In a state where the legality of marijuana has shifted dramatically since 2018, the rally stands as a testament to an ongoing struggle for reconciling past convictions with current legislations and societal norms. Through collective voices, tangible actions, and persistent efforts, the gathering at the Michigan Capitol heralds a clarion call, seeking to resound through the corridors of legislative powers and facilitate a transformative change in the judicial approach towards past marijuana-related convictions.
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