For Immediate Release: December 12, 2024
Contact: media@colorofchange.org
COLOR OF CHANGE REACTS TO PRESIDENT BIDEN’S RECORD-BREAKING CLEMENCY ANNOUNCEMENT
NATIONAL – In a sweeping act of mercy, President Biden announced today that he will grant clemency to more than 1,500 individuals, which is the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history. Over 95% of those granted clemency have been serving their sentences from home due to the CARES Act, which allowed for home confinement because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Granting clemency to these 1,500 individuals is a logical step, as those selected were convicted of non-violent offenses, were elderly, or had underlying health conditions that made them eligible to be released from federal prison. By granting clemency, President Biden is restoring dignity and opportunity to those who have served their time and are already home with their families and members of our communities.
Portia Allen-Kyle, Managing Director of Color Of Change, issued the following statement:
“This was a historic move by the Biden-Harris Administration that will set the precedent for future expectations of clemency, but in its remaining days, more can be done. We are hopeful that this is just the beginning of a larger effort to free individuals from incarceration and the lifelong stigma of a criminal record. With a month left, President Biden must significantly expand the list of those receiving clemency and other forms of relief, including those sitting on death row and those serving time for drug charges. We applaud the Biden-Harris Administration while acknowledging the fact that 1,500 people is not enough.”
Color Of Change is open to comment on this matter.
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ABOUT COLOR OF CHANGE:
Color Of Change is the nation’s largest online racial justice organization. We help people respond effectively to injustice in the world around us. As a national online force driven by millions of members, we move decision-makers in corporations and governments to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America. Visit www.colorofchange.org