Marlon Chamberlain (Leading with Conviction™ 2019) writes in the Chicago Tribune:
“As a local organizer and advocate, I spend most of my days in official municipal or state-level meetings and hearings about issues affecting our communities. Often, I become frustrated because even though I am seen as a respected community leader, I am not able to officially represent and advocate for my community. My ineligibility to run for public office is one way I continue to be punished for past mistakes.
The blanket exclusion of individuals with felony convictions from running for local office perpetuates a cycle of marginalization …
“I walked out of federal prison 12 years ago, determined to overcome challenges, rebuild my life and make a positive impact in my community. However, I have faced significant barriers that have prevented me from fully participating in our democratic process. Strong stigmas and limitations are imposed on individuals with felony convictions who seek to run for local public office. Despite how I have paid my dues, worked tirelessly to rehabilitate myself and made valuable contributions to my local community, my past continues to define my eligibility to serve my community in a meaningful way, and it is disheartening.
“And it’s not just me. There are approximately 3 million individuals living in Illinois with criminal records. That is nearly one-third of the Illinois population. The blanket exclusion of individuals with felony convictions from running for local office perpetuates a cycle of marginalization, disenfranchisement and exclusion, especially among people of color, that undermines the principles of fairness and justice.
“My experience, along with many others’, led me to establish the Illinois Coalition to End Permanent Punishments. We advocate for policies that abolish permanent punishment laws, envisioning a world in which arrest or conviction records no longer haunt individuals. We believe in supporting everyone’s journey to full freedom, shifting focus from lifelong punishment to pathways toward complete liberation.”
In our 10th anniversary year, JustLeadershipUSA’s work of educating, elevating, and empowering justice-impacted leaders continues and is growing even stronger!
We are preparing for our very special 10th anniversary gala in New York City on October 21st, and we would love for you to be there with us.
This is going to be a very special time to look back on the past decade of JLUSA’s important work, the 1,600+ leaders we have helped get to the next level in their work, and even more importantly, we will look ahead to the next 10 years and beyond!
We can’t do this without you. We need your support to help us continue to do this work now and into the future. By purchasing a $50 streaming ticket, you are saying to the amazing leaders in our network who represent the 70+ million Americans who have been directly impacted by the criminal legal system, “I see you, and I support you!”
Please plan now to join us in person or give a one-time $100 gift or set up a recurring $10 monthly donation to celebrate JLUSA’s 10th anniversary year, and together we will build a fair and just U.S. Thank you!
Mail that includes checks only:
JUSTLEADERSHIPUSA, INC
P.O. Box 23681
New York, NY 10087-3681
All other mail:
P.O. Box 1730, New York, NY 10037
347.454.2195
© 2024 JustLeadershipUSA. All Rights Reserved.
JustLeadershipUSA is a non-partisan organization. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed belong solely to the individual author or speaker, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the organization.