gradientlair:Marissa Alexander. Never forget that she was in a domestically violent relationship w
gradientlair: Marissa Alexander. Never forget that she was in a domestically violent relationship with a man that admitted (in an affidavit) to abusing all of his babies’ moms. Never forget that there was an existing restraining order against him. Never forget that he beat her while she was pregnant. Never forget that she had given birth only a few days before all of this. Never forget that she fired the warning shot into the ceiling, not injuring nor killing anyone. Never forget that the so-called “plea" offered to her included 3 years of jail and losing custody of her child. Never forget that despite having a concealed weapon’s license and knowing how to use the gun, following all laws, and trying to protect herself from a repeatedly abusive man, she still was sentenced to twenty years in prison. Self-defense doesn’t apply to cis heterosexual Black women like Marissa Alexander fighting off domestically violent men. Self defense doesn’t apply to Black trans women like Cece McDonald when fighting off strangers. People we once loved or complete strangers have no obligation to consider our lives valuable and we have no legal claim to protect said life. This is the reality of White supremacist capitalist patriarchy and its outgrowth pustule that is the criminal justice system and prison industrial complex. Black women are the fastest growing group of incarcerated people. Many of them are there for charges related to men and self-defense, related to poverty or to both. In Marissa’s case, she had a Master’s degree. Why does this matter? Because the myth that respectability politics/class/income can save or protect us is at hand, again. It cannot protect us. To stay up to date on her case: Justice For Marissa blog Free Marissa Now Tumblr blog Justice For Marissa Alexander Facebook page 4 Lies, Distortions and Inaccuracies made in the Marissa Alexander case (good article) Existing petitions: Change.org Whitehouse.gov Her counsel: Bruce A. Zimmet, Esq., One Financial Plaza, Suite 2612, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 33394 Florida’s laws: Stand Your Ground (statue 776.013) 10/20/Life Minimum sentencing (statue 775.087) To write her a letter of love and support: Marissa Alexander #2012033887 500 East Adam St. Jacksonville, FL 32202 Please visit this page for details/instructions on how to send her a letter or card, as with the punishment industry, there are restrictions and specifications. Let’s continue to fight for her and support her and her children. <3 -- source link