Last fall, HEARD advocates flew to the midwest to advocate for a Black deafdisabled person, Mr. O*, who was wrongfully convicted as a teenager and has been incarcerated for over 30 years. We are thrilled to announce that he will be coming home this month!
We connected with this elder 5 years ago when he reached out to HEARD to share about discrimination and abuse deaf people like him were facing in prison. After building a stronger relationship through videophone calls, HEARD advocates quickly identified issues in his case that matched what HEARD has seen in cases involving other wrongfully convicted deaf people. Our team collaborated with this incarcerated elder, local attorneys, and family members to advocate for his freedom.
Mr. O’s message to the community: “Thank you. I would like to see my friends. Grateful for you. Nice to meet you. Thank you. That’s all”
We asked him how donations from the community will help him when he comes home, he told us the money will help him purchase, “food, housing, sodas, & everything!”
We are looking forward to his release next week and welcoming him warmly back into our community. HEARD will be an active part of his support system during his journey home. We know this transition ill be challenging after more than 30 years inside, but we believe in the power of our community to come together to support Mr. O’s healing.
We are calling on you to support as we fundraise to cover the costs of basic necessities during his first months home. All money raised from this fundraiser will go directly to Mr. O to support his transition home: groceries, clothing, rent, medication, transportation, technology, and more.
Please donate and share this fundraiser with people in your community. Please do not share on social media at this time.
Thank you for supporting Mr. O in this next chapter of his life.
* Out of respect for his autonomy and privacy, we are not sharing this elder’s name at this time. HEARD is using “Mr. O” as a placeholder.
