Shortly after I started at the New England Innocence Project six years ago, I had the chance to watch our client, Gary Cifizzari, take his first steps in freedom after being wrongfully incarcerated for 35 years.
It was bittersweet to bear witness to this joyful moment that came as a result of years of legal work, amidst the devastating reality that Gary, like so many in our community, lost decades of his life wrongfully imprisoned and was released without restitution, support, or accountability from the state that wrongfully convicted him.
For more than 20 years, the New England Innocence Project has been fighting for freedom for people like Gary, who have been wrongfully convicted, while growing the movement for justice.
The importance of this work has never been more clear than in this moment in history. No matter what resistance we face, we will continue to fight to dismantle the systems that oppress us and work with our community, including Movement Makers like you, to make freedom possible and create a more just world.
As part of our 20th-anniversary celebration, I am honored to share our new video, "Making Freedom Possible," about the impact your support can have on our life-changing work to end wrongful convictions and support exonerees as they rebuild.
Will you take a moment to watch our “Making Freedom Possible” video and join our movement by making a matching gift today? As Exoneree Dennis Maher shares with us, “the reward of releasing [even] one person is felt for a lifetime.”
In peace and solidarity,
Jordan Salvatoriello
Senior Director of Communications
New England Innocence Project
P.S. Don’t forget to help spread the word about our work to end wrongful convictions by liking and sharing this video on Facebook and Instagram.