BEFORE HER PRIMETIME ADDRESS AT THE RNC, ALICE MARIE JOHNSON SAT DOWN WITH ARI FLEISCHER FOR FIRESIDE CHAT IN LIVE VIRTUAL EVENT

JOHNSON: “I HOPE THAT PEOPLE WILL SEE WHAT REDEMPTION LOOKS LIKE.” 

EVENT ALSO FEATURED DISCUSSION ON JUSTICE REFORM IN BATTLEGROUND OHIO

REP. GEORGE LANG: “IT’S THE RIGHT BILL, THE TIME IS RIGHT, THE SPEAKER IS GOING TO BE RECEPTIVE, AND I’M CONFIDENT WE’LL GET IT DONE.” 

DISCUSSION HOSTED BY JUSTICE ACTION NETWORK, ALLIANCE FOR SAFETY AND JUSTICE, AND AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY PUTS CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM AGENDA FRONT AND CENTER AS 2020 ELECTION KICKS INTO HIGH GEAR

(Washington, DC) – In Episode 2 of Justice Action Network’s Unconventional series, Alice Marie Johnson, a national criminal justice reform advocate who served 21 years of a life sentence for a nonviolent drug conviction before she was granted clemency by President Trump, joined former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer for a fireside chat to share her story of redemption, and what her prime time speaking role at the RNC means for the criminal justice movement. 

“When they called my name over the intercom, a deafening shout went up over the entire prison,” Alice Marie Johnson told interviewer Ari Fleischer. “They were begging me, please don’t forget about us, and I promised the women that day that I would never forget about them, I would never stop fighting for them, and I haven’t. I’ve been living this since I came home. For these next two days, I’m in wonderment that I have a big opportunity to address the country, and I hope that people will see what redemption looks like.” 

Ms. Johnson’s fireside chat was preceded by a panel discussion on criminal justice reform efforts in battleground Ohio, where the legislature is considering two of the most groundbreaking legislative proposals in the country. Mark Holden of Americans for Prosperity moderated the panel with key Ohio lawmakers: Sen. John Eklund and Rep. George Lang. 

“The threat of dire consequences such as a felony conviction isn’t going to deter anyone and, more importantly, while I think the label of a felony has very little to do with what people do or don’t do on the front end of their affliction, it has a big, big part in what happens if and when they’re able to rectify their situation and find some kind of redemption,” said Senator John Eklund. 

“It’s one of the few things going on in Columbus that Democrats and Republicans are fully embracing. … It’s the right bill, the time is right, the speaker is going to be receptive to it, and I’m confident we’ll get this done this GA,” said Representative George Lang.  

Holly Harris of Justice Action Network hosted the event, which included commentary from Micah Derry of Americans for Prosperity-Ohio, and Shakyra Diaz of Alliance for Safety and Justice. The group shared Ohio polling data that showed overwhelming support from Ohio voters of all political backgrounds for the reform policies being considered by the legislature.

“We launched the Unconventional Series to show that criminal justice reform is sound policy and smart politics. Today’s RNC edition proved the point,” said Justice Action Network Executive Director Holly Harris. “Whether it’s Alice Marie Johnson’s groundbreaking appearance during prime time at the RNC, or the commitments from lawmakers in battleground Ohio to move the country’s most significant criminal justice reform proposals, the movement continues to grow. As noted during today’s event, this is ‘a coalition that goes from Snoop Dogg to Donald Trump. There isn’t another issue that spans so broadly.’” 

This virtual event was part of Justice Action Network’s new Unconventional series, which shines a weekly spotlight on criminal justice reform and the role the issue is playing in this campaign season. Every week from now until the election, JAN – the largest bipartisan organization in the country advocating for criminal justice reform on the state and federal level – will feature the leading voices in policy and politics working to transform our justice system.