OFFICIAL STATEMENT
Desmond Meade, president of FRRC, issues statement challenging the use of the word “felon” during the 2024 presidential election
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
FRRC Gives Thanks to the American Friends Service Committee and Quakers in Britain
for 2023 Nobel Peace Prize Nomination
ORLANDO, FL — May 13, 2024 — “The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Narges Mohammadi for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all. We are honored to have been nominated amongst the many inspiring leaders and organizations dedicating their life’s work to ensuring the rights and equality of all people.
Our nomination is a testament that justice-impacted people can become contributing members of society when given a second chance. The nomination also inspires us to continue to lean forward in our commitment to end the disenfranchisement and discrimination against people with convictions.”
– Desmond Meade, Executive Director, FRRC
– Neil Volz, Deputy Director, FRRC
ORLANDO, FL — July 23, 2024 — “Nearly 20 million American citizens have a felony conviction, and 1 in 3 people across our country have some sort of record. Labeling people as “felons” or using the word as a badge of honor for political purposes is a slap in the face to the millions of impacted individuals and families. It also represents a step backward in efforts to move our country forward by embracing our shared values of forgiveness, redemption and restoration.
Both campaigns have an opportunity to engage in a serious, statesman-like debate on issues. To resort to playground antics of name calling or reducing the election of the President of the United States to being a contest between a Prosecutor and a “F-word” is robbing this country of the serious dialogue it deserves. It also distracts from the greater question of what candidates can offer this country while working to unite and heal us.
“While I have referenced political candidates and campaigns, this message applies to members of the media as well. It is imperative that we are all mindful of the language we use and the damage it may carry.
America deserves better.”
– Desmond Meade, Executive Director, FRRC
FRRC is a grassroots, membership organization run primarily by Returning Citizens (Formerly Convicted Persons) who are dedicated to ending the disenfranchisement and discrimination against people with convictions and creating a more comprehensive and humane reentry system that will enhance successful reentry, reduce recidivism, and increase public safety.
For interview requests or further information contact kinyatta@floridarrc.org, or at the phone number, 407-664-6451.
About the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition
FRRC is a grassroots, membership organization run primarily by Returning Citizens (Formerly Convicted Persons) who are dedicated to ending the disenfranchisement and discrimination against people with convictions and creating a more comprehensive and humane reentry system that will enhance successful reentry, reduce recidivism, and increase public safety.
For interview requests or further information contact press@floridarrc.org.