PRESS MATERIALS

Official Statements,

Op-Eds, Press Releases

& Media Advisories

Committed to ending the disenfranchisement and discrimination against people with convictions.

FRRC

PRESS
MATERIALS

FRRC

PRESS
MATERIALS

Official Press Updates from FRRC

Read the latest FRRC opinion editorials and official letters from the Executive Director. Stay up to date on the most recent press releases, media advisories and official statements from our Communications Department. 

Official Press Updates from FRRC

Read the latest FRRC opinion editorials and official letters from the Executive Director. Stay up to date on the most recent press releases, media advisories and official statements from our Communications Department. 

Official Press Updates from FRRC

Read the latest FRRC opinion editorials and official letters from the Executive Director. Stay up to date on the most recent press releases, media advisories and official statements from our Communications Department. 

PRESS RELEASE — Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC) Reacts to Proposed Advisory Opinion Form and Process for Florida’s Returning Citizens:

Move is a “step forward” — August 22, 2024

OFFICIAL STATEMENT — Desmond Meade, Executive Director Of The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, Released The Following Statement Challenging The Use Of The Word “Felon” During The 2024 Presidential Election — July 23, 2024

OFFICIAL STATEMENT — Florida Rights Restoration Coalition Issues Statement Responding To Governor DeSantis Vetoing HB 133, Which Make It So People Cannot Be Denied Licensure For Barbering Or Cosmetology Due To An Adjudication More Than 3 Years Old. — June 27, 2024

OFFICIAL STATEMENT — Florida Rights Restoration Coalition Issues Statement Responding To Governor DeSantis Vetoing SB 62, Which Clarified That A Person Does Not Lose Their State Residency For Higher Education Tuition Because They Become Incarcerated. — June 25, 2024

OFFICIAL STATEMENT — Florida Rights Restoration Coalition Issues Concerning Trump’s Guilty Verdict — May 30, 2024

OFFICIAL STATEMENT — Florida Rights Restoration Coalition Issues Concerning Today’s Court Filing Involving Organization’s Election Integrity Litigation and Government Rulemaking — May 13, 2024

PRESS RELEASE — Florida Rights Restoration Coalition Commemorates 5th Anniversary w/ a special Celebration & Will be Honored by the Orlando Magic — November 2, 2023

OFFICIAL STATEMENT — FRRC Gives Thanks to the American Friends Service Committee and Quakers in Britain for 2023 Nobel Peace Prize Nomination — October 6, 2023

OFFICIAL STATEMENT — FRRC Partners With Orlando Magic Organization to Celebrate Desmond Meade Day With
Day of Service in Orange County — September 9, 2023

OFFICIAL STATEMENT — FRRC Issues a Statement in Response to the Removal of State Attorney Monique Worrell — August 10, 2023

PRESS RELEASE — Florida Rights Restoration Coalition Sues Florida Election Officials in an Effort to Fix the State’s Broken Election System — July 19, 2023

PRESS RELEASE — FRRC Executive Director Granted Honorary Doctorate Degree from Bard College — June 20, 2023

PRESS RELEASE — Election Bills impacting returning citizen voters move closer to becoming law. Similar versions of the bill are moving in both the FL House and Senate. — April 19, 2023

PRESS RELEASE — FRRC Partners with Better Together for National Day of Second Chances Job & Resource Expo on Thursday, April 20th — April 13, 2023

OFFICIAL STATEMENT – FRRC Encourages State to “Take Responsibility” for Election System – April 4, 2023

PRESS RELEASE – Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC) Nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize – February 17, 2023

PRESS RELEASE – Florida Rights Restoration Coalition Joins Google Program to Offer Digital Skills Training for People Impacted by Incarceration – November 15, 2022

OFFICIAL STATEMENT – Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC) Issues Statement on Voter Fraud Arrests Announcement by Governor DeSantis – August 19, 2022

PRESS RELEASE – Florida Rights Restoration Coalition Prepares for Annual Convening in Orlando August 26-August 28, 2022 – August 18, 2022

OPINION EDITORIAL – At Miami job fair for those once incarcerated, businesses can give hard workers a second chance – June 7, 2022

PRESS RELEASE – FRRC Partners with Miami-Dade Mayor, Employers for 305 Second Chance Job & Resource Expo This Friday in Miami – June 7, 2022

PRESS RELEASE – Florida Rights Restoration Coalition Applauds Key Florida Leaders and Legislators on Passage of “Juvenile Diversion Program Expunction Bill” to Improve Job Opportunities for Young People – May 16, 2022

PRESS RELEASE – Florida Rights Restoration Coalition Launches Election Integrity Campaign in Response to Voter Fraud Arrests in Florida – May 5, 2022

PRESS RELEASE – Florida Rights Restoration Coalition to Pay Up to $100K in Fines & Fees for Returning Citizens in Miami on Thursday – April 26, 2022

PRESS RELEASE – Florida Rights Restoration Coalition Staff Member Takes on Prestigious New Role Working with the Department of Justice – April 5, 2022

PRESS RELEASE – FRRC Leaders & Hundreds of Returning Citizens Traveled Back to State Capitol for Advocacy Day – February 23, 2022

PRESS RELEASE – Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC) Works with Key Legislators on “Jobs Bill” to Help Businesses and People with Past Convictions Find Employment – January 13, 2022

OPINION EDITORIAL – Returning Citizens Running for Office is Reason to Celebrate | Opinion – January 10, 2022

PRESS RELEASE – Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC) Working to “Help End Prison Gerrymandering in Florida.”- January 6, 2022

PRESS RELEASE – Desmond Meade Receives Prestigious 2021 MacArthur Fellowship Award – September 28, 2021

MEDIA ADVISORY – FRRC to Celebrate Desmond Meade Day with Day of Service – September 10, 2021

PRESS RELEASE – FRRC to Celebrate Desmond Meade Day with Day of Service – September 8, 2021

OFFICIAL STATEMENT – FRRC Issues Statement Expressing Disappointment In Governor’s Decision To Veto Juvenile Diversion Program Expunction Bill – June 30, 2021

PRESS RELEASE – FRRC Partners with Miami-Dade Mayor, Employers for Second-Chance Initiative – June 10, 2021

OPINION EDITORIAL – For Ex-Felons, Justice Comes in Many Small Steps | Commentary – May 7, 2021

OPINION EDITORIAL – Lift Felon Barriers so People Who Made Mistakes — People Like Me — Can Rejoin society | Commentary – May 1, 2021

PRESS RELEASE – FRRC Joins Effort to Stop Voter Suppression in Florida – April 12, 2021

MEDIA ADVISORY – FRRC “Free the Vote” Bus Tour Stops in Orange County in Honor of Second Chance Month – April 8, 2021

PRESS RELEASE – FRRC’s Second Chance Month Bus Tour Kicks Off in Duval County – March 31, 2021

OFFICIAL STATEMENT – FRRC Executive Director Meade Issues Statement On Governor’s Clemency Reforms – March 10, 2021

MEDIA ADVISORY– Florida Rights Restoration Coalition To Discuss Important Potential Clemency Changes During Press Conference and Advocacy Day at Florida State Capitol; Executive Director Desmond Meade Scheduled for Second Hearing on Possible Pardon – March 9, 2021

OPINION EDITORIAL – Voting-Rights Fight Continues 56 Years After Bloody Sunday | Commentary – March 7, 2021

PRESS RELEASE – LaQuan Smith Combines Fashion and Activism to Support Florida Rights Restoration Coalition – February 23, 2021

OPINION EDITORIAL – Minimum-Wage Exception Bill Another Blow For Ex-Felons | Commentary – February 9, 2021

OFFICIAL STATEMENT – FRRC Executive Director Meade Issues Statement in Support of President Biden’s Announcement to End Department of Justice Reliance on Private Prisons – January 26, 2021

PRESS RELEASE – Florida Rights Restoration Coalition Urges Governor DeSantis to Prioritize Access to Vaccines Within the Criminal Justice System – January 22, 2021

LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR – Desmond Meade Writes Governor DeSantis Urging Him to Prioritize Access to Vaccines Within the Criminal Justice System – January 22, 2021

MEDIA ADVISORY – Join Florida Rights Restoration Coalition and the Indian River and Seminole County Supervisor of Elections, and the Indian River Sheriff to Grant an Honorary Posthumous Vote Certificate to the Late Barbara Haynes – January 21, 2021

PRESS RELEASE – Statement on Explosive, Disturbing DOJ Report about Lowell Facility in Florida – December 23, 2020

PRESS RELEASE – FRRC Celebrates Holiday Season with $327,000 Payment of Fines and Fees for Florida Returning Citizens – December 22, 2020

PRESS RELEASE – Voting Rights Activist Desmond Meade Recipient of 2020 Puffin Prize for Creative Citizenship – December 16, 2020

MEDIA ADVISORY – Join Florida Rights Restoration Coalition to Celebrate #FreeTheVote  – November 3, 2020

PRESS RELEASE – The Levi’s​®​ Brand and LaQuan Smith Join Forces in Fashion and Activism to Support Florida Rights Restoration Coalition – October 30, 2020

PRESS RELEASE – NAACP and FRRC Join Forces to bring Early Vote Bus Tour to Miami’s ​Souls to the Polls​ Event – October 30, 2020

MEDIA ADVISORY – Voting Rights Bus Tour Arrives in Palmetto, Bradenton and Sarasota to Urge Citizens to #FreeTheVote – October 30, 2020

MEDIA ADVISORY – Voting Rights Bus Tour arrives in Ocala to Urge Citizens to #FreeTheVote – October 28, 2020

MEDIA ADVISORY – Voting Rights Bus Tour arrives in Gainesville to Urge Citizens to #FreeTheVote – October 27, 2020

PRESS RELEASE – Common and YelloPain to Headline FRRC’s March and Rally to Free the Vote in Orlando, Florida – October 22, 2020

PRESS RELEASE – Florida Rights Restoration Coalition Organizes Largest Ever State-Wide Early Vote March to the Polls – October 21, 2020

PRESS RELEASE – In Miami, FRRC Rallies Returning Citizens to Polls on First Day of Early Voting – October 19, 2020

PRESS ADVISORY – In Miami, FRRC Rallies Returning Citizens to Polls on First Day of Early Voting – October 19, 2020

PRESS RELEASE – Voting Rights Bus Tour Visits Polk County – October 16, 2020

PRESS RELEASE – Voting Rights Bus Tour Makes its Way to Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties – October 15, 2020

PRESS RELEASE – Voting Rights Bus Tour Makes its way to Escambia, Bay Counties – October 13, 2020

PRESS ADVISORY – FRRC to Hand Out 1,000,000 Masks at Polling Locations – October 6, 2020

FRRC VOTING EXTENSION LETTER – Desmond Meade Pens Letter to Governor Ron DeSantis and Secretary of State Laurel Lee – October 6, 2020

MEDIA ADVISORY – FRRC Takes “Amendment 4 Bus” to Miami-Dade County – October 2, 2020

MEDIA ADVISORY – FRRC Takes “Amendment 4 Bus” to Brevard County – September 30, 2020

PRESS RELEASE – Statement by Desmond Meade, Florida Rights Restoration Coalition Executive Director: FRRC’s Mission Remains Centered on Providing Access to Democracy for All Returning Citizens – September 24, 2020

PRESS RELEASE – A Dream Further Deferred, but a Mission Undeterred: FRRC Executive Director Vows to Free the Vote for All Returning Citizens After Governor Defers His Clemency Appeal – September 23, 2020

MEDIA ADVISORY – FRRC Leaders Desmond Meade and Neil Volz up for Clemency, Discuss Hearing Decision & More at Press Conference – September 23, 2020

OFFICIAL STATEMENT – FRRC Executive Director Desmond Meade Issues Donor Thanks Outreach Statement – September 23, 2020

PRESS RELEASE – FRRC Surges Past $20M Raised to Pay Fines and Fees for Returning Citizens to Make Sure They Are Eligible for Voter Registration – September 22, 2020

MEDIA ADVISORY – FRRC Announces Voteteenth: It’s Time to Free the Vote – September 18, 2020

PRESS RELEASE – FRRC Announces Voteteenth: It’s Time to Free the Vote – September 18, 2020

PRESS RELEASE – In Light of 11th Circuit Ruling, Florida Rights Restoration Coalition Vows to Pay the Fines & Fees of Returning Citizens – September 11, 2020

PRESS RELEASE – Local Leaders Announce 1st Annual Day of Service, Voting Awareness: “Desmond Meade Day” – September 8, 2020

MEDIA ADVISORY – FRRC Hosts ‘Day of Action’ and ‘Souls to the Polls’ Events Ahead of Florida Primary Election – August 14, 2020

PRESS RELEASE – Florida Rights Restoration Coalition Takes Action Against COVID-19 Crisis in Jails and Prisons – August 14, 2020

PRESS RELEASE – Florida Rights Restoration Coalition to Announce $2 Million Paid to Returning Citizens in Fines and Fees – August 7, 2020

PRESS RELEASE – Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand Donate $1 million to Combat Disenfranchisement of People with Felony Convictions – July 29, 2020

PRESS RELEASE – FRRC Awarded Grant for Voter Mobilization – July 28, 2020

PRESS RELEASE – More Than A Vote and Florida Rights Restoration Coalition Announce Partnership To Combat Disenfranchisement in Florida – July 24, 2020

OFFICIAL STATEMENT – Amendment 4 Leader Desmond Meade Releases Statement on Supreme Court Decision to Temporarily Block Florida Returning Citizens from Voting – July 16, 2020

PRESS RELEASE – Art for Justice Fund Announces FRRC as Spring 2020 Grantee Cohort – July 10, 2020

PRESS RELEASE – FRRC Takes “Ride for Racial Justice” on the Road, Encourages Voter Participation – July 9, 2020

PRESS RELEASE – Tampa Bay Reentry Organizations Unite in Support of Returning Citizens and on Voter Registration Efforts – June 30, 2020

PRESS RELEASE – Omar Epps and Desmond Meade Demand Prison Reform and Call Out The Corruption That Has Made Incarceration a For-Profit Game – June 16, 2020

PRESS RELEASE – FRRC/CFC Motorcycle Council to host ‘Ride for Racial Justice’ in Response to Police Brutality This Saturday – June 9, 2020

OFFICIAL STATEMENT – Amendment 4 Leader Desmond Meade Issues Statement on Florida Governor’s Plan to Appeal Recent Court Ruling – May 27, 2020

PRESS RELEASE – FRRC Celebrates Historic Win for FL Returning Citizens with U.S. District Court Ruling – May 24, 2020

PRESS RELEASE – FRRC Leader Sheena Meade Named National Managing Director of ‘Clean Slate’ Initiative – May 19, 2020

PRESS RELEASE – FRRC Leaders to Donate Protective Masks to Broward County, Highlands County Jails – May 5, 2020

PRESS RELEASE – FRRC, FRACEEV to Hold Press Conference to Outline Prison/ Jail Mask Distribution Plan – April 29, 2020

ANNOUNCEMENT – FRRC, FreeAmerica Win Fast Company 2020 World Changing Ideas Award – April 28, 2020

PRESS RELEASE – FRRC Partners with Flikshop to Provide Free Postcards to Inmates Isolated from Family Due to COVID-19 Pandemic – April 28, 2020

MEDIA ADVISORY – FRRC Partners with Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill to Distribute 3,000 Masks to Residents in Need  – April 20, 2020

LETTER TO THE SBA – Desmond Meade Pens Letter to US Small Business Administration Challenging Denial of Emergency Stimulus Funds to Business, Nonprofit Owners with Felony Convictions  – April 10, 2020

PRESS RELEASE – FRRC Donates 25 Tablets to Local Nursing Homes to Benefit Residents Quarantined Due to COVID-19 Pandemic – April 9, 2020

  OFFICIAL STATEMENT – Desmond Meade Issues Statement on Class Certification Given to Upcoming Fines and Fees Case – April 7, 2020

  OFFICIAL STATEMENT – Florida Returning Citizen Leaders Sound Alarm about COVID-19 Spread in Florida’s Prisons – March 30, 2020

  LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR – Desmond Meade Writes  Governor Ron DeSantis to Advocate for COVID-19 Prevention Inside Florida’s Prisons and Detention Facilities – March 16, 2020

  OFFICIAL STATEMENT – Amendment 4 Author Desmond Meade Issues Statement in Response to 11th Circuit Court Ruling- Feb. 19, 2020

PRESS RELEASE – Florida’s Returning Citizen Leaders File Amicus Brief With Court to Ensure Full Protection of Amendment 4 – Sept. 27, 2019

ONE-PAGER – Florida Rights Restoration Coalition Joins Amendment 4 Court Case – Sept. 27, 2019

FULL AMICUS BRIEF – Filed with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida – Sept. 27, 2019