[Pnews] An Open Letter to CA Governor asking for the release of Romaine 'Chip' Fitzgerald

[Prisoner News]

            AN OPEN LETTER TO GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM

By Michelle Alexander and Danny Glover

We are writing in support of Mr. Romaine Fitzgerald’s (B-27527) petition 
for release. He is now 70 years old and has been incarcerated for over 
50 years.  He has demonstrated deep remorse for his actions and is no 
longer the person that he was a half a century ago. In the interest of 
justice, I entreat you to grant his release.

I am fully aware of the serious nature of Romaine’s offenses, committed 
in 1969 when he was still a teenager. As a result of important medical 
advances, the world knows far more today about the functioning of the 
teenage brain than it did fifty years ago. Numerous studies have proven 
that the teenage brain is not mature, is prone to unreasonable 
risk-taking and lacks the ability to engage in substantive forethought. 
These facts are borne out by the disproportionate number of young people 
who comprise the bulk of the world’s jail and prison populations.

It is also important to acknowledge the reality of our nation’s history. 
The 1960s represent one of the most tumultuous eras of our national 
development. Most observers would agree that the racial progress that 
resulted from that decade’s upheavals represent welcome additions to our 
vibrant democracy. It is unfortunate, indeed lamentable, that some young 
people who sought to contribute to positive social change engaged in 
activities that we all agree were both unwise and harmful. While Romaine 
can be counted among these well-meaning but misguided youths, nothing is 
gained by keeping him locked in a cage as an elderly man.

Scores of other prisoners convicted of the same offense as Romaine 
during the same period (circa 1969) have since been paroled. There is no 
logical, justifiable, or legal reason to continue to incarcerate 
Romaine, an elderly stroke victim who often requires the use of a 
wheelchair. I implore you to do justice in this case by granting 
Romaine’s release.

Michelle Alexander

Danny Glover

_____________________________________

*Sign the Petition HERE! 
<https://www.change.org/p/california-free-chip-fitzgerald>
*

*For More Information about Chip* <https://www.freedom4chip.org/>

-- 
Freedom Archives 522 Valencia Street San Francisco, CA 94110 415 
863.9977 https://freedomarchives.org/
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