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<h6 class="font_6"><font size="+1"><span class="color_32">AN OPEN
LETTER TO GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM </span></font></h6>
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<p class="font_8" style="font-size:18px; line-height:1.75em;"><span
style="font-size:18px;"><span class="color_11"><span
style="font-style:normal;"><span
style="font-family:helveticaneuew01-55roma,helveticaneuew02-55roma,helveticaneuew10-55roma,helvetica
neue,helvetica,arial,meiryo,hiragino kaku gothic pro
w3,hiragino kaku gothic pro,sans-serif;"><span
style="font-weight:300;">By Michelle Alexander and
Danny Glover </span></span></span></span></span></p>
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<p class="font_8" style="font-size:18px;"><span
style="font-size:18px;"><span class="color_11">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.</span></span></p>
<p class="font_8" style="font-size:18px;"><span
style="font-size:18px;"><span class="color_11">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.</span></span></p>
<p class="font_8" style="font-size:18px;"><span
style="font-size:18px;"><span class="color_11">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.</span></span></p>
<p class="font_8" style="font-size:18px;"><span
style="font-size:18px;"><span class="color_11">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.</span></span></p>
<p class="font_8" style="font-size:18px;"><span
style="font-size:18px;"><span class="color_11">Michelle
Alexander</span></span></p>
<p class="font_8" style="font-size:18px;"><span
style="font-size:18px;"><span class="color_11">Danny Glover</span></span></p>
<p class="font_8" style="font-size:18px;"><span
style="font-size:18px;"><span class="color_11">_____________________________________</span></span></p>
<p class="font_8" style="font-size:18px;"><span
style="font-size:18px;"><span class="color_11"><b><font
size="+2"><a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="https://www.change.org/p/california-free-chip-fitzgerald">Sign
the Petition HERE!</a><br>
</font></b></span></span></p>
<p class="font_8" style="font-size:18px;"><span
style="font-size:18px;"><span class="color_11"><a
moz-do-not-send="true"
href="https://www.freedom4chip.org/"><b><font size="+2">For
More Information about Chip</font></b></a><br>
</span></span></p>
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<div class="moz-signature">-- <br>
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San Francisco, CA 94110
415 863.9977
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