Nationwide — Despite being convicted and sentenced to jail for corruption, former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has thousands of supporters that are determined to get him released from prison. Calling themselves “The People for the Release of Kwame Kilpatrick”, the supporters have started an online petition on Change.org urging President Obama to grant him clemency.Kilpatrick was sentenced to 28 years in federal prison after being charged with bribery, extortion, fraud and racketeering. He appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court in June for a new trial, but he was denied. His supporters say that they agree that he should be punished, but that his 28-year sentence is too excessive.
In the petition, they say that Kilpatrick should not be allowed to “rot away in prison,” but instead, should be “given the opportunity to work for the State and City government to educate young politicians on the slippery slope of corruption which every Senator, Congressmen, State Rep, Governor, Mayor, Aldermen and City Council member face everyday.”
The person who started the petition comments, “Pull Kwame out of prison and let him use his mind, his heart and his voice to shield other young politicians, black men and women away from the unfortunate trap he fell into. Yes people were hurt, yes people were mad but I have forgiven him and others will as well.”
The petition continues, “Everyone deserves a second chance and I believe the City of the Detroit will be a better place with OUR Son out of prison and back home doing the work to rebuild his family, city and his reputation. Kwame is just too smart to be in prison and it is a disservice and an atrocity to lock him away for that long. His wife and children are barely surviving. They are being watched and hunted down by the government for any money or help they receive. It’s wrong and it needs to be made right.”
As of November 1, 2016, the petition had more than 22,000 signatures.
To sign and/or view the petition, visit www.change.org/p/barack-obama-clemency-for-kwame-kilpatrick-he-was-wrong-but-28-years-is-too-excessive