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Visit here to find out about ways to support the New Jersey 4
Female
25 years old
NEW YORK, New York
United States
Last Login: 4/25/2008
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| General | LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN TO GOVERNER SPITZER
Feel free to use the template below, or write a letter in your own words for a more powerful impact.
TO EMAIL THE GOVERNER, visit "Contact the Governer"
TO CALL THE GOVERNER'S OFFICE, dial (518) 474-8390
TO SEND THE GOVERNER A LETTER IN THE MAIL, write to:
The Honorable Eliot Spitzer
Governor of New York
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224
Sample text:
Dear Governor Spitzer:
In the summer of 2006, seven young women from New Jersey, Venice Brown, Khamysha Coates, Terrain Dandridge, Lania Daniels, Renata Hill, Patreese Johnson, and Chenese Loyal, were spending some of their leisure time in New York City's West Village when Dwayne Buckle, a man selling DVDs on the street, sexually propositioned Patreese Johnson. Refusing to take no for an answer, he followed the young women down the street, insulting them and yelling threats. He spat in Renata's face and threw his lit cigarette at her, then he
yanked another's hair, pulling her towards him, and then he began strangling Renata. A fight broke out, during which Patreese Johnson, 4 feet 11 inches tall and 95 pounds, produced a small knife from her bag to stop Buckle from choking her friend.
Two male onlookers, one of whom had a knife, ran over to physically deal with Buckle in order to help the women. Buckle, who ended up hospitalized for five days with stomach and liver lacerations, initially reported on at least two occasions that the men—not the women—had attacked him. What's more, Patreese's knife was never tested for DNA, the men who beat Buckle were never questioned by
police, and the whole incident was documented on surveillance video.
Yet the women ended up on trial for attempted murder, throughout which the judge, Edward J. McLaughlin, ridiculed and expressed open contempt for the women in front of the jury. As a result, four of the women ended up being convicted and sentenced in June 2007 to jail terms ranging from 3 1/2 to 11 years.
It is difficult to justify these women being brought to trial for anything, much less murder, and almost impossible to credibly explain the sentences brought down on them.
This letter is to ask you to
consider clemency for these women, who have been in jail for over a
year despite having committed no crime. Thank you for your
consideration of this matter.
Sincerely,
Your Name |
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support the nj 4!'s Details
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| Status: | Single | | Zodiac Sign: | Scorpio |
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Lesbians sentenced for self-defense: All-white jury convicts Black women
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About me:
YOUNG LESBIANS FROM NEWARK NEED OUR SUPPORT!
On August 18, 2006, seven young African American lesbians traveled to the West Village from their homes in Newark for a regular night out. When walking down the street, a male bystander assaulted them with sexist and homophobic comments. The women tried to defend themselves, and a fight broke out. Thus began the women’s nightmare for a year and counting. Three of the women accepted plea offers. On June 14th, 2007 Venice Brown (19), Terrain Dandridge (20), Patreese Johnson (20), and Renata Hill (24) received sentences ranging from 3 1/2 to 11 years in prison. This outcome illustrates an egregious lack of justice, with homophobia, sexism, racism, and classism as powerful culprits.
The women and their families now call on our communities for support. Their emotional and financial burdens have already been immense. These hardships will only continue as the women begin their prison terms and the process of appeal.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP:
Keep up to date with the situation, ways you can offer help, and in contact with other community members.
Join the listserve at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/justice4newark4
Sign the petition:
petitiononline.com/theseven
Myspace page: myspace.com/isupportthenj4
Myspace group: http://groups.myspace.com/supporthenj4
Check out: www.fiercenyc.org
Email: justice4newark4 [at] yahoo.com
Send monetary donations to help with the women's expenses associated with the case. Currently, FIERCE is accepting donations on their behalf. Please make checks payable to FIERCE and write "Jersey 4" in the memo section. Mail checks to:
New Jersey 4 c/o FIERCE
147 W. 24th St, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10011
Send letters of support to the women in prison to lift their spirits.
Spread the word about this case. Refer people to online information, get everyone involved. Help organize a fundraiser in your community, or a letter-writing get together.
For questions or to volunteer help or new ideas, please send emails to: justice4newark4 [at] yahoo.com
Addresses for letters of support:
Patreese Johnson #07-G-0635
Bedford Hills Correctional Facility
PO Box 1000
Bedford Hills, NY 10507
Renata Hill #07-G-0636
Bedford Hills Correctional Facility
PO Box 1000
Bedford Hills, NY 10507
Terrain Dandridge #07-G-0637
Albion Correctional Facility
3595 State School Road
Albion, NY 14411
Venice Brown # 07-G-0640
Albion Correctional Facility
3595 State School Road
Albion, NY 14411
Please make sure to review the below link before sending your letters of support.
New York State Department of Corrections rules for inmates receiving letters:
www.docs.state.ny.us/Directives/4422.pdf
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