VID was well represented at the Clemency Vigil which took place by candle light on the evening of September 6th in Mt. Kisco, NY
outside the home of Governor Andrew Cuomo. Over 150 people participated.
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Its purpose was to try to convince the governor to start issuing clemencies to those inmates in the NYS correctional system who deserve them. Many inmates have been incarcerated for long periods of time either for non-violent crimes or for serious crimes, but have unquestionably been rehabilitated. As of today the governor hasn’t issued a single clemency. The rally was organized by the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club with the support of the VID.
Among the wide variety of speakers asking the governor to do the humane thing and start issuing clemencies were Allen Roskoff, President of the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, Robert Dennison, retired Chairman, New York State Board of Parole, Philanthropist Bill Samuels, Zenaida Mendez, President of NYS NOW, and celebrities Kathryn Erbe, star of Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Cathrine Curtin from Orange is the New Black.
The following VID’ers attended the Candle Light Vigil: Jonathan Geballe, Mary Dugan, Betsy Mickel, Tom Connor, Kathy Slawinski, Alexander Meadows, Kate Linker, Kitty Loving and Tony Hoffmann.