Marissa Alexander

Marissa Alexander, The One Who Lived

February 26, 2015 Avis Jones DeWeever, www.huffingtonpost.com Educate! Marissa Alexander, police brutality, Racial Justice, Women's Rights

Lives that matter are worthy of protection. They are due that most basic of natural laws, the reflex of self-preservation. Yet, a sad and haunting truth in America is that while all Black life is now and has always been devalued, Black women have faced a distinct reality. Ours is a history grounded in a context of habitual sexual and physical violence (at least one outgrowth of which is the colorism that remains a stain on our psyche to this day). Yet, our collective suffering, in days past as well as in the contemporary context, have been all but erased, hidden from acknowledgement, and sequestered from view. For centuries, white women have received the benefit of brutal, often undeserved protection. Even a mere gaze was at times, deemed worthy of lethal retribution. Yet as Black women, our femininity has never served the function of shielding us from harm.

Marissa Alexander Accepts Plea Deal, Protests Continue

November 25, 2014 Alisa Bierria, www.popularresistance.org Resist! Criminal Justice and Prisons, domestic violence, Marissa Alexander

The Free Marissa Now Mobilization Campaign supports Marissa Alexander’s self-determination to make the best choices she can while navigating the violent and impossible circumstances created by her abusive husband, Angela Corey, and Florida’s judicial system. “The plea deal is a relief in some ways, but this is far from a victory,” said Alisa Bierria, from the Free Marissa Now Mobilization Campaign. “The deal will help Marissa and her family avoid yet another very expensive and emotionally exhausting trial that could have led to the devastating ruling of spending the rest of her life in prison. Marissa’s children, family, and community need her to be free as soon as possible. However, the absurdity in Marissa’s case was always the fact that the courts punished and criminalized her for surviving domestic violence, for saving her own life.

Marissa Alexander Supporters Correct Misleading Media

October 24, 2014 Sumayya Fire and Aleta Alston-Toure', www.freemarissanow.org Educate! Criminal Justice and Prisons, domestic violence, Marissa Alexander

“We’re glad that Marissa’s name is still in the media,” said Sumayya Fire, member of Free Marissa Now, “but the headline should be ‘Survivor of Domestic Violence Saves Her Own Life, Still Threatened with Appalling 60 Year Sentence.’ Another helpful headline would be ‘85%-90% of People in Women’s Prisons Experience Sexual and Domestic Violence before Incarceration.’ Why aren’t we having a national discussion about the ways that survivors of violence, especially black women, are systematically criminalized? The media needs to be all over this trial because of the dangerous and historic precedent it will set for the right of all women to defend themselves from domestic violence and sexual assault. If the trial ends in a life sentence for a woman whose life was threatened and caused no injuries when defending herself, all women's right to self-defense will be weakened.

Chicago Fundraiser For Marissa Alexander

September 9, 2014 Free Marissa Now, www.facebook.com Organize! Freedom, Fundraiser, Marissa Alexander

By now, most of you know that Marissa Alexander's retrial is set to begin this fall, and that the legal costs stemming from her case are astronomical. Marissa, a black woman who fired a warning shot in defense of herself and her children, faces up to 60 years in prison. It is crucial that the racism fueling this prosecution be countered with the love and solidarity of those who believe in justice. On Saturday, September 13th, we will come together to express that love and solidarity by celebrating Marissa's birthday and raising money for her defense. The event begins at 7pm, and will include an art auction, live poetry, music, drinks, and an appearance by the Chicago Light Brigade. Local artist Sarah Adams will also be sketching portraits on request for donations.

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