Support The Men Wrongly Convicted In The Infamous Central Park Jogger Case...Their Plight Isn't Over

The Central Park jogger case is one of the most infamous cases in New York City history.

In 1989, a woman was found in Central Park raped and gravely beaten. She was reportedly attacked while out jogging. As a result of the brutal attack, the NYPD went on a hunt for suspects. They rounded up a group of Black and Latino teenage boys, and accused them of being the culprits of the crime. Confessions were coerced from the teenagers. It was these false confessions that were used to convict the young teens for rape and assault. DNA evidence collected from the scene of the crime didn't match that of any of the suspects. This was a dead giveaway of the young boys' innocence. However, they were still hit with heavy prison sentences.

In 2002, it was revealed that a convicted rapist and murderer- who was serving a life sentence in prison- was the true culprit of the Central Park jogger's rape. Not only did the imprisoned rapist adamantly admit to being the sole perpetrator of the crime, but the DNA evidence that was collected from the crime scene was a match with his confirming that he was indeed the rapist. Despite this confirmation the damage was already done. The falsely accused young teens had been crucified in the press. They were also tragically doomed to grow up in the prison system; losing pivotal developmental years of their lifespan to incarceration for a crime they did not commit.

The young men who were falsely accused and unjustly railroaded by the court system eventually had their convictions vacated by the New York Supreme Court. However, they had already served their prison sentences in full at the time of the order to have their convictions vacated.

Right now the men who were wrongly imprisoned in the Central Park jogger case, are attempting to petition the New York City Council in order to receive just compensation for losing more than a decade out of their lives due to their false convictions.

It is imperative that New York City acknowledge the pain and unjust treatment that these men and their families have endured- and continue to endure. The city's judicial and political system must be held accountable. [SIDEBAR: City officials should be tripping over each other in a rush to right this wrong!] The United African Movement (led by Alton Maddox) has created a petition to help in the plight of of these young men to receive the compensation that they deserve from the city. The petition, along with a resolution concerning the matter will be submitted by Councilman Charles Barron to the New York City Council at NEW YORK'S CITY HALL ON MAY 20th AT 2PM.

ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY ARE BEING ASKED TO COME OUT TO CITY HALL ON MAY 20TH AT 2PM TO ATTEND THE ASSEMBLY WHERE THE PETITION AND THE RESOLUTION WILL BE PRESENTED.

Please show your solidarity for these falsely convicted men and their families. They are us! What happened to them could happen to us easily (or already has)! Let's show that we support our community members, and will no longer stand for our loved ones being railroaded by the system.

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