NEWS RELEASE December 5, 2015 From: Free Marissa Now; [email protected]
Faith Community Leaders Organize "Jericho Prayer March" in Support of Marissa Alexander
On Saturday, December 6th, 9am - 11am, faith communities from all denominations will participate in the "Jericho Prayer March" in support of Marissa Alexander, a black Jacksonville mother of three who was prosecuted for defending herself from her abusive husband. Marchers will meet at the Duval County Courthouse to begin the march. Nine days after prematurely giving birth, Alexander was forced to defend her life from a brutal life-threatening attack by her estranged husband. Alexander fired a single warning shot that caused no injuries, but stopped the attack. She was denied Stand Your Ground immunity from prosecution, prosecuted by the State of Florida, and sentenced to a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison. Alexander successfully appealed the verdict, but prosecutors announced they would re-prosecute Alexander, this time pursuing a 60 year sentence. On November 24, 2014, Alexander accepted a plea deal which includes nearly three years of time served in prison, an additional 65 days in Duval County Jail, and two years of probation while wearing a surveillance monitor. She is expected to be released on January 27, 2015. "Marissa is a woman of strong faith, which has kept her grounded throughout this entire experience," said march organizer, Pastor Annie Montgomery of Abundant Peace Ministries in Jacksonville, FL. "Faith communities in Jacksonville and all over the world have sent heartfelt support to Marissa with their prayers, donations, letters, activism, and love. We look to Jeremiah 33:3 as the scripture that guides us in this march to free Marissa Alexander and to support all survivors and victims of violence." Participants embrace the march as an awareness-building action during a time of important and active resistance to police and prison violence across the U.S. "Our hearts are with the families of Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Jordan Davis, Trayvon Martin, and all of the women, men, and children whose lives, from our perspective, have been taken or devastated by institutional racism within systems of policing, prosecution, and prisons," said Sumayya Coleman, lead organizer at Free Marissa Now. "We are in solidarity with the call to end police violence and mass incarceration, as well as the urgent need to end domestic violence. At this march, we will express our solidarity through prayer, fellowship, and peace." People all over the world are invited to pray, march, walk, or meditate in solidarity on Saturday, December 6th. Supporters can send prayers and notes of support on facebook and twitter using the hashtags, #FMNJericho, #JerichoPeace, and #TeamJericho. Free Marissa Now is on facebook, twitter, and tumblr at: "freemarissanow" and @freemarissanow. "We will not rest until Marissa is free and our communities find justice," said Coleman. The Free Marissa Now Mobilization Campaign is an international grassroots campaign led by a core of organizers representing the African American/Black Women's Cultural Alliance, New Jim Crow Movement - Jacksonville, and INCITE! Women of Color and Trans People of Color Against Violence. For more information, see www.FreeMarissaNow.org. Free Marissa Now Mobilization Campaign Donate to the Marissa Alexander Freedom Fund! www.FreeMarissaNow.org Facebook.com/FreeMarissaNow @freemarissanow