Last night, I had the honor of attending a vigil in Poughkeepsie, NY, supporting the appeal to Governor Hochul to grant Nikki Addimando clemency. Nikki saved her life and the lives of her children from her abuser. She survived and was punished with years away from her children. She is currently imprisoned in the Bedford Hills Women's Prison in New York. This was the first vigil that I ever attended that was for a survivor who was alive. All the vigils I’ve attended were vigils for victims who lost their lives to domestic violence. The sadness in everyone’s eyes and hearts was the same because as we were all gathered our loved ones were not there. To witness the “purple people” come out for Nikki was powerful. For those of you who don’t know, purple is the color for domestic violence awareness. As I sat there, I thought about what Nikki was doing and feeling at that moment in prison. She should have been there to witness the support of her community and the powerful group of women who make up the Nikki Addimando Community Defense Committee @westandwithnikki These are women, including her sister who have been fighting for her life since day one! Without her community of supporters Nikki could have possibly spent the rest of her life in prison. Domestic violence robs so many women of their lives and we, the people, need to take action to help them as Nikki’s community has done for her. As a survivor of domestic violence, the vigil was a reminder of why I have dedicated my life to bringing awareness to domestic violence through @freedom4ewa Our voices make a difference, and they will no longer be silenced. #freenikki #westandwithnikki #alivebutnotfree #survivedbutpunished #domesticviolence #sexualabuse #pheonixrising #purple #imprisonedsurvivors https://www.instagram.com/freedom4ewa/p/CXXFQU6rZm5/?utm_medium=tumblr