For Immediate Release: May 25, 2021
Contact: media@colorofchange.org
COLOR OF CHANGE AND THE INNOCENCE PROJECT OF TEXAS CALL FOR POSTHUMOUS PARDON FOR GEORGE FLOYD ONE YEAR AFTER HISTORIC PROTESTS
Today, Color Of Change and The Innocence Project of Texas jointly launched an online petition calling on Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to issue a posthumous pardon to George Floyd. The petition, which is available here on Color Of Change’s website, calls on Texas officials to follow the recommendations of the Harris County Commissioners Court and pardon Mr. Floyd for a wrongful 2004 drug conviction.
Today’s launch also comes one year after George Floyd’s murder at the hands of Minneapolis police officers sparked historic protests across the U.S. and began a national reckoning on racial justice. Since last year’s historic uprisings, Color Of Change has worked alongside local and national advocacy organizations to dismantle anti-Black racism in America through its ongoing work to end mass incarceration, eradicate police violence, and reimagine public safety. It has also launched campaigns to hold police officers and other members of law enforcement accountable — including the former officer who murdered George Floyd — and continued to fight for justice a year later.
“One year after nationwide protests shifted the public discourse on racial justice in America, the system has yet to provide closure to George Floyd’s loved ones for another major injustice,” said Scott Roberts, Senior Director of Criminal Justice and Democracy Campaigns at Color Of Change. “From his wrongful conviction on phony drug charges to his untimely death at the hands of police officers, George Floyd’s life holds too many examples of how anti-Black, violent and corrupt American policing can be. A posthumous pardon would serve as an important recognition of the many ways the war on drugs has brutally targeted Black people and unjustifiably incarcerated millions. Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles must issue this long-overdue pardon to Mr. Floyd and provide much-needed closure to his family and loved ones as they continue to heal.”
“All who seek Justice shall have Justice, even after death. An injustice to one is an injustice to all,” said Cory D. Session Sr. Vice President of the Innocence Project of Texas.
In 2004, George Floyd was wrongfully convicted on drug charges in Houston, Texas and spent 10 months in jail as a result. After new evidence came to light, revealing misconduct by the police officer who arrested Mr. Floyd, the conviction was overturned but the charge remains on Mr. Floyd’s record — even after his death.
This April, the Harris County Commissioners Court approved a resolution in support of pardoning Mr. Floyd and submitted the request to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. But in order for Mr. Floyd to receive an official pardon, the board must make a recommendation to Governor Greg Abbott and secure his signature in support.
In addition to today’s announcement, Color Of Change is holding a Racial Justice Week Of Action to honor the life and legacy of George Floyd and acknowledge national progress on racial justice since last year’s historic uprisings. More information on the Week of Action is available here.
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Color Of Change is the nation’s largest online racial justice organization. We help people respond effectively to injustice in the world around us. As a national online force driven by over 7 million members, we move decision-makers in corporations and governments to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America. Visit www.colorofchange.org.