Justice for Marissa: A Fundraiser for Freedom

   
Marissa Alexander was sentenced to 20 years for defending herself from her abuser, but she was granted a new trial. Funds will help her win her freedom.

UPDATE: As of November 27th, Marissa Alexander has been released from prison on a $200,009 bond.  We're so thrilled!!  But we've got a long way to go to help Marissa and her family win the upcoming re-trial, which starts March 31, 2014.  This campaign has met and zoomed past our goal of $10,000.  Congratulations to all of the amazing supporters!!  Your commitment has fired up the campaign and we raised the freedom fundraiser goal to $20,000! Let’s keep going!  Please bring in more donors and let’s bring Marissa home for good!

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Marissa Alexander is an African American mother of three and survivor of domestic violence from Jacksonville, FL.  In 2010, she fired a warning shot upwards into a wall to defend herself from a life-threatening beating from her  estranged husband. Despite the fact that Marissa caused no injuries and has no previous criminal record, and despite the fact that Florida’s self-defense law includes the right to “Stand Your Ground,” she was subsequently arrested, prosecuted, and sentenced to 20 years in prison.  This past September, Marissa Alexander won her appeal, her guilty verdict was overturned, and she secured the right to a new trial.  

FULL ACQUITTAL: A Movement Behind The Trial

Free Marissa Now, an alliance of organizers and thousands of people all around the world, have been organizing for Marissa's freedom from prison and intend to keep going until she is free.  Because State Attorney Angela Corey refuses to drop the case against Marissa Alexander, continuing a pattern of unjust targeting and prosecution, our movement turns to supporting Marissa, her family, and her legal team in winning her freedom through a new trial.

This fundraiser is CRITICAL for at least two reasons:

1. Marissa's excellent legal team is working pro bono, which is wonderful.  However, launching an effective defense can run up significant costs, such as securing expert witnesses, travel costs, depositions, processing evidence, etc.  Marissa's supporters can mobilize to raise funds that will ensure that she has resources for the trial, increasing her chances of securing her freedom.

2. Our continued organizing will make sure that Marissa's name is not forgotten and that our commitment to her freedom remains active.  It also creates opportunities for us to continue to raise awareness about domestic violence and mass incarceration.  

ORGANIZE FUNDRAISERS!

We appreciate all individual donations!  We also encourage people to organize community fundraisers to connect with each other and bring more people into the movement.  Organize community potlucks, local concerts, raffles, talent shows, holiday parties...  Fundraising is a huge part of movement building!

WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?

This fundraiser is accountable to Marissa Alexander and her family.  All proceeds from this fundraiser go to the Marissa Alexander Legal Defense Fund which is administered by Marissa's family on her behalf. You can find the link to this fundraiser on the family's website:http://justiceformarissa.blogspot.com/.

Contact us at freemarissanow@gmail.com if you have questions.

THANK YOU!

Marissa's supporters are the greatest!  Every step of the way, you have shown up and given deep support and love.  Your donation is just one more way that you give life to the movement to free Marissa and highlight the need to support all survivors who have been criminalized while trying to navigate the conditions of violence.  Thank you so much for your donation!

PS:

If you want to send a donation via check, you can mail the check to:

Global Alliance, Inc.
For: The Marissa Alexander Legal Defense FundGlobal Alliance, Inc.P.O. Box 290956Columbia, SC 29229

But please e-mail a note to us at freemarissanow@gmail.com so we can include your donation in our fundraising total!