Tyra Patterson was 19 years old when she was initially handed a sentence of 45 years to life for robbery and murder. I know this because I was on the jury that convicted her. But I just found out about evidence that wasn’t presented at the trial — and I believe it proves that Tyra is innocent.

I recently heard a recording of the 911 call that was placed the night of the crime and was shocked to discover that it was Tyra who called to help the victim. I also found out that Tyra’s co-defendants have stepped forward and said that Tyra was not connected to the crime. They even passed polygraph tests asserting her innocence.

If I had known about this evidence during the trial, I never would have voted to convict Tyra. And now that I do, I’m working to right this injustice by convincing the Governor to commute her sentence.

I started a petition on Change.org asking the Ohio Parole Board and Governor Kasich to pardon Tyra by commuting her sentence. Click here to sign my petition, and help me right this wrong.

During the trial, my gut told me that Tyra had just found herself in the wrong place at the wrong time. But her attorney barely put up a defense, and with the most important evidence left out of the trial, the other jurors and I felt like we had no choice but to convict. I have lost many nights of sleep over Tyra’s case, and I’m grateful that I now have the opportunity and the evidence to help set an innocent young woman free.

I know that Change.org petitions have successfully encouraged Governor Kasich to pardon prisoners before, like Kelley Williams-Bolar, a mom who was jailed for trying to get her kids to a safer school. I believe that if enough people sign my petition, Governor Kasich and the Ohio Parole Board will allow Tyra to come home. I want to be there when Tyra gets to leave prison as an innocent woman, knowing I did my part to make that happen. And I can’t do it without your help.

Join me in standing up for Tyra by signing my petition asking Governor Kasich and the Ohio Parole Board to review Tyra’s case and commute her sentence. Click here to sign.

Thank you for your help.

Nancy Day Ohio

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

How To Boycott Florida From Any State-List of Florida Based Corps

09/20/2013 Nativegrl77

Tess Powell Out Loud

An economic boycott of Florida based companies will force corporations to use their power and influence to change the laws that set child murder George Zimmerman free and put an end to their corrupt legal system.

While protests & vigils are appropriate, they haven’t done much to stop the tide of racially profiled murder victims. We’ve held them following Sean Bell, Oscar Grant, Rodney King with little effect.

Here’s a list of Florida based companies you can boycott from any state, that will have a strong economic impact & bring about meaningful change:(It’s so a good idea to tweet them too)

1) Do not buy products or services produced in Florida. Oranges, Tropicana orange juice, Elizabeth Arden Cosmetics, Hertz Rental cars, Perry Ellis International,Tupperware, Sunbeam appliances, Trac Phone Wireless, Cash4Gold, EA Tiburon which owns EA Electronics Video Games

2) Don’t patronize restaurants based in Florida. Darden corporation owns Red Lobster…

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~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Lonnie G. Bunch at The NMAAHC

09/20/2013 Nativegrl77

Thank you for signing the pledge on Care2 to support the preservation of African American history and culture through the National Museum of African American History and Culture. As the founding director, I want to be the first to welcome you to our online community.

When the Museum opens its doors in 2015, it will be far more than a collection of objects. It will be a place to remind us of where we’ve been, the challenges we still face and point us toward what we can become — a museum for all Americans!

In 2005, we began the journey to create the 19th museum of the Smithsonian family. And in February 2012, we broke ground, which was a major milestone in our development.

Take a moment to watch this short video about the kind of place the National Museum of African American History and Culture will be thanks to the support of friends like you.

As we approach our grand opening in 2015, we’ll be sure to keep you updated on our progress and provide ways for you to get involved in bringing the National Museum of African American History and Culture to the nation and the world.

Thank you for joining us in this truly historic endeavor!

All the best,

Lonnie G. Bunch
Founding Director

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Planned Parenthood ~~ the Other Washington

09/20/2013 Nativegrl77

As a supporter of Planned Parenthood and generally awesome person, we thought you might be interested in these very awesome upcoming events.
We hope that you’ll check out one (or, y’know, ALL) of the events below. While these events aren’t produced by Planned Parenthood, they speak to the work we do and offer new perspectives on the past, present, and future of our movement. Follow the links below for details!

September 26, 2013 – 7:30PM – Town Hall Seattle
Peter Bagge with Cienna Madrid Woman Rebel: The Margaret Sanger Story You might know the story of Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger-but chances are you’ve never heard (or seen!) anyone tell it like Peter Bagge. The Harvey Award-winning author launches Woman Rebel, his graphic-novel biography of Sanger, in a slideshow focusing on her activism and how the book came together. Then, in conversation with Cienna Madrid of The Stranger, Bagge expands on the life of the birth-control activist, educator, nurse, mother, and protofeminist, making Sanger whole and human and showing how her flaws fueled her fiery activism just as much as her compassionate nature did. Tickets are on sale now!
October 10, 2013 – 7:00PM – Town Hall Seattle
Women’s Funding Alliance presents Modern Girlhood Redefined Girls today are constantly faced with newly complex challenges, pressures and opportunities. This quickly evolving, modern era leaves little room for existing feminine archetypes to hold much appeal. Join speakers Robin Held, Executive Director, Reel Grrls; Erin Jones, Director of Equity and Achievement, Federal Way School District; Nan Stoops, Executive Director, Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence; and Jessica Willis, Faculty, Women’s and Gender Studies, Eastern Washington University, as they chart important trends for girls in Washington State. The event will feature a series of independent talks, each addressing a timely topic related to healthy girlhood and how investing in girls is key to changing the future for us all. Tickets are on sale now!
October 18-24 – Various Showtimes – SIFF Film Center
Seattle International Film Festival presents After Tiller After Tiller intimately explores the controversial subject of third-trimester abortions in the wake of the 2009 assassination of practitioner Dr. George Tiller. The procedure is now performed by only four doctors in the United States, all former colleagues of Dr. Tiller, who risk their lives every day in the name of their unwavering commitment toward their patients. This film helps illustrate the heart-wrenching decisions that define abortion late in pregnancy for families facing tragic circumstances. The providers featured in the film do not work for Planned Parenthood, nor does Planned Parenthood endorse the views expressed in the film. Planned Parenthood does not provide third-trimester abortions. But, Planned Parenthood does beleive taht abortion is a deeply personal and often complex decision, and that decisions about whether to choose adoption, end a pregnancy, or raise a child must be left to a woman, her family, and her faith, with the counsel of her health care provider. Tickets will go on sale in October – watch the SIFF website for details.