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Cyntoia Brown, who has been serving a life sentence for killing a man when she was 16, was granted clemency Monday by Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam. Black superstarsknown to speak out against the corrupt prison system, such as Meek Mill, Jada Pinkett Smith and T.I., celebrated the announcement.
Brown was charged with the 2004 murder of Johnny Mitchell Allen, 43, a real estate agent, who allegedly bought her as part of a sex trafficking ring.
For the past decade, organizers who are women of color have worked tirelessly to have Brown released. The case gained national attention in the past year after many celebrities such as Rihanna, Kim Kardashian West and Smith shared the woman’s story on their social platforms.
Several people began advocating for the alleged sex trafficking victim’s release using the hashtag “#FreeCyntoiaBrown.”
“Cyntoia Brown committed, by her own admission, a horrific crime at the age of 16,” Haslam said in a statement. “Yet, imposing a life sentence on a juvenile that would require her to serve at least 51 years before even being eligible for parole consideration is too harsh, especially in light of the extraordinary steps Ms. Brown has taken to rebuild her life.”
According to CNN, after serving 15 years in prison, Brown will be released Aug. 7. She will be on parole for 10 years.
Check out the congratulatory posts from prominent figures below.
Jada Pinkett Smith
Meek Mill
T.I.
Cyn Santana
Kim Kardashian West
?????? Thank you Governor Haslam ?????? https://t.co/rAiru84fgn
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) January 7, 2019
Brittany Packnett
#CyntoiaBrown has been granted clemency!
I wish she’d be free before August-and have never faced this terror in the first place. Still, 15 yrs could have been 50+.
Here’s to activists, @RepAkbari + black legislators & @BaylorSwindell & Cyntoia’s team.https://t.co/yYevnjZD9t
— Brittany Packnett (@MsPackyetti) January 7, 2019
Stacey Abrams
Justice has finally been served: #CyntoiaBrown has been granted clemency. This victory belongs to Cyntoia Brown & to the Tennessee human trafficking activists, especially Black women, who refused to concede injustice & instead organized to create change. https://t.co/ANC0aOXj5N
— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) January 7, 2019
dream hampton
#CyntoiaBrown receiving clemency is the result of Black Women’s organizing. Thank you! Especially @prisonculture
— dream hampton (@dreamhampton) January 7, 2019
Tarana Burke
YES!!!!! CYNTOIA WILL BE FREE!!!https://t.co/k4hms0E4l0
— Tarana (@TaranaBurke) January 7, 2019
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