All are invited to view and discuss Since I been Down. Directed, written and produced by Plymouth member in covenant Gilda Sheppard, Since I Been Down features the story of Kimonti Carter. Our discussion of the film will be held virtually on Saturday, February 12, from 6:30-8 pm. Click here to register for this event. Once registered, you will receive a link to view the film one week before the event. The event discussion will assume that you have watched the film on your own.
In the summer of 1997, Kimonti Carter and three friends cruised the streets of Tacoma, a city besieged by poverty, drugs and gangs. In a case of mistaken identity, Kimonti shot and killed a college student home for the summer. Like many of his peers, Kimonti’s virtually predestined trajectory to prison was complete.
At 18, and sentenced to 777 years without the possibility of parole, Kimonti joined a prison activist group that had started in the wake of the civil rights movement. Over the next 22 years, he and his peers built a liberatory education system - created by and for the inmates. This liberatory prisoner-led programming is now transforming the prison environment, reducing recidivism, reducing violence in prison, eroding racism and even reaching its arms outside of prison to transform the communities these men hail from.
We are pleased to share with you the encouraging news that Kimonti Carter has been granted a hearing before Division II of the Washington State Court of Appeals on March 25. This is not a guarantee of release, but it is his first opportunity to make his case before the Court that he should be given the opportunity to re-enter society. We can help Kimonti’s chances by writing letters of support to the judge by February 28. You can see a sample letter here.
Make sure to customize your letter! Kimonti has shared these links describing his accomplishments that you can add to your letter:
If you would like to read additional letter-writing tips, click here.
Mail letters to:
The Honorable Judge Johnson Pierce County Superior Court
930 Tacoma Ave. South, Dept #10
Tacoma, Washington 98402
Email a copy of your letter to Kimonti's attorney: jeffreyerwinellis@gmail.com
We are also pleased to inform you that we have had a very good initial response to our January 25 Lobbying Day initiative. Twelve Christian, Jewish, and Muslim congregations are participating, spanning twelve legislative districts. We are in the process of scheduling between 24 and 36 meetings with our representatives and senators, If you have already responded that you are interested in participating, thank you! If you have not yet responded, but you are interested in participating, please click on this link and fill out the form.
-Dr. Gilda Sheppard, Dr. Mark Jones, Rev. Dr. Kelle Brown, Karen Lee, Rev. Paul Benz Rabbi Jay Rosenbaum, Rabbi Rachel Nussbaum Audrey Covner, and the Multifaith Criminal Justice Reform Team