Dear Governor,
Wednesday, February 11, will be the 14th anniversary of the release of Nelson Mandela from imprisonment by the government of South Africa. This appeal for clemency for Kevin Cooper and a general amnesty for many of the imprisoned human beings in the State of California is predicated on an understanding that mercy can be a tool for the redemption of a society. The release of Mandela changed the world. This event deserves to be honored in a special way. You have a unique opportunity to make a significant difference in the perception of the world regarding compassion in these United States and our humility in making this gesture of mercy. On February 12, 1973, the first American POWs were released to U.S. officials near Hanoi, North Vietnam. This event also changed the world. Acts of mercy are sometimes forgotten but their influence on our national identity is lasting and deserves this kind of recognition. Attention to these issues of collective awareness identifies your humanity. Our people’s struggle for justice and truth will always embrace compassion.
Toward understanding,
Stephen Paulmier