Democracy Now! Thursday, February 6, 2014

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/12/from_jail_to_law_school_jimI viewed the YouTube news broadcast regarding Desmond Meade, president of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, regarding the article,  "From Jail to Law School:  Jim Crow Era Law Bars Florida Man from Voting, Taking Bar, Serving on Jury."

After serving time in prison on a felony charge, Desmond Meade, put himself through rehab, a paralegal course, received a bachelor degree, and currently three months away from earning a law degree.  However, his story does not have a happy ending.  In the state of Florida, where Meade resides, as well as the states of Virginia and Kentucky, he is not able to vote, sit for the bar, or serve on a jury.  Due to his former incarceration, he is restricted from buying a where he wants, is restricted in employment opportunities, and ostracized.

Desmond Meade is 1 in 5 people disenfranchised in Florida, stripped of citizenship for life, stripped of most fundamental rights - banned from voting.  Attorney General Eric Holder call the laws "unnecessary and unjust."  Florida refuses to let go of theses Jim Crow laws.  These laws apply to with a prior felony conviction.   He stresses that it is a matter of human decency to help a person reintegrate into society after they have served  their time, and made amends; to be allowed back in the community to lead a productive life. 

What I hear Florida legislation saying is that - no matter if you were arrested, convicted, sentenced, serve your time, go back to school, earn and law degree - you still are restricted from voting, sitting for the bar, serving on a jury, or practice law if you have a prior conviction.  Why bother sending them to jail, stripping a person their most fundamental rights - democrat or republican - voting, and basically their citizenship, is punishment enough.