George Floyd Celebration of Life Hosted by Cannabis POW Michael Thompson
The murder of George Floyd at the hands of law enforcement sparked a reckoning with racism in America and a renewed focus on entrenched systemic inequalities within our justice system. Nationwide protests and calls to action have centered on reforming that system while reimagining public safety. Along with in-person protests, the use of social media and digital advocacy tools has enabled the mobilization of an unprecedented number of people from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences engaging with these issues on a global scale. Yet the one group most impacted by our justice system has been largely left out of participating in the movement: those currently incarcerated.
Many currently incarcerated individuals support the movement for Black lives and know firsthand the systemic inequities that shape our justice system, disproportionately impacting our communities of color. Michael Thompson is one such individual. Michael is currently serving a de facto life sentence for selling cannabis in the now legal state of Michigan. Before he was incarcerated, Michael was a community organizer and tireless advocate for marginalized communities. He worked to reduce gang violence in the City of Flint and received the keys to the city. He was also a recipient of the NAACP Youth Award for organizing a "Unity Day" event in 1984.
Michael has continued the work of community building during his sentence which most recently resulted in a "Celebration of Life" for George Floyd. Over 50 individuals incarcerated at Muskegon Correctional Facility participated in the celebration which included an 8 minute and 46 second moment of silence. Michael also raised funds to serve a special meal for each of the participants. Some of the participants have shared their reflections with us in the hopes that we can give a voice to those currently incarcerated who stand in solidarity with the movement. Some excerpts of those reflections are shared below:
"George Floyd will always be remembered as the tragic death that made people around the world say "enough is enough." - B. Crigler
"George Floyd unconsciously sacrificed his life to usher in a Black Lives Matter and social justice movement that has overtaken the world, and in this new era to come change is imminent, just over the horizon. A new day of love, liberty, justice, and freedom for all is dawning. Get on board or be left behind!" - Edward Hullum
"George Floyd's tragic death sparked protest that will go down in history as one of the biggest. Little did George know his death would change America forever." - Jason K. Bowers
"For me personally, to watch daily the diversity of all the beautiful hearts come together to say in one voice, they have had enough, gives some of us hope that one day those same people will bring to light the great injustice Michael Thompson received." - Robert Michael Cannon Jr., Co-organizer
"I would like to thank the prisoners who played a major role in the success of this memory luncheon, I cannot express enough how touched I am witnessing the role these prisoners played which was done with PRIDE and DIGNITY...I would like to thank the Floyd family for sharing God's mission which was chosen within his son, and yes, to his little girl, your Daddy is going to change the world." - Michael Thompson, Co-Organizer
You can read all of the letters shared with Last Prisoner Project here.
