Stop the School to Prison Pipeline - Grace is Free from Incarceration - Read for Updates

Stop the School to Prison Pipeline - Grace is Free from Incarceration - Read for Updates

Started
July 14, 2020
Petition to
Oakland County Family Court Division and 2 others
Signatures: 353,218Next Goal: 500,000
Support now

Why this petition matters

Want a good read while you wait for election results today?

Catch up on the story of "Grace," the Michigan teenager whose jailing created national outrage this summer. She's back home and has been working to get out the vote.

Read the NEW Propublica Article on Grace  Here

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A black, 15 year-old female student from Groves High School in Birmingham, MI with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) was incarcerated on alleged probation violation of not keeping up with her online schoolwork during the pandemic. Grace's teacher, who was supposed to speak on her behalf, was unable to testify because she had to leave to teach a class. The only person to speak on Grace's behalf was her caseworker, who was unaware of Grace's educational disabilities and her IEP. The presiding judge called her a "threat to the community." Here's a link to the story

It's been 75 days and she's still there.

Please sign this petition to show your support to free Grace, provide her with the support and resources she ACTUALLY needs, and dismiss her case. The petition will be sent to the Oakland County Family Court Division, the Judge who oversaw the case: Judge Mary Ellen Brennan, and the Birmingham Public Schools Board of Education. 

 

If you want to help you can:

Use THIS LINK to send an email to elected officials and flood their inboxes with pleas to #FreeGrace. The link will send emails to Governor Whitmer, Attorney General Nessel, Oakland County Exec. Coulter, Prosecutor Cooper, Chief Judge Kumar, and Oakland County Sheriff Bouchard. 

Call Judge Mary Ellen Brennan - (248)-858-0355

and

EMAIL Judge Mary Ellen Brennan's CLERKS:

slatonk@oakgov.com chismjacobsr@oakgov.com

 

Email the Communication Director for Birmingham Public Schools, Anne Cron:

acron@birmingham.k12.mi.us

 

Email Members of the BPS Board of Education: 

 kwhitman@birmingham.k12.mi.us

 LAjlouny@birmingham.k12.mi.us

 bjennings@birmingham.k12.mi.us

 ayoung@birmingham.k12.mi.us

 ahochkammer@birmingham.k12.mi.us

 nmckinney@birmingham.k12.mi.us

 jrass@birmingham.k12.mi.us

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10/26- Update:

Greetings #FreeGrace Supporters: 

Judge Mary Ellen Brennan, the judge who incarcerated Grace for “not doing homework", is up for re-election. Grace is free, but there are hundreds of  “Graces”  who have received punitive sentences instead of giving these girls the help they need to realize their dreams.

We are issuing this Call to Action for you and your family as you go to the polls.

CALL TO ACTION:

When casting your ballot for Oakland County, MI 6th District Circuit Court Judges,  bypass incumbent Judge Mary Ellen Brennan in your selection. Our choice is Write In candidate Adrienne Young  (https://twitter.com/Adrienne4Judge


If you have family and friends that live in Oakland County, MI  (see cities below), please share this CALL TO ACTION to remove Judge Mary Ellen Brennan and vote for Write-in candidate Adrienne Young for Oakland County Circuit Court Incumbent Full Term. 


Oakland County cities:  Berkley, Birmingham, Ferndale, Oak Park, Pontiac, Lathrup Village, and Southfield, Farmington Hills, Commerce Twp, West Bloomfield and Novi


Thank you for exercising your right to vote and your support to dismantle the broken and unfair justice system and replace it with knowledgeable, relevant, resourceful and fair judicial officials.

Blessings to you and your families

- #Free Grace Community Collective

Support now
Signatures: 353,218Next Goal: 500,000
Support now
Share this petition in person or use the QR code for your own material.Download QR Code

Decision Makers

  • Oakland County Family Court Division
  • Birmingham Public Schools Board of Education
  • Judge Mary Ellen Brennan