Columnist Jamala Rogers
Most of you know by now that Reggie Clemons has an execution date of June 17, 2009. Since then the Missouri Supreme Court has denied a stay of execution.
St. Louis American readers, some feeling understandably helpless, have been asking what they can do to support Reggie. An engaged and empowered community is Reggie’s best defense to resist the State’s obsession for his execution.
Below are 18 things that any justice-seeking person can do. Eighteen is for the number of years that Reggie has been unjustly held since the Chain of Rocks Bridge tragedy.
1. Send a letter to Governor Jay Nixon asking for a stay of execution and that he thoroughly review the facts in this case. His address is 201 W. Capitol Avenue, Jefferson City, MO 65101-1556. His fax # is (573) 751-1495.
2. Send a letter to Steve Long, chair of the Division of Parole and Probation (or you can copy him in your letter to the governor). Long’s address is 1511 Christy, Jefferson City, MO 65101 and his fax # is (573) 751-8501.
3. Get 15 people you know to sign Reggie’s clemency petition which can be downloaded from his website, www.justiceforreggie.com. They don’t have to be a resident, registered voter, of a certain age or believe in his innocence. The petition merely asks for a serious investigation of this case, which is full of contradictions.
4. Pass out leaflets on Reggie’s case wherever you go so that people have the facts in hand.
5. Text, call or email your friends and relatives to get involved in Reggie’s fight for justice.
6. Join a detail organized by the Justice for Reggie Campaign to pass out leaflets at places like the Metro Link or at various events around town.
7. Join an organized detail to get signatures at various events around town.
8. Make an announcement about Reggie’s case at your church, sorority or other group meeting.
9. Show Reggie’s documentary The Color of Justice to your church, sorority or other groups.
10. Write a letter to the editor of local newspaper about the injustice of Reggie’s case.
11. Call in to a radio talk show about Reggie’s case and challenge listeners to get involved. Challenge any misinformation by the media.
12. Buy a Reggie T-shirt and wear it as a way to talk about the case.
13. Buy a Reggie button and wear it as a way to talk about the case.
14. Text, twitter, call or email your out of town friends and relatives and ask them to sign Reggie’s online petition at his website.
15. Send a card to Reggie to keep his spirits high. His mailing address is Reginald Clemons, #990102, 2727 Hwy K, Bonne Terre, Mo. 63628.
16. Put a link on your or your group’s website to Reggie’s website.
17. Put a link to Reggie’s website and remarks on your Facebook or MySpace page.
18. Attend any events to support Reggie sponsored by the Justice for Reggie Campaign.
For updates on the fast-moving case, you can also visit the website at www.justiceforreggie.com.