About the runner - David Sadler
E-MailTHE RUN
To: Governor of Pennsylvania, The Honorable Mark Schweiker
We, The "All New Wake Up Posse", DJ Hukher, Break-A-Dawn, and Lord Stace of 102 Jamz, Orlando, FL. ask you to join us in support of Orlando’s own real life Forrest Gump, David Sadler as he embarks on "The Run".On August 15, 2002 he will be running/walking from Orlando, Fl. to Harrisburg, Pa, with the hope of receiving Clemency by personally handing his Clemency/Pardon application to the Governor of Pennsylvania, The Honorable Mark Schweiker. Mr. Sadler will be traveling through Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, District of Columbia, Maryland and eventually ending up in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
10 years ago, when he was eighteen, Mr. Sadler pleaded guilty to one count of Violation of a Controlled Substance. Since then, he has gone on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. While in college he joined Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Mr. Sadler has been recently studying for the GMAT, the entry exam for Graduate School. While researching the entry requirements, he found out that he wouldn’t be able to receive Financial Aid because of his Felony Conviction.Mr. Sadler was advised by his Attorney to take a Plea Bargain, because it was his first offense. Mr. Sadler was given the option of 3 months of home monitoring or if found guilty 2 years in the County Jail. With no knowledge of how this decision would affect him, he took the plea. Mr. Sadler never knew that taking the plea would leave him a "convicted felon" for the rest of his life.
Washington County Judge Debbie O’Dell Seneca (handled case) was going to help but couldn’t because it was a state offense. Two years ago he sent a Pardon application to then Governor Tom Ridges office and never received any response. In order for Mr. Sadler to continue his pursuit for a MBA, the Governor of Pennsylvania, Mark Schweiker, must pardon him. The Governor with the approval of at least three members of the Cabinet has the unfettered discretion to grant, at any time, for any reason a Full Pardon.Mr. Sadler doesn’t have the political or economical influences to do this on his own. So, in turn Mr. Sadler, and in support of his efforts, "The All New Wake Up Posse" of 102 Jamz, Orlando, FL. turns to the American people for help. Mr. David Sadler is asking Americans to sign this petition during his journey. This great fete set before Mr. Sadler is much larger than his own personal situation or agenda. Mr. Sadler is one of 4 million Americans who have lost the right to vote as well as other civil liberties that all Americans enjoy on a daily basis because of "Disenfranchisement." Mr. Sadler hopes to shed light on the impact of Disenfranchisement laws that were instituted between 1890-1910, which still affect 4 million Americans today, on his 51-city run/walk. A total of 3.9 million American adults or 2 percent of the eligible voting population is currently or permanently disenfranchised as a result of felony conviction. Florida and Texas each have disenfranchised more than 600,000 people. Nearly three-quarters (73%)of the disenfranchised are not in prison, but are on probation, parole or have completed their mandated sentence. 1.4 million of the disenfranchised are ex-offenders. One-third of all disenfranchised ex-felons (436,000) are in Florida. One million people of the disenfranchised were only sentenced to probation and not to prison.
The racial impact of disenfranchisement has left 13%, or 1.4 million, of black adult males denial of the right to vote based on criminal conviction. In 10 states, one in five adult black men are denied the right to vote on this basis. 31% of all African American men residing in Florida have lost the right to vote on criminal grounds.
Mr. Sadler is tired of running from the problem and is running toward the problem, facing it head on. Join us the "All New Wake Up Posse" on 102 Jamz, Orlando, FL. in wishing Mr. Sadler good luck and God-Speed.
