Ohio Death Row Survivor Needs Your Help

We can’t stop working to help those in need. I am writing to offer you a unique opportunity to help.

“May you live in interesting times.”

Smile. We can make that a curse, for an opportunity. It will be interesting to see how far the corruption in Ohio politics goes and what the impact will be in our efforts to abolish the death penalty in our state. One thing is certain, however, we can’t stop working to help those in need. I am writing to offer you a unique opportunity to help.

In 2018, due to the amazing work of Ohio attorney Adele Shank, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the conviction and death sentence of Ahmad Issa. Issa was then offered a choice: Face a new trial and possible reconviction and death sentence, or plead guilty to a lesser offence and be released on time served. Being a Muslim from another country facing re-trial in Southwestern Ohio, Ahmad took the plea. With that he also agreed to not contest deportation, so after a stint in a not-so-nice county-based ICE facility, he is now living with his brother in Jordan. He arrived there late in 2019. The details, including a link to the order from the Sixth Circuit, are here​.

I saw a plea for support from a pen-pal of his, and took action. At this writing, 70 individuals have chipped in between $5 and $750, plus Amnesty International’s relief fund gave $2200, $100 for each of his 22 years of wrongful incarceration. We are approaching $7,000 on our goal is $22K — $1,000 for each of Ahmad’s 22 years in prison for something he did not do. My goal is to complete this project by July 31st. That’s in nine days including today.

Ahmad’s goal is to get his own place to live and the basics of life, and to buy a car so that he can start a self-sustaining business as a driver for hire (whatever Uber is in Jordan).

I invite YOU to click here to chip in something today, right now if possible​, and then to also share the opportunity with others in your network. If your place of business or your business associates might help, please don’t rob them of the opportunity by not sharing this with them.

Ours is a unique community. There are many many worthy causes, which makes this type of effort attractive only to the compassionate few who really get it. Therefore, I invite your support today. Here is the raw link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/22-years-on-death-row-he-didnt-do-it​

Feel free to call me at 561–371–5204 or e-mail me directly if you have any questions or concerns, or if you know others I should reach out to. Ideally, an introduction would be amazing.

Many thanks!

— abe

Abraham J. Bonowitz, Director

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