event
#FreeBillieAllen, The Art of Innocence
- This event has passed.
The resumption of executions at the Federal level in the United States puts many death row inmates at risk of death, particularly at the accelerated pace at which they are being pursued. Amnesty activists in New York City have formed a relationship with the family of Billie Allen, who is a federal death row inmate and an artist.
Join us for this event which will include a panel discussion from friends and family of those impacted by the death penalty, musical performances, poets and an art exhibition. It will showcase 23 years’ worth of powerful, thought-provoking, yet, diverse body of work by Billie Allen. who has been fighting a continuous battle to prove his innocence through the use of art by not only raising awareness about his case, but exposing the truth of the unjust and dehumanizing criminal justice system.
PLEASE JOIN US on 8/21/20 at the @PeoplesForumNYC Youtube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiS-lIVQZ-F8G_q80sfl3OA) to spread awareness + raise funds to bring Billie Allen home, innocent on death row for 23 years. AND PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION sign here: http://chng.it/ZqDG8MCd #AbolishDeathPenalty
ARTIST STATEMENT
Through art, Billie finds relief. Art is his voice, his eyes, and his hope. It is a mirror of his truth. It is the result of what happens when his emotions escape from the place within him, where he’s kept them prisoner. Their cries; some in pain, anger, resentment, frustration, and on rare occasions joy, will erupt onto paper, canvas, or whatever material that’s been chosen as the arena for their voices to be heard. The colors scream of the emotions that he has longed to set free! At times, his brushstrokes are calm, while at others, they are bold or wildly controlled, leaving an undeniable impression of a soul that has suffered, and somewhat shattered, but not yet broken, but barely holding together!
