“You have already succeeded,” says advocate
Texas Voices for Reason and Justice, along with six other advocacy and activist organizations, gathered in Austin at the Capitol November 7 for a rally for criminal justice. Over 500 were in attendance with at least 100 being Texas Voices members.
The highlight of the rally was this speech given by Texas Voices’ founder and one of our first RSOL affiliate leaders, Mary Sue Molner.
I speak not for myself but for those without a voice… those who have been unnecessarily labeled for life. Currently, there are approximately 85,000 Texans listed on the public sex offender registry including children as young as 12 years old. The majority of registrants are not the dangerous monsters that they have been portrayed to be. They are our sons, our daughters, our husbands. Current laws that paint all registrants with one broad brush are counter-productive, wasteful, and cause needless harm. Laws and policies originally created to protect children have evolved into a modern day witch-hunt.
We stand united, facing the huge responsibility to change Texas into a state of humanity, common sense, redemption, and, most of all, justice.
Justice is not served by laws that ostracize and dehumanize entire families.
Justice is not served by punishing people long after their sentences are completed.
Justice is not served by laws that promote homelessness and unemployment for people with criminal histories.
Justice is not served by creating an atmosphere of hatred and fear.What has been created is a class of individuals that have been demonized and treated in such a way that a meaningful reintegration into society is impossible. Passing laws that are tough but counter-productive won’t solve the problem.
Continue to raise your voices for truth, honesty, compassion, common sense, and justice.
Don’t let anyone tell you that you won’t succeed in your advocacy work to create a better tomorrow. If your words and actions have created hope for the hopeless, strength for the weak, and light for those who live in darkness, you have already succeeded.
Good things come to those who wait… greater things come to those who get off their butts and do something to make it happen.
I think some of these meetings should be in Maine?
How about in the live free or die state (New Hampshire) where I just lost my job due to the sor federal rules and regulations. The company i worked for just did not want the hassle or the threat of calling their customers. So they fired me.
Ditto for Michigan, if they could do for MI what they’ve been doing for CA, It’d be a blessing
I’ve lived with this since 1994. I was a victim then because a family member was an idiot. One day. One mistake. Since I stayed with my spouse, I’ve been a victim of society and corporations. The police etc.. will tell you the idiot: your life is over”. They’ll tell you “Don’t put your family through this” in my case your not the one putting me through more hell. It’s the stupid SOR system. The Employee Background check that has a separate page listing sex offender background. The page that keeps you from being able to pay for our child’s education, wedding, needs. The system that will put the 1994 idiot in poverty soon. 2015. A system that destroys more lives. 0 forgiveness. 0 help.
Its Time to have a voice, Thanks to all in this and every such organization who actually understand the pressures of this out of control system that is run by unknown people who call themselves leaders. As A Nearly 20 year registrant I struggle with the thought my state says my misdemeanor charge would have been a Felony (in this State) and are calling me a lifetime registrant instead of the actual 20 year list sentence. I don’t know how to challenge them……………..
Mary Sue my hat goes off to you and your advocacy group. Your not only making a stand for the sex offender but all brothers and sisters that are caught up or have been involved in this ordeal. While there is good and bad in all people its change that makes the difference in peoples life’s. Jesus Christ is one of the best advocate’s and an advocate is someone who pleads for another. Now the sex offender is a sin issue so let your Christian Voice be heard. You see God will fight our battles for us but you see its always nice to know that people are out there if they just use Gods’ principals in daily life. Like the good book says. If you have God on your side who can be against you.
Maybe i was raised differently a live in an amazing community but nobody i know has this kind of trouble. I guess I have resources just in case.