What is Wrongful Conviction Day?
Wrongful Conviction Day is an international day to raise awareness of the causes and remedies of wrongful conviction and to recognize the tremendous personal, social, and emotional costs of wrongful conviction for innocent people and their families.
Wrongful Conviction Day began as an effort of the Innocence Network, an affiliation of organizations dedicated to providing pro bono legal and investigative services to individuals seeking to prove innocence of crimes for which they have been convicted, working to redress the causes of wrongful convictions, and supporting the exonerated after they are freed. This is the fifth annual day.
Get Involved
The Innocence Network will be hosting events worldwide on Wrongful Conviction Day. Moreover, plans are in the works for a Twitter Takeover and a schedule of Facebook Live events to happen throughout the day. Check back as we get closer to Wrongful Conviction Day to find out how you can get involved.
Spread the Word
NBA Coaches and Players PSAs
Watch Wrongful Conviction Day videos from NBA Coaches and Players. View Here.Share Our Photos & Graphics
We created Wrongful Conviction Day graphics to share on social media. You can find them here.Change Your Facebook Profile
We created a Wrongful Conviction Day overlay for your social media profiles. Check it out here.Innocence Network Member Resources
Innocence Network Member interested in promoting your own event? Find some resources here (password required).Find An Event Near You
2018 events coming soon!7 Stages Theater Marquee
#WrongfulConvictionDay and “learn more @gainnocence” displayed on the theater marquee October 2
Arizona Justice Project Panel Discussion
Monday October 2, ASU Law School
Beus Center for Law & Society 5th Floor, Room 544
5:30 – 7:30pm: Program
7:30 – 8:30pm: Refreshments
Hear from various members of the criminal justice community on wrongful convictions, how they occur, and what we can do to help prevent them from happening.
RSVP to info@azjusticeproject.org by Friday, September 29
Online Signed Book Giveaway
All Day, October 2. Copies of “Ghost of the Innocent Man” about exoneree Willie Grimes signed by the author given away on http://www.nccai.org/ and on North Carolina Center on Actual Innocence’s social media.
Facebook Live Conversation with Seth Miller
October 2, 1:00 EST, tune in on Innocence Project of Florida’s Facebook page.
Wrongful Conviction Day Symposium
October 2, 1:00-5:00, Wake Forest University, Three panel discussions featuring Mark Rabil, Director of the Wake Forest Innocence and Justice Clinic; Maddy DeLone, Executive Director of the Innocence Project; Greg Newburn, of Families Against Mandatory Minimums; and Wakeforest Prof. Kami Chavis, former US Attorney.
Exoneree Band Performance
October 2, 5:00-8:00, Century Ballroom, Innocence Project Northwest presents a performance of the Exoneree Band. Buy tickets here.
Panel Discussion
October 4, University of Washington, panel discussion with Innocence Project Northwest and Witness to Innocence.
Oklahoma Innocence Project Fish Fry
October 7, 4:00-8:00
Oklahoma City Skydance Bridge Lighting
The Skydance Bridge will be lit on October 2nd, rotating white and yellow light in honor of Wrongful Conviction Day.
Panel on Wrongful Convictions
October 2 at 12:00, Loyola Law School, Robinson Court Room. Speakers from Loyola Project for the Innocent, Death Penalty Focus, and Kaye McLane Bednarski & Litt LLP
Celebration of Exonerees
October 2 at 5:00, Loyola Law School, Burns Lounge, an all-exoneree panel will discuss their experiences with wrongful conviction.
Panel Discussion
October 4, University of Alaska Anchorage
Wrongful Conviction Day Happy Hour
October 12th from 5-7 PM
Dempsey’s Food and Spirits 346 S High St, Columbus, OH 43215
The Wrongful Conviction Project will be collaborating with Goddesses for Good – Columbus and the Ohio ACLU. WCP hopes to raise awareness about the role that race plays in the criminal justice system by sharing information from the Race and Wrongful Convictions in the United States report that was produced by the National Registry of exonerations. Donations will be accepted at the door with the proceeds going to the Ohio ACLU.
Netflix Series ||Confession Tapes|| Screening
October 2 11:30-1:30, Univeristy of Hawai’i Law School. The Hawai’i Innocence Project presents discussion featuring a Hawai’i Innocence Project exoneree followed by a screening of the first episode of the new Netflix series “Confession Tapes.”
Wrongful Conviction Day Art Installation
October 2 8:00-4:00, yellow birds with the name of each person exonerated in the US in 2016 will be displayed in the area between the University of Hawai’i Law School and the Law Library, presented by the Hawai’i Innocence Project.
Flag Installation and Photo Booth
On October 2, all day, University of Illinois Springfield campus, Illinois Innocence Project presents a installation of flags on the lawn representing all exonerees nationwide and an “I Stand With the Innocent” photo booth.
Panel Discussion: Wrongful Convictions, the Death Penalty, and Reforming the Justice System in California
October 2 at 1:00, 350 Cedar Street, Lecture Hall 2, San Diego, CA 92101, Discussion moderated by Greg Moran and panelists including Alan Gimenez of the California 12, exoneree Luis Vargas, and Director of the California Innocence Project Justin Brooks
Massachusetts Wrongful Conviction Day
Massachusetts Wrongful Conviction Day
October 2, 11:00-2:00
State House, The Great Hall, Boston
Please join the Committee for Public Counsel Services, the CPCS Innocence Program, the New England Innocence Project, the Harvard Criminal Justice Policy Program, and the Boston College Innocence Program to find out why Wrongful Convictions happen, how they can be prevented, and how to better assist exonerees.
Rialto Center for the Arts Marquee
#WrongfulConvictionDay and “learn more @gainnocence” displayed on the theater marquee October 2
Panel Discussion - Prosecutorial Misconduct: A Major Cause of Wrongful Conviction
October 2 at 5:15 Tudor Room Preston Hall of Pace University, 78 North Broadway, White Plains, NY 10603. Panel discussion on prosecutorial misconduct featuring Bill Bastuak, Jeffrey Deskovic, and Bennett Gershman. RSVP to wrongfulconvictionday2017@gmail.com
CN Tower Toronto Lighting
Landmark illumination in honor of Wrongful Conviction Day.
Mississauga Clock Tower Lighting
Landmark illumination in honor of Wrongful Conviction Day.
Niagra Falls Lighting
Landmark illumination in honor of Wrongful Conviction Day.
Toronto City Hall Tower Lighting
Building illumination in honor of Wrongful Conviction Day.
Edmonton High Level Bridge Lighting
Bridge lighting in honor of Wrongful Conviction Day.
University of Calgary Stadium Lighting
Lighting at McMahon Stadium in honor of Wrongful Conviction Day.
Vancouver City Hall Lighting
Landmark illumination in honor of Wrongful Conviction Day.
Peace Bridge Lighting
Bridge lighting in honor of Wrongful Conviction Day.
Ryerson Image Arts Building Lighting
Building lighting in honor of Wrongful Conviction Day.
Reconciliation Bridge Lighting
Bridge lighting on October 3rd in honor of Wrongful Conviction Day.
Lethbridge City Hall Lighting
Building lighting on October 3rd in honor of Wrongful Conviction Day.
London City Hall Lighting
Building lighting in honor of Wrongful Conviction Day.
London Convention Center Lighting
Building lighting in honor of Wrongful Conviction Day.
J. Allyn Taylor Building Lighting
Landmark lighting in honor of Wrongful Conviction Day.
Walter J. Blackburn Memorial Fountain Lighting
Fountain lighting in honor of Wrongful Conviction Day.
London Life Insurance Company Building Lighting
Building lighting in honor of Wrongful Conviction Day.
Sifton Properties Building Lighting
Building lighting in honor of Wrongful Conviction Day.
Mid-Hudson Bridge Lighting
Bridge lighting in honor of Wrongful Conviction Day.
Witness to Innocence Panel with Dr. Katherine Beckett & Innocence Project Northwest
ROOM 138 at the UW School of Law (located in William H. Gates Hall near the northwest corner of the University of Washington campus near the intersection of 15th Avenue NE and NE 43rd Street). Link to directions: https://www.law.washington.edu/about/direction/default.aspx
Witness to Innocence: The Death Penalty and Race
Gonzaga’s Department of Philosophy and Center for Public Humanities host a panel discussion of two death row exonerees from Witness to Innocence. Wednesday, October 4 at 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
Surviving Death Row: Exonerees Tell Their Stories
The Department of Philosophy & Religious Studies at Central Washington University will be hosting a panel of exonerated death row survivors who will speak about their experiences on death row and their transition back into society after being released.Tuesday, October 3 at 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM PDT.
Seattle Reception in support of Witness to Innocence
Please join us on Sunday October 1st in Seattle for a reception supporting the work of Witness to Innocence & exonerated death row survivors. Please RSVP by 9/29 at the ticket link!
Compensation Bill Introduced
Ohio Rep. Bill Seitz introduced legislation that ensures that people who were wrongfully convicted based on prosecutors withholding evidence are eligible for state compensation
Wrongful Conviction Day with IPNO
Join Innocence Project New Orleans on October 2nd to stand against wrongful convictions this #WrongfulConvictionDay!
Our friends at The Joint are generously donating 15% of sales from 5pm-8pm to IPNO so come on out for some great barbecue and drinks.
View Facebook event here.
Forum on Montfils 6 Case
October 2 from 11:30-12:30
Hamline University, Center for Law and Justice, West Hall
The Innocence Project of Minnesota and Hamline University’s Center for Justice and Law will host a forum on the Monfils 6 case that will highlight the case and how to be a successful citizen advocate for the wrongfully convicted. This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
Wrongful Conviction Day Lecture
October 2, 10:00-10:50 am
Johnson County Community College, Craig Community Auditorium (GEB 233)
The Midwest Innocence Project Director will discuss how a wrongly convicted prisoner is eventually exonerated.
Innocence Canada Wrongful Conviction Day Event and Reception
Monday, October 2, 2017 – 5:30 pm , Innocence Canada will be hosting its WCD Event and Reception at the Law Society of Upper Canada.
“Wrongful Conviction Day is not only important for wrongly convicted people, like myself, but for all people globally. It is a reminder that grave miscarriages of justice occur. It reinforces the fact that organizations such as Innocence Canada are a fundamental part of the criminal justice system.” – Maria Shepherd
Restaurant Benefit for the West Virginia Innocence Project
October 2, all day. Eat at one of the following restaurants and a portion of your meal will go to support the West Virginia Innocence Project.
Chipotle or Panera (flyer required), Tin 202 and Table 9 (no flyer required)