#FREE RUDI GAMMO
Photographs of Rudi Gammo, his wife Vida Gammo, and their children.
RUDI'S STORY
In 2018, Rudi Gammo was sentenced to 5.5 years in state prison. His crime? Operating a city of Detroit-sanctioned medical dispensary, and allowing the caregivers who supplied the dispensary with medical marijuana to cultivate the plant in his homes.
The same year Rudi was sent to prison, Michigan residents voted to legalize adult-use marijuana. The state's adult-use cannabis marketplace has become a multi-billion dollar industry at the exact same time Rudi continues to languish behind bars.
In October of 2020, Rudi—a father of three—received a call that would change his life forever. His then six-year-old son Santino had been diagnosed with leukemia and would have to begin an intensive inpatient chemotherapy course. Weeks later, in yet another tragic twist of fate, Rudi—who suffers from chronic stomach ulcers and degenerative joint disease—was infected with COVID-19.
Earlier this year (and with the expressed support of Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald) Gammo’s legal team filed a motion requesting the court set aside his guilty pleas and/or re-sentence him. Despite Rudi’s clean record in prison, his well-developed post-release plan, and the supportive family and community waiting to welcome him home, that motion was tragically denied.
Fortunately, we have one last attempt to secure his freedom. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has the power to commute Rudi's sentence and allow Rudi to walk free and return home to his family. We encourage you to write, call and email Governor Whitmer and her Clemency Council and urge her to grant clemency to Rudi Gammo.
HOW TO HELP
Thanks to your tireless advocacy and support, Rudi Gammo’s clemency application is under consideration by the relevant state authorities. Now, we need Governor Whitmer to use her power to expedite Rudi’s release.
CALL GOVERNOR WHITMER'S OFFICE
(SAMPLE SCRIPT)
“Hello, my name is ______.
I’m calling in regards to Rudi Gammo (MDOC#312403), a Michigander currently incarcerated at Gus Harrison Correctional Facility in Adrian, Michigan due to a 2018 nonviolent cannabis-related conviction.
As many—including Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald (who has agreed to drop all of Rudi’s charges) have noted—the offenses Rudi is charged with are no longer considered felonies in the State of Michigan.
In light of the minor nature of Gammo's offenses, marijuana's current legality, as well as Rudi's exemplary record behind bars, I'm respectfully urging Governor Whitmer to use her authority to commute Rudi Gammo's sentence and allow him to return home to his loving family and supportive community.
Thank you so much for your time.
EMAIL GOVERNOR WHITMER'S OFFICE
(SAMPLE EMAIL)
Dear Governor Whitmer,
My name is ______ and I’m writing in regards to Rudi Gammo (MDOC#312403), a Michigander currently incarcerated at Gus Harrison Correctional Facility in Adrian, Michigan due to a 2018 nonviolent cannabis-related conviction.
As many—including Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald (who has agreed to drop all of Rudi’s charges) have noted—the offenses Rudi is charged with are no longer considered felonies in the State of Michigan.
In light of the minor nature of Gammo's offenses, marijuana's current legality, as well as Rudi's exemplary record behind bars, I'm respectfully urging Governor Whitmer to use her authority to commute Rudi Gammo's sentence and allow him to return home to his loving family and supportive community.
RUDI GAMMO IN HIS OWN WORDS
Rudi Gammo, alongside his wife Vida and LPP's ED and General Counsel Sarah Gersten, recently joined world-famous television host, actor and motivational speaker Montel Williams' podcast #LetsBeBlunt.
The conversation—which centers on Gammo's unjust sentence, how his incarceration has impacted his family, and why he hasn’t given up the fight for his early release—is not to be missed.
Click
here to listen.
AMPLIFY THE CALL TO
FREE RUDI GAMMO
The more people call on Governor Whitmer to release Rudi Gammo from incarceration, the more likely we are to see her use her power to commute his sentence. We urge you to share information about Rudi's case with your networks... and to use your social media accounts to urge Governor Whitmer and her aides to #FreeRudiGammo.
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