Former Prisoner speaks about racism and disabilism in the justice system

10/12: event cancelled due to illness Almost 4 years of incarceration because of self-defense! Thanks to his mother, family, San Francisco Bay View newspaper, Poor Magazine, journalist Leroy Moore and others, Michael is free to tell his story and continue with his music career!

Background: On June 16, 1997 Michael, a young, disabled African American man was on his way to pick up his mother from work when he was attacked by 2 armed men. The real tragedy began with the investigation and trial. Although the DA and police initially cleared Michael of any charges, months later he was arrested, accused—and convicted-- of murder, and ended up serving almost 4 years in prison for what comes down to self-defense. Michael, like so many other Black men, faced a justice system filled with racism and disablism.

Michael was finally released in December of 2003 after a new judge overturned his original conviction. During the 4 years Michael was in prison, the Manning family received very little support from their community and no media attention. The work of the San Francisco Bay View Newspaper, KPFA Radio and Poor Magazine helped win Michael’s freedom by publicizing his story. /> for info: call

Leroy Moore

(510) 649-8438 or

email: sfdamo@yahoo.com