Friends --
Today we celebrate the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincolnâs birth. While most people know that Lincoln freed the slaves and saved the Union, many donât know that he was also one of the most generous presidents when it came to granting pardons and commutations.
In one term, Lincoln granted almost 400 commutations and pardons. Lincoln gave clemency to everyday offenders, Southern sympathizers, draft dodgers, and wrongfully-charged Indians. He had a weakness for weeping mothers who, in those days, could walk right into the White House and beg for mercy for their sons at the presidentâs knee. As many of you know from personal experience, itâs not so easy to get a clemency request into the White House today, and it is much harder to get one granted.Â
Lincoln also used clemency strategically, to inspire Congress to act. At the end of the war, he pardoned ex-Confederates as a way of telling Congress to put differences aside and start rebuilding the country.Â
Join us today in asking President Obama to do as Lincoln did: to grant clemency generously and strategically. By doing so, he will send a strong message to Congress that mandatory minimum sentencing laws are undermining American principles of justice and must be changed. President Obama needs to know how much normal, everyday offenders and their families are counting on clemency, so help FAMM by writing to him now!  Click here to send a letter or email to President Obama.
My best,
Julie
Julie Stewart
President
Families Against Mandatory Minimums
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