Anthony Papa

Anthony Papa (born June 6, 1960 in New York City) is an artist, author, advocate against the war on drugs and co-founder of the Mothers of the New York Disappeared.

Biography

15 to Life, published in 2004, is an autobiographical account of Papa's experience with the New York criminal justice system and anti-narcotics laws under which he was sentenced to fifteen years to life imprisonment for a first time drug offense. New York's strict drug laws, enacted during the term of former governor Nelson Rockefeller, and now known as the Rockefeller drug laws are among the toughest in the United States. The possession of four ounces or more of such drugs as heroin and cocaine — or the sale of two ounces or more of the same substances — carried the same penalties as those imposed for second-degree murder. (The laws were revised in 2004/2005.[1]) The book 15 to Life is currently being transformed into a major film as reported by Variety.[2]

As reported by Juan Gonzalez of the New York Daily News, Papa had enjoyed a middle-class life as an owner of an auto-repair and radio business prior to his arrest. According to this account, he was a family man and had never been in trouble with the law. But when a member of Papa's bowling team offered Papa "some easy money" for delivering an envelope of cocaine to the town of Mount Vernon, New York, "Papa foolishly agreed". As it happened, the courier who gave him the envelope was an undercover police informant and when Papa delivered the 4.5 ounces of coke he was promptly arrested.

Following his conviction for sales and possession, Papa was sentenced to one 15-to-life sentence. Papa served 12 years in Sing Sing before Governor George Pataki granted him clemency in 1996. During his imprisonment, Papa earned two bachelor's degrees and a master's from the New York Theological Seminary. In prison he discovered his artistic talent, and used his art to figuratively paint his way to freedom some when his famous self-portrait "15 to Life" was exhibited at the Whitney Museum of American Art[3] which led to a flood of media attention.[4]

After his release Papa tried his hand at acting on HBO's Oz and has appeared in several films.[5] Papa went on a rescue mission to save others he left behind that were sentenced under the draconian drug laws and founded The Mothers of the New York Disappeared in 1997 (along with Randy Credico), and this group became the leading activist entity against the Rockefeller Drug Laws. Papa continued his advocacy to reform the drug laws of the United States currently works for Drug Policy Alliance as the manager of Media Relations. He continues to use the arts as an effective tool to fight for those less fortunate.[6][7] His stinging op-ed's can be found in regional papers across the United States[8] and his advocacy for drug law reform has been covered by national magazines such Time magazine.[9]

On March 7, 2009 after years of advocating for meaningful reform of the Rockefeller Drug laws Gov. Paterson signed into law sweeping revisions leaving Papa vindicated.[10]

Papa then appeared with Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter in Quebrando o Tabu (2011) a film released in Brazil about the global war on drugs directed by Fernando Grostein Andrade and produced by Luciano Huck. The film was then re-released under the name of "Breaking the Taboo" when Sam Branson (son of Richard Branson of Virgin)partnered with Andrade. The film, narrated by Morgan Freeman premiered in London and New York and has made a huge impact around the world. http://www.youtube.com/user/breakingthetaboofilm

References

  1. ↑ http://www.drugpolicy.org/statebystate/newyork/rockreform/
  2. ↑ McNary, Dave (March 24, 2009). "Producers lock up prison memoir: Variety alum Mike Jones to pen '15 to Life'". Variety. Retrieved 2012-12-08.
  3. ↑ "Welcome to the Art of Anthony Papa". 15yearstolife.com. Retrieved 2012-12-08.
  4. ↑ Papa, Anthony (February 3, 2012). "How Mike Kelley Helped Me Paint My Way Out of a Prison Cell". Artinfo. Retrieved 2012-12-08.
  5. ↑ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3128195/
  6. ↑ Papa, Anthony (August 21, 2008). "Unlocking the Power of Art to Counter Injustice". Alternet. Retrieved 2012-12-08.
  7. ↑ "Anthony Papa: Country in Distress: The Upside Down Flag". Huffington Post. August 9, 2007. Retrieved 2012-12-08.
  8. ↑ http://www.drugpolicy.org/library/staffwritten/papa.cfm
  9. ↑ Gray, Madison (August 17, 2007). "Mandatory Sentencing: Stalled Reform". Time. Retrieved 2012-12-08.
  10. ↑ Ballvé, Marcelo (March 27, 2009). "Tony Papa's Vindication: NY Reforms Rockefeller Drug Laws". New America Media. Retrieved 2012-12-08.

External links

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