FAMM Webby Submission: #FreeGwenLevi Campaign - FAMM

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In June, FAMM received a call that Gwen Levi, 76, was sent back to federal prison for failing to answer her phone during a computer class.  Levi, a grandmother and caretaker of her 94-year-old mother was one of 4,000 released from federal prison at the beginning of the pandemic to serve her time at home under the CARES Act confinement.

Levi, who served 16 years in prison, struggled with learning technology and wanted to gain new computer skills. The pandemic changed the world as she knew it. Levi was often called upon to join zoom meetings and participate in virtual convenings. Finding employment also was difficult for her because she did not understand the technology.

Although she received permission to take the class, she did hear her phone ring and missed the call from her halfway house. They labeled her an escapee and sent her back to prison.

The story was simply outrageous.

The FAMM Communications Team sprang into action and worked to make this a national story. The team masterminded the media and social media strategy that led to Gwen’s story being published and circulated by the Washington Post and the Shade Room and tweeted and posted by social influencers like Kim Kardashian. News spread to other organizations as well, and we collectively worked to elevate her story.

Fortunately for Gwen, her attorney had filed for compassionate release and was awaiting approval from her judge. Our collective actions elevated the issue and created an urgency that prompted swift action from the government, and Levi was freed.

YouTube Video: Free Gwen Levi

FAMM’s Paid Tweet:

Gwen Levi, 76, was making the most of her home confinement, reuniting with her 94-year-old mother, loving siblings, and children and grandchildren. Now she sits behind bars again, because she did not answer her phone during a computer class. #FreeGwenLevi #KeepThemHome

FAMM’s Non-Paid Tweets:

President Biden should use his clemency authority to #FreeGwenLevi and keep the 4,000 people on home confinement home with their families. #KeepThemHome

#BREAKING FAMM releases statement following compassionate release ruling for Gwen Levi #FreeGwenLevi #KeepThemHome

If you want to understand why Gwen Levi deserves early release now, read @FAMMFoundation President @KevinARing‘s letter to her judge. #FreeGwenLevi #KeepThemHome. READ: http://bit.ly/GwenLeviCR

#BREAKING GWEN LEVI IS COMING HOME. The judge has ordered her compassionate release. IMMEDIATE!!! Folks, the fight is NOT OVER. Let’s get the other 4,000 home permanently. #KeepThemHome

JUST IN!! Gwen’s reaction after being released from jail. Plus, she shares a special message with all of her supporters. cc: @realraystrick @WMAR2News #KeepThemHome #GwenIsFree

#BREAKING FAMM releases statement following compassionate release ruling for Gwen Levi#FreeGwenLevi #KeepThemHome https://t.co/f3N5XNtp4q

Kim Kardashian West (Tweets Action)

Help stop thousands of people on home confinement from being returned to federal prison!

Media Social 

Washington Post

A grandmother didn’t answer her phone during a class. She was sent back to prison. https://t.co/zwxSedZiVe

I was sent back to jail for going to a computer class. It’s time to act on home confinement, Gwen Levi writes. https://t.co/nssmxar2yM

The Cross Connection with Tiffany Cross (MSNBC)

76-year-old #GwenLevi is being sent back to prison after reportedly missing a phone call from officials charged with supervising her while she was taking a computer word-processing course. #CrossConnectionhttps://t.co/JzHU0s6tpt

Lawyer for #GwenCody @DecarcerateNow: “We are not having a serious conversation about justice and independence in America…there’s no crime that was committed here, but she’s still locked up.” #CrossConnection pic.twitter.com/9ABkVuXWO2

Ray Strickland with WMAR-2 News (Baltimore, MD)

#BREAKING: 76-year-old Gwen Levi who was sent back to prison for not answering her phone during a computer class will be released from prison. A judge has granted her compassionate release. @WMAR2News @FAMMFoundation has released the following statement: pic.twitter.com/zwRaSarpEp

Baltimore mayor @MayorBMScott issues statement on the release of Gwen Levi. pic.twitter.com/dPCfqtYNBE

Station’s Web Copy: https://www.wmar2news.com/news/local-news/76-year-old-grandmother-sent-back-to-prison-for-not-answering-phone-during-computer-class-her-attorney-claims

USA Today

Gwen Levi was one of 24,000 federal prisoners who were allowed to serve their sentence through home detention to slow the spread of COVID-19 behind bars. https://t.co/SVfXdQgKIb

Black News Channel

BNC EXCLUSIVE | #GwenLevi‘s son Craig Levi joins @yodittewolde on #MakingTheCase to shine a light on his mother, discussing the work she was doing while released, and who she is as a woman. pic.twitter.com/rR9yHzwWS8

Our #StartYourDay hosts @SharonReedLive + @ItsMikeHill talk about Gwen Levi being released from prison again. Mike says, “She should have never been violated in the first place.” Sharon says, “I applaud her release.” pic.twitter.com/5TltzmNd1X

UPDATE: 76-year-old #GwenLevi has been released after being given #compassionaterelease. If you recall, Levi was arrested last month after missing a phone call from her probation officer while she was in a computer class. #MakingTheCase @yodittewolde pic.twitter.com/0LKvUgjJ0K

Our #StartYourDay hosts @SharonReedLive + @ItsMikeHill talk about Gwen Levi being released from prison again. Mike says, “She should have never been violated in the first place.” Sharon says, “I applaud her release.” pic.twitter.com/5TltzmNd1X

#GwenLevi was granted #compassionaterelease on Tuesday. She joins #MakingTheCase to discuss the viral reaction to her case. “I was just trying to learn how to use the internet, to think that it would become my advocator… it’s just amazing. I’m amazed.” pic.twitter.com/nyRgi1rrnQ

Bossip

Really?! 76-Year-Old Gwen Levi Reincarcerated For Not Answering Phone In Class, Authorities Allege Elderly Black Woman ‘Could Have Been Robbing A Bank’ https://t.co/v1WaH49Xs9 pic.twitter.com/LprVZzh7A9

The Shaderoom

76-Year-Old Woman Jailed For Missing Probation Officer’s Phone Calls Is Granted Compassionate Release

A 76-Year-Old Woman On Probation Is Headed Back To Prison After Missing Calls From Her Probation Officials

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom)

Other Media Coverage

CNN Cuomo Show (Screenshot from FAMM President Kevin Ring)

#FreeGwenLevi #KeepThemHome pic.twitter.com/iaZknzvApy

The Grio

Madame Noire

A 76-year-old grandmother went back to jail for missing phone calls while in class. https://t.co/HPaHN7GV7W pic.twitter.com/H1VWk2jqgD

Apri Ryan

Inmates are being returned back to prison after the Biden @WhiteHouse won’t change Trump policy.

The @WashingtonPost has details on a 76-year-old grandmother who didn’t answer her phone during a class & has now been sent back to prison. #PrisonReformhttps://t.co/4IPMFbh2Cf

Roland S. Martin Unfiltered Daily Digital Show

76-year-old grandmother, Gwen Levi was released from prison after she was arrested for missing an officials’ phone call while in a computer class. WATCH #RolandMartinUnfiltered streaming LIVE on Facebook https://t.co/uHGatPyo7y YouTube https://t.co/R0FTfMkpnS

Community Orgs

Black Lives Matter DC

A grandmother didn’t answer her phone during a class. She was sent back to prison. #FreeHer #FreeGwenLevi #GwenLevi #FreeThemAll https://t.co/Xf16ZVEGkV

Color of Change

BREAKING NEWS: In just 4 days, almost 50K Color of Change members signed a petition to release #GwenLevi from prison. We are so happy to share that she is being sent home on compassionate release! pic.twitter.com/CwEur91nwg

We are calling on @POTUS to grant clemency for the 4,500 people on home confinement at risk of being sent back to prison after the pandemic is declared over. #GwenLevi has already been sent back to a cage on a technicality while we wait. We need action now https://t.co/z4vvMeUYEi pic.twitter.com/WHCL7GEUFG

ACLU

After serving for 16 years, Gwen Levi was allowed to finish the rest of her sentence in home confinement.

She attended a computer class — and was sent back to prison. https://t.co/AgnDJW61sn

Justice Policy

A grandmother didn’t answer her phone during a class. She was sent back to prison.

Gwen Levi, 76, was one of about 4,500 federal incarcerated individuals sent to home confinement last year to protect them from contracting the coronavirus. @washingtonpost https://t.co/WfKcTguxCj

NACDL

A grandmother didn’t answer her phone during a class. She was sent back to prison. @justinwmmoyer @neenareports @washingtonpost https://t.co/TSPvQaXABA

Reform

Gwen Levi, a 76-year old grandmother was being sent back to prison for not answering her phone. Thanks to like the @FAMMFoundation, Gwen was able to go home. This is a reminder that there are still 4K others who are facing the possibility of being sent back to prison. pic.twitter.com/FwjmQF2e66

The National Council

#gwenlevi is OUR sister & @thecouncilus will ALWAYS stand w/her!
.
Please sign https://t.co/11r3r8Z1OJ TODAY. @POTUS must act now and stop relying on the Trump DOJ! Tell him to use his power to grant clemency for Gwen Levi and thousands more at risk of being sent back to prison! pic.twitter.com/9AiBfd8wcg

If you have any questions, please contact Alexis Mitchell at amitchell@famm.org.