KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Midwest Innocence Project will go online this year for its annual fundraiser, as many organizations also mount virtual events during the pandemic.
Faces of Innocence is scheduled for Thursday, July 30.
"It’s going to be one of the coolest things ever. To have a virtual event, we can do it free and get everybody in Kansas City involved. They can watch and be a part of it and learn a lot. That’s the key is education. Educate, educate, educate, as much as you can to know what’s going on and how everything fits together," said former Kansas City Chief and Pro Football Hall of Famer Will Shields, who's serving as an honorary chair for the event.
The Midwest Innocence Project works to overturn wrongful convictions in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and Arkansas. This year's keynote speaker is Dr. Yusef Salaam of the Central Park Five.
"I think Dr. Salaam and all the folks of the exonerated five is a story that many are familiar with and horrified. Understandably horrified about. I don’t think people have made the connection it happens here in Kansas City, it happens in Wyandotte County, it happens in Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Arkansas, everywhere we work. To have him come here and say it is here, I think is a powerful message," said Tricia Rojo Bushnell, the Midwest Innocence Project's executive director.
The organization hopes to take advantage of the country's conversation on racial justice and criminal justice reform following weeks of protests after the death of George Floyd.
"Now, so many others are speaking that truth I think is making things happen around the country. As awful as it is, we need mass movement, the power of everyone coming together is so critical. The power of the timing and people can feel they’re making a difference and know they’re making a difference, that’s what matters," Bushnell said.
