Colossi of Menmon, The Nile - Evening
Narcisse Berchère (French, 1819-1891)
Cyntoia Brown Will Go Free in August, But There Are More Survivors Behind Bars Who Still Need Help
By Victoria Law
Brown isn’t alone. Hundreds—if not thousands—of violence survivors remain behind bars. Grassroots groups across the country have been organizing for years to get them free.
Tennessee advocates, including formerly incarcerated women, are celebrating Brown’s commutation. But they also told Rewire.News that they must continue fighting for other incarcerated survivors, whose names and stories often remain unknown. No one has tracked how many total survivors are incarcerated for self-defense or for acts related to their abuse. What is known is that approximately 33 percent of women have experienced physical violence at the hands of an intimate partner. That rate more than doubles to 77 percent among incarcerated women.
In New York, advocates launched #FreeThemNY, a clemency campaign for abuse survivors incarcerated in New York state. During this past election season, organizers have rallied outside Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s fundraising events, office, and home. Among the survivors who #FreeThemNY has highlighted is 36-year-old Patrice Smith, whose story bears striking similarities to that of Brown.
Grave of the Vampire (also known as Seed of Terror) will be released on Blu-ray on April 16 via Scream Factory. Extras are in progress and will be announced at a later date.
The 1972 horror film is written by The Sopranos creator David Chase, based on his novel The Still Life. John Hayes (Garden of the Dead) directs. William Smith, Michael Pataki, and Lyn Peters star.
