John,

May marks Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time when we collectively recognize and celebrate the contributions and achievements of the AAPI community.

Asian Americans, who make up just 1% of people who have been exonerated, face unique challenges in the criminal legal system — from overt racism to language barriers to lack of community support.

The needs and experiences of this community are often overlooked and ignored because of the “model minority” myth, a stereotype that all AAPI people demonstrate high academic and economic achievement. The reality is that they face the same social barriers as other minorities.

Asian American legal scholar Robert S. Chang writes that “the portrayal of Asian Americans as successful permits the general public, government officials, and the judiciary to ignore or marginalize the contemporary needs of Asian Americans.” 

This month, we want to highlight the stories of four wrongly convicted Asian Americans: Chol Soo Lee, Han Tak Lee, Frances Choy, and Kin-Jin “David” Wong.  

Please take a moment to learn more about their journeys, and then share their stories with your friends and family on social media so their experiences are recognized.

Thank you so much for your support,

— The Innocence Project