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What's going on at the Innocence Project last month?
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 Muhammad Aziz in a Manhattan courtroom on Nov. 18, 2021, with his Innocence Project attorneys Vanessa Potkin and Barry Scheck and Shanies Law attorney David Shanies. (Image: Jeenah Moon for Innocence Project)
Two Men Convicted of Malcolm X’s Assassination Are Finally Exonerated — Here’s Why That Matters
In 1966, Muhammad A. Aziz and the late Khalil Islam were wrongly convicted of assassinating Malcolm X. This month, 55 years after they were wrongly convicted, they were both finally exonerated. They spent a combined 42 years in prison. While their exonerations represent a critical acknowledgment of the errors and misconduct in their cases, there are other important unanswered questions about the assassination of Malcolm X. Take a minute to read through the story of this case, and then share it with your friends online.
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Pervis Payne hugs his attorney, federal defender Kelley Henry, after a judge formally removed him from death row. (Image: Laramie Renae/Innocence Project)
Pervis Payne Taken Off Death Row After Three Decades
Pervis Payne, a Black man with an intellectual disability, has been on death row in Tennessee for 33 years for a crime he’s always said he did not commit. For decades, Pervis and his family have lived with the constant threat of an impending execution. But this month, the Shelby County Criminal Court formally set aside his death sentence because Pervis’ intellectual disability makes it unconstitutional to execute him — and Pervis is now officially off death row. Read more about his case and the work that still needs to be done to ensure his freedom.
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 Julius Jones. (Image: Justice for Julius)
Gov. Stitt Grants Clemency for Julius Jones
Julius Jones was on death row for more than half his life for a crime he’s always said he didn’t commit. But earlier this month, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt commuted Julius’ sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole. We are all relieved that Julius will not be executed, but this decision will not immediately bring him home to his family — his fight for freedom is not over. Take some time today to learn more about Julius’ story and his continued fight for justice.
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 Jaythan Kendrick, who wrongfully spent 25
years in prison, celebrates his exoneration in Queens, N.Y., on Nov. 19, 2020. (Image: Ben Hider for AP Images/Innocence Project)
The Innocence Project’s 2020-2021 Annual Report
As the end of the year approaches, we’ve been reflecting on all the work we’ve accomplished together these last two years. With the support of our community of donors, activists, and co-counsel, the Innocence Project worked to free or exonerate 15 clients, pass 32 policy reforms across 21 states, and grow our community by 813,000. This is all thanks to people like you — so thank you, we are deeply grateful. Take a moment to read through all of these achievements in our annual report.
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Follow the Innocence Project on TikTok
This month, the Innocence Project is proud to participate in TikTok’s annual #GivingSzn. TikTok will be spotlighting us and other great causes throughout the month and we’re so grateful for the support of Tiktok and the many justice advocates on the platform. Don’t miss the new content we’ll be sharing there throughout the month. So if you aren’t already, be sure to follow @innocence on Tiktok!
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Exonerations Around the U.S.
Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project client David Morris was exonerated on Nov. 3, 2021, after spending 17 years wrongfully incarcerated. Innocence Project of Florida client Tony Hopps was exonerated on Aug. 23, 2021, after 31 years of wrongful incarceration.
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