The Road to Exoneration: A Discussion with the Exonerated Five

515 Malcolm X Boulevard,New York NY 10037

19 December, 2022

Description

Twenty years ago, on December 19, 2002 five men who were wrongfully convicted of a violent assault in Central Park in 1989 were exonerated of charges brought against them as children. The "Central Park Five" as they were known, were Black and Latino teenagers from the Harlem community. To mark the 20th anniversary of that court decision, the Schomburg Center is hosting this conversation with members of the Central Park Exonerated Five: Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana Jr., Kevin Richardson and Korey Wise, moderated by Brian Jones and Tahanie Aboushi. As youths they served their sentences, between 6 and 13 years before another man admitted to the crime, later confirmed by DNA evidence. The experience not only impacted the lives of the youth and their families but had resounding ramifications throughout the Harlem community and beyond. To honor their legacy of resiliency and pursuit of social justice, on the morning of December 19 the entrance gate to Central Park at 110th Street will be renamed the Gate of the Exonerated. Speakers will include members of the Exonerated Five: Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana Jr., Kevin Richardson, and Korey Wise. Moderators will be Tahanie Aboushi, Esq., civil rights lawyer, partner at The Aboushi Law Firm, and secretary of Community Board 10, and Dr. Brian Jones, director of the Center for Educators & Schools, The New York Public Library, and author of the recently released book, "The Tuskegee Student Uprising: A History." Dr. Yusef Salaam has also authored a recent book, "Better, Not Bitter." Introductory remarks will be provided by Cicely Harris, chairperson, Community Board 10. This event is organized in partnership with Central Park Conservancy, Community Board 10, and Justice 4 the Wrongfully Incarcerated. Photo credit: Micaiah Carter, for Town and Country, @micaiahcarter. PUBLIC NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER IN-PERSON | By registering for this event, you are acknowledging that an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. By attending an in-person program at The New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and agree not to hold The New York Public Library, its Trustees, officers, agent and employees liable for any illness or injury. If you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or suspect you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, please stay home. FIRST COME, FIRST SEATED Events are free and open to all, but due to space constraints registration is requested. Registered guests are given priority check-in 15 to 30 minutes before start time. After the event starts all registered seats are released regardless of registration, so we recommend that you arrive early. GUESTS Please note that holding seats in the Langston Hughes Auditorium is strictly prohibited and there is no food or drinks allowed anywhere in the Schomburg Center. AUDIO/VIDEO RECORDING Programs are photographed and recorded by the Schomburg Center. Attending this event indicates your consent to being filmed/photographed and your consent to the use of your recorded image for any all purposes of The New York Public Library. PRESS Please send all press inquiries (photo, video, interviews, audio-recording, etc.) at least 24-hours before the day of the program to Leah Drayton at [email protected]. Please note that professional video recordings are prohibited without expressed consent.