June 16 Victory Celebration Banquet

On Thursday, June 16, 2005, the David Wong Support Committee (DWSC) will celebrate the exoneration of David Wong from a wrongful murder conviction. This victory celebration will take place at Harmony Palace, 98 Mott Street, Chinatown, NYC, at 6:00PM. There will be honored guests and performances to commemorate this victory.

Tickets are $30.00 each and can be purchased through June 10, 2005 by mail. Write a check payable to "DWSC," indicate the number of tickets you are purchasing, and mail your check to DWSC, P.O. Box 525236, Flushing, New York 11352. Please also include a method of contact so we may confirm receipt of your check. Your tickets will be held at the door for you to pick up on the evening of the event. All other tickets can be purchased on the day of the event at Harmony Palace.

David Wong, a Chinese immigrant, was framed for a murder he did not commit, and served 12 extra years in state prison. On October 21, 2004, a five-judge panel of the NYS Appellate Division, Third Department, unanimously overturned the murder conviction and remanded the case for a new trial before Clinton County Court Judge Timothy Lawliss, who presided over David's evidentiary hearing. Judge Lawliss, a longtime friend and former business partner of Clinton County District Attorney Richard Cantwell, was forced to recuse himself from the case. On December 10, 2004, David's exoneration came to a climactic conclusion when DA Cantwell finally capitulated after Judge Lawliss' recusal and reluctantly dropped the case against David.

As new evidence brought forth the disturbing truth that this case was built on lies and that an innocent, vulnerable person was exploited because he was an immigrant, the case raised the question of whether the criminal justice system works for the poor, people of color, and immigrants. While putting a spotlight on the criminal justice system, the case also vindicated the work of those who supported David through years of unwavered resistance against this very same system.

However, there is another crucial phase to this fight before David is freed. David was transferred to a federal detention facility in Buffalo after his exoneration. He is now facing deportation, and the fight to free him must continue. The lessons of our victory, seldom experienced by our community, must be shared. Come celebrate and honor those who fought so hard and are still fighting for David's freedom.

EXONERATED BUT NOT FREE.
FREE DAVID WONG!

For information on the Celebration Banquet, please contact Jennifer Tsai, soyabi@hotmail.com or Wayne Lum, 347-400-1656