I hope that the longer the viewer looks at the piece, the more Rocky’s story unravels, revealing the true injustice of keeping Rocky imprisoned. More importantly, I hope that if Rocky ever sees this piece, it reminds him of home.
Jasmin Smith
Write for Rights is honored to present ‘Outside Walls‘ and ‘Rapid Over Jagged Rocks’, an evocative blend of art and poetry created by Amnesty member, Jasmin Smith, in solidarity with Rocky Myers, a Black man with an intellectual disability who has endured three decades on death row in Alabama despite a deeply flawed trial and conviction process.
“Outside Walls” is a piece speaking to the freedom of the everyday world, and the liberty of being able to create identity and belonging in spite of societal obstacles. I use birds, stuffed bears, and elephants to depict the connection between Rocky and his four children, who have all been supportive in the call for Rocky’s freedom. The piece also depicts New Jersey, Rocky’s home, on sheet music for Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going on?’, a song about racial injustice and discrimination, capturing the inequitable conditions of Rocky’s imprisonment and his own personal passion for music. Rocky’s musical passion is also depicted through the drum, mixing with Christian imagery to capture the importance of faith in Rocky’s life.
Made in tandem with a speculative poem about death penalty victims, “Rapid Over Jagged Rocks,” the piece speaks on the mourning that accompanies incarceration. Decision-makers discuss the death penalty as though it is a finite end, and “Outside Walls” engages with this conversation by highlighting the personal worlds that the carceral system will never be able to erase.
I hope that the longer the viewer looks at the piece, the more Rocky’s story unravels, revealing the true injustice of keeping Rocky imprisoned. More importantly, I hope that if Rocky ever sees this piece, it reminds him of home.”
– Jasmin Smith
Help Stop Rocky’s Execution
Sign the Petition Urging the Governor of Alabama to Grant Clemency to Rocky Myers
Write to the Governor of Alabama
- Tell the Governor something about yourself to make this a personal letter
- Tell her what shocks you about the case of Rocky Myers
- Tell her why you think it’s important that the government respect and uphold the right to life
- Urge her to use her power as Governor of Alabama to grant clemency to Rocky Myers and commute his death sentence
Address your letters to:
Governor of Alabama
Office of the Governor of Alabama
600 Dexter Avenue
Montgomery, AL 36130
USA
Salutation: Dear Governor
Email: info@governor.alabama.gov
Take Rocky Myers on a World Tour
Rocky is locked in a cell with no windows, but he loves getting mail and pictures of beautiful postcards from all around the world. Send Rocky Myers your best travel postcard, photos of your hometown, drawings of where you go on holiday or places/events you love such as festivals, a theatre play, etc. Include a short message to describe the location, why you love that location, or some interesting facts about it. Some tips:
- Please include visual components. Remember, Rocky has a hard time reading, so keep your messages simple and use clear handwriting. Please write the message in English or provide an English translation if you write your message in another language.
- Choose postcards and words that are respectful, not trivial or with explicit or graphic content.
- Avoid messages or images that focus on life, death or the death penalty.
- Please make sure that your messages do not endorse any particular religion.
Address your postcards to:
Rocky Myers, AIS 0000Z563
Holman Correctional Facility, M-44
Holman 3700 866
Ross Road
Atmore, AL 36503
USA
Note: Please add your full address to ensure the prison authorities allow Rocky to receive his mail.
Write or Pitch an Article
Use local or student newspapers as platforms to shed light on Rocky’s case. Writing or pitching an article can significantly broaden the reach of this campaign, informing others of the injustice and how they can contribute to the movement.
Launch a ‘drumathon’
In honor of Rocky Myers’ love for playing drums in his local church, we encourage you to launch a “drumathon” on social media. Share a video of yourself playing drums, tag Governor Ivey and encourage others to join in!
Create a “Justice for Rocky” Flag
Show your solidarity by creating a flag or banner with the message “Justice for Rocky.” Be sure to include your municipality and country to demonstrate the global support for Rocky’s case. Share images of your flag on social media, further amplifying the call for justice.
