Joan Baez with NCIP attorneys Maitreya Badami and Kelley Fleming. Photo: Maitreya Badami.
Legendary folk singer and human rights activist Joan Baez joined the fight against wrongful convictions, partnering with members of the Innocence Network on her latest concert tour.
The folk music icon was accompanied on her 20-city tour by volunteers from Innocence Network organizations across the country. On November 6th and 7th, Joan performed her tour finale at the Fox Theater in Oakland and invited members of the NCIP team and Network member organization, After Innocence, to join her. Joan spoke to concertgoers about NCIP client, Domingo Bustos Anaya, whose case is currently pending in court.
According to Baez, “I work best when there’s a goal aside from giving a concert … [I] hope to provide a platform which will amplify the heartbreaking stories of men and women wrongfully convicted, who suffer so needlessly.”
“I’m thrilled to lend my voice to such an important cause and help in the fight against wrongful convictions,” said Baez. “The fight against unlawful convictions shines a light on both a broken criminal justice system and the racial inequality of people serving time. I hope my audiences will be motivated to support their work.”
In December of 2016, Baez was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. She was the only woman among the inductees. We are grateful that she continues to lend her vision and voice to the innocence movement.
