John Thompson Legacy Center opens on 9/6 in the former Resurrection After Exoneration space
The John Thompson Legacy Center (JTLC) officially opened on September 6, John Thompson’s birthday. John Thompson (JT) was a fierce advocate for criminal justice reform, whose work was informed by the 18 years he spent wrongly incarcerated. After his release from prison, JT founded Resurrection After Exoneration (RAE) which served returning citizens and other people impacted by the criminal legal system. The JTLC is housed in the former RAE space at 1212 St. Bernard Ave in New Orleans.
The JTLC is a living legacy of JT’s work, built to continue his vision and passion for working with people most hurt by the criminal legal system. This project brings together those who loved RAE under the leadership of John Thompson’s widow, Laverne Thompson to create a space to support those most impacted by the criminal legal system and help them to thrive.
“Building upon the legacy of founder John Thompson… [The JTLC] and its partner organizations, will continue the important work of providing education and services to returning citizens, as well as alternatives to incarceration for those facing the criminal punishment system.”
The JTLC is now available to rent to community members. People and organizations who work with communities impacted by the criminal legal system are especially welcome at the JTLC. For more information about reserving the space contact Hardell Ward at hward@defendla.org or 504-381-5758.
Vision for the John Thompson Legacy Center
JT’s widow, Laverne Thompson, giving a speech during the JTLC soft opening.
The multi-use space will function to bring people together for services targeted at healing the community such as expungement clinics, post incarceration medical and addiction services, and job skills development. The space will also serve as a resources to families torn apart by incarceration by, for example, providing kiosk access for families to communicate with loved ones, and virtual spaces to participate in parole hearings.
The building will host art installations and archives of the work of John Thompson and others whose legacies and teachings are integral to understanding and building a way forward particularly in moments when communities are focusing on safety.
It will also include The Abolitionist’s Apothecary & Sanctuary, a project that utilizes a plant-powered approach to abolition by growing healing plant medicine and providing workshops to folx who are directly impacted by the criminal punishment system. The workshops explore the ways that plants teach us about abolition and the multitude of ways the natural world can provide the roadmap to collective liberation.
About John Thompson (JT) and Resurrection After Exoneration:
JT was a force of nature whose compassion and love transformed everyone he met. JT spent 18 years incarcerated for a crime he didn’t commit, including 14 years on death row. He was exonerated of all charges in 2003. JT used his experience as an exoneree to transform the lives of others impacted by the criminal legal system.
JT’s work and advocacy was focused on: Ending the barbaric death penalty; Holding unethical prosecutors accountable; Fairly compensating exonerees; and Expanding educational and economic resources for poor communities. He built Resurrection After Exoneration (RAE) to fulfill this vision.