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The past year has been packed with tremendous momentum and support. The Free Ross movement keeps growing every day. Check this page regularly for updates. #FreeRoss!

Keep Ross in Your Thoughts!

We are devastated that Ross’s death-in-prison sentence was not commuted entirely, or at least reduced. We have received so many messages of support and encouragement these past days, thank you all. We will never give up on Ross and will keep fighting.

Below is an update from Ross:

“The higher the hope, the greater the disappointment, and our hopes were sky high for a commutation of sentence. What now? I don’t know. I’m still reeling. Through the tears and the pain, I have little glimpses of perspective, peace and serenity. I know I’ll be okay.”
– Ross Ulbricht

Ross’s Vision for the Future

Ross shared his peaceful vision for the future in a 2012 candid interview with a longtime friend. Does this sound like a man who should die in prison?

More than ever, we fervently hope and pray for a commutation of Ross’s sentence.”

“I want to have had a substantial, positive impact on the future of humanity by that time.” – Ross Ulbricht (2012)

Nearly all Silk Road Defendants now free

We have learned that:
– Jan Slomp was released from prison on 10/29/20.
– Carl Mark Force (corrupt federal agent) was released on 10/09/20.
– Shaun Bridges (second corrupt agent) only has 10 months left to serve.

This means that nearly all the Silk Road defendants are now free.

When will it be Ross’s turn?

(source: BOP Inmate Locator)

 

In December 2020, programmer Michael Weigand was sentenced to 8 months in prison for his role as a “key player” in the “creation and operation” of Silk Road. He was prosecuted in the Southern District of New York (SDNY), just like Ross was.

Such sentencing disparity between similar defendants is a terrible miscarriage of justice.

More support

“I have endorsed Ross Ulbricht’s full commutation, and I am hopeful that the President will commute his sentence in its entirety.”
– Weldon Angelos. Criminal Justice Reform Advocate. Founder, The Weldon Project

Check out our Widespread Support page.

Students for Liberty Calls for Ross’s Clemency

Students for Liberty, the largest pro-liberty student organization in the world, is “emphatically” asking President Trump to grant Ross clemency. SFL is a longtime supporter of our efforts.

“Currently, after having served over 2,640 days, Ross is scheduled to die in prison, even though he is a first-time offender with non-violent charges.”

Did you know? Ross is an alumnus of Students For Liberty. He attended one of SFL’s early conferences in 2008, shortly after the organization was founded.

Why Ross Ulbricht Deserves Clemency NOW

Lyn Ulbricht presents some of the many reasons why Ross deserves a second chance. His clemency is widely supported:
– 130 fellow prisoners signed a letter asking the president to free Ross.
– Over 250 organizations and imminent individuals have voiced support.
– Over 375,000 have signed Ross’s clemency petition.

“He was never prosecuted for killing or injuring anyone. No victim was named at trial…An idealistic libertarian in his twenties, he wanted to provide a free market experience…Even though Ross did not have contact with any items sold on the site, he was held responsible for all of it.”

Spike Cohen Discusses Ross’s Clemency

Spike Cohen, the 2020 Libertarian Party VP candidate, joined ‘Kennedy’ last night. They discussed Ross’s case and the support for his clemency.

“Ross Ulbricht, this is one that I would love to see get even more traction…Mr. President, please go ahead and commute Ross Ulbricht’s sentence.”
– Lisa Kennedy Montgomery. Host, Kennedy Show

Ron Paul Speaks Against Ross’s Sentence

Yesterday on his Liberty Report, Ron Paul spoke against Ross’s shocking over-sentencing and voiced support for his clemency.

“Ross Ulbricht…When you read his history, you find out he is not a vicious criminal and he has two life sentences and never committed a violent crime!…I would pardon him…It’s time for the American people to wake up!…I hope that anybody capable of being close to the president might give him a little nudge.”
– Ron Paul. Former Congressman and Presidential Candidate

Congressman Massie Discusses Ross’s Clemency

Last night, Congressman Massie went over some of the many injustices in Ross’s case and why he should be granted clemency. You can watch the full clip here.

“This is the greatest violation of the 8th Amendment that I am aware of in the United States today…What he did from a computer screen does not deserve 2 life sentences + 40 years without the chance of parole. That’s ridiculous. That’s over-sentencing…He was a first-time offender…This guy should not rot in jail and die there. He deserves a second chance. ”
– Congressman Thomas Massie. House Oversight Committee Member

New support

“Ross Ulbricht’s sentence is wildly excessive, and the president should address such disparities in justice.”
– Congressman Justin Amash. U.S. Representative, Michigan

 Check out our Widespread Support page.

New support

“I feel that when people hear the amount of time men and women get in prison they should automatically investigate and help get justice! I received that justice but many more need justice! And that’s why I support the commutation of Ross Ulbricht.”
– Charles “Duke” Tanner. Criminal Justice Reform Advocate. Former Professional Boxer

 Check out our Widespread Support page.

New support

“This young man has been condemned to die in prison for the non-violent offense of designing a software interface that was misused by its end users. That disproportionality is concerning…He was found guilty of non-violent crimes. Those crimes do not justify a life sentence.”
– Conrad Black. Former Leading Newspaper Publisher, Historian, Author

 Check out our Widespread Support page.

New Op-Ed against Ross’s sentence

This week, Bernard Kerik (NYC’s 40th Police Commissioner) and Rod Blagojevich (Illinois’s 40th Governor) published a powerful Op-Ed in support of Ross’s clemency.

They are among the ever-growing list of organizations and prominent individuals who have voiced support.

“As a first-time, non-violent offender, Ross Ulbricht was given two death sentences, plus 40 additional years…His case may very well be the most glaring example of how broken and deeply dysfunctional our criminal justice system is…There cannot be justice for all when there is cruel punishment for some…We respectfully ask that President Donald Trump do what only he can do: grant Ross Ulbricht clemency, to right this wrong, and end one of the greatest travesties of justice in American history.”

The Anniversary of another year in Prison

“I am now starting the eighth year of a life sentence. Freedom feels like a forgotten dream, yet my mind and spirit remain uncaged. God willing, the world will one day be ready for the physical bars to be gone as well.” – Ross

As today marks the beginning of another year in prison for Ross, his mother, Lyn, shares an imploring message to President Trump: please free Ross, please give him a second chance. He won’t let you down.

Ross’s art in Soho

Starting today, Ross’s art will be displayed in Soho, Manhattan, thanks to a generous supporter. We hope this will raise awareness of Ross’s case and unfair sentencing.

This display features “Uncageable,” a powerful drawing Ross made in prison during the grueling last months of coronavirus lockdown (22 to 24 hours/day locked in his cell every day since March).

Did You Know?

Ross recently published his idea for a new, revolutionary technology using artificial intelligence that would help fight the sharing of harmful content online. Unfortunately, he cannot access the resources to work on this further from prison.

This is one of several writings that show the great things Ross could go on to contribute, if released. He has so much to offer and is committed to using his skills and creativity to positively contribute to society, once free.

Will 2020 be the year of Ross’s freedom?

2,500 days in prison

Yesterday marked Ross’s 2,500th day in federal prison. Many have shown support online, including Hollywood actor and director Alex Winter. They agree Ross has served long enough and deserves to be freed. Below is a message from Ross.

“Today is my 2,500th day in prison. If you believe I deserve to be freed and returned home, I ask that you please share my petition once more with your friends and family. I feel the love every time someone signs.” – Ross

You can sign and share Ross’s clemency petition here.

Growing Momentum

250+ organizations, eminent individuals and leaders from across the political spectrum have voiced their support to Ross and against his draconian sentence. Like many, they hope President Trump will grant Ross clemency as soon as possible.

Visit our Widespread Support page.

Seen in Brooklyn & New Message from Ross

This awesome #FreeRoss billboard is currently up in Brooklyn Navy Yard thanks to a steadfast supporter. We’re so excited people will get to see it and so grateful for the support.

Here is a new, inspiring message from Ross after months of being locked in his 8×10 cell all day every day:

“We’re still locked down because of COVID-19, almost four months now…it wears on me. I’m reading and writing a lot, praying and meditating. One day at a time.” – Ross

New support

“Ross’s case raises so many issues of due process, prosecutorial overreach and outright fairness. A sentence of double life plus forty-years? This case fails the standards of our cherished Constitution and our American values. In the interest of justice, I strongly support clemency for Ross Ulbricht.”
– Suhail A. Khan. Chair, Conservative Inclusion Coalition

 Check out our Widespread Support page.

#FreeRoss Billboard in Philly

Did you know? Our amazing supporters set up this billboard in Philadelphia last September during 2019 Coinvention.

We hope as many people as possible saw it. Thank you to all our fervent supporters! #FreeRoss2020