According to several news outlets, Kim Kardashian-West has played a pivotal role in the release of 17 prison inmates within the past three months. Although she undoubtedly contributed to their causes, attorney Brittany K. Barnett wants to set the record straight, saying she and another Black attorney who have been working in the prison reform space for years are truly responsible for their release.
Barnett took to Facebook to clear the air, saying she and fellow attorney MiAngel Cody established The Buried Alive Project years ago. The reality star began working with the organization after several foundations refused to help fund the program, which Barnett appreciates.
“Kim linked arms with us to support us when foundations turned us down. We and our clients and their families have a lot of love for her and are deeply grateful for her. Regardless of who helped fund us for the past three months, in 90 days TWO black women lawyers freed SEVENTEEN people from LIFE W/O PAROLE sentences – the second most severe penalty permitted by law in America. Only two of us.”
The attorney continued, “Prosecutors opposed nearly every single case we had. We litigated our asses off in federal courts across the country. We won DOWNWARD DEPARTURES in most of our cases – due to good lawyering. People set to DIE in prison – are now FREE…Our work in 90 days is historic.”
Barnett is sure not to blame Kardashian for being misrepresented as more involved, believing the media is responsible for spinning the truth.
"Kim has always been very clear in her role. It’s the media that spins it around – not Kim. We do not care how the media is portraying it – that’s what the media does. Who cares. We need Kim’s support and the support of anyone else who wants to join this fight. We love that she is using her platform to raise awareness. We ain’t trying to be famous, we trying to get our people free. Period.”
Read her full note below.
