Anthony Papa
Encyclopedia
Anthony Papa artist and author of 15 to Life, is an advocate against the war on drugs
and co-founder of the Mothers of the New York Disappeared.
15 to Life, published in 2004, is an autobiographical account of Papa's experience with the New York criminal justice system and anti-narcotics laws under which he was sentenced to fifteen years to life imprisonment for a first time drug offense. New York's strict drug laws, enacted during the term of former governor Nelson Rockefeller
, and now known as the Rockefeller drug laws
are among the toughest in the United States. The possession of four ounces or more of such drugs as heroin and cocaine — or the sale of two ounces or more of the same substances — carries the same penalties as those imposed for second-degree murder. (the laws were revised in 2004/2005 http://www.drugpolicy.org/statebystate/newyork/rockreform/ ) The book "15 to Life" is currently in the works of being transformed into a major film as reported by Variety http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118001620.html?categoryid=13&cs=1
As reported by Juan Gonzalez of the New York Daily News
, Papa had enjoyed a middle-class life as an owner of an auto-repair and radio business prior to his arrest. According to this account, he was a family man and had never been in trouble with the law. But when a member of Papa's bowling team offered Papa "some easy money" for delivering an envelope of cocaine to the town of Mount Vernon, New York
, "Papa foolishly agreed". As it happened, the courier who gave him the envelope was an undercover police informant and when Papa delivered the 4.5 ounces of coke he was promptly arrested.
Following his conviction for sales and possession, Papa was sentenced to one 15-to-life sentence. Papa served 12 years in Sing Sing
before Governor George Pataki
granted him clemency in 1996 During his imprisonment, Papa earned two bachelor's degrees and a master's from the New York Theological Seminary
. In prison he discovered his artistic talent, and used his art to literately paint his way to freedom some when his famous self portrait "15 to Life" was exhibited at the Whitney Museum of American Art http://www.15yearstolife.com/art1.htm which leading to a flood of media attention.
After his release Papa tried his hand at acting on HBO's "Oz" and has appeared in several films http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3128195/ Papa went on a rescue mission to save others he left behind that were sentenced under the draconian drug laws and founded The Mothers of the New York Disappeared in 1997 (along with Randy Credico
), and this group became the leading activist entity against the Rockefeller Drug Laws. Papa continuing his advocacy to reform the drug laws of the United States currently works for Drug Policy Alliance as the manager of Media Relations. He continues to use the arts as an effective tool to fight for those less fortunate http://www.alternet.org/story/95929/unlocking_the_power_of_art_to_counter_injustice/ (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anthony-papa/country-in-distress-the-_b_59865.html. His stinging op-ed's can be found in regional papers across the United States (http://www.drugpolicy.org/library/staffwritten/papa.cfm)
and his advocacy for drug law reform has been covered by national magazines such Time magazine. ]http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1653862,00.html
On March 7, 2009 after years of advocating for meaningful reform of the Rockefeller Drug laws Gov. Paterson signed into law sweeping revisions leaving Papa vindicated. http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=5bb1982be79fb8d44ab6e06b9f559f5b
Currently Papa appears with Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter in "Quebrando o Tabu" (2011) a film being released in Brazil about the global war on drugs directed by Fernando Grostein Andrade and produced by Luciano Huck http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hz0EWwC-hug&feature=autoshare
A movie adaptation of "15 to Life" is currently in development by Brian Swibel
's production company b. swibel presents.
War on Drugs
The War on Drugs is a campaign of prohibition and foreign military aid and military intervention being undertaken by the United States government, with the assistance of participating countries, intended to both define and reduce the illegal drug trade...
and co-founder of the Mothers of the New York Disappeared.
15 to Life, published in 2004, is an autobiographical account of Papa's experience with the New York criminal justice system and anti-narcotics laws under which he was sentenced to fifteen years to life imprisonment for a first time drug offense. New York's strict drug laws, enacted during the term of former governor Nelson Rockefeller
Nelson Rockefeller
Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller was the 41st Vice President of the United States , serving under President Gerald Ford, and the 49th Governor of New York , as well as serving the Roosevelt, Truman and Eisenhower administrations in a variety of positions...
, and now known as the Rockefeller drug laws
Rockefeller drug laws
The Rockefeller Drug Laws is the term used to denote the statutes dealing with the sale and possession of "narcotic" drugs in the New York State Penal Law. The laws are named after Nelson Rockefeller, who was the state's governor at the time the laws were adopted...
are among the toughest in the United States. The possession of four ounces or more of such drugs as heroin and cocaine — or the sale of two ounces or more of the same substances — carries the same penalties as those imposed for second-degree murder. (the laws were revised in 2004/2005 http://www.drugpolicy.org/statebystate/newyork/rockreform/ ) The book "15 to Life" is currently in the works of being transformed into a major film as reported by Variety http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118001620.html?categoryid=13&cs=1
As reported by Juan Gonzalez of the New York Daily News
New York Daily News
The Daily News of New York City is the fourth most widely circulated daily newspaper in the United States with a daily circulation of 605,677, as of November 1, 2011....
, Papa had enjoyed a middle-class life as an owner of an auto-repair and radio business prior to his arrest. According to this account, he was a family man and had never been in trouble with the law. But when a member of Papa's bowling team offered Papa "some easy money" for delivering an envelope of cocaine to the town of Mount Vernon, New York
Mount Vernon, New York
Mount Vernon is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States. It lies on the border of the New York City borough of The Bronx.-Overview:...
, "Papa foolishly agreed". As it happened, the courier who gave him the envelope was an undercover police informant and when Papa delivered the 4.5 ounces of coke he was promptly arrested.
Following his conviction for sales and possession, Papa was sentenced to one 15-to-life sentence. Papa served 12 years in Sing Sing
Sing Sing
Sing Sing Correctional Facility is a maximum security prison operated by the New York State Department of Correctional Services in the town of Ossining, New York...
before Governor George Pataki
George Pataki
George Elmer Pataki is an American politician who was the 53rd Governor of New York. A member of the Republican Party, Pataki served three consecutive four-year terms from January 1, 1995 until December 31, 2006.- Early life :...
granted him clemency in 1996 During his imprisonment, Papa earned two bachelor's degrees and a master's from the New York Theological Seminary
New York Theological Seminary
The New York Theological Seminary was established as a non-denominational institution in 1900 with the founding of the Bible Teachers’ College in Montclair, New Jersey by Wilbert Webster White. President White moved the school to New York City in 1902, when it was renamed the Bible Teachers’...
. In prison he discovered his artistic talent, and used his art to literately paint his way to freedom some when his famous self portrait "15 to Life" was exhibited at the Whitney Museum of American Art http://www.15yearstolife.com/art1.htm which leading to a flood of media attention.
After his release Papa tried his hand at acting on HBO's "Oz" and has appeared in several films http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3128195/ Papa went on a rescue mission to save others he left behind that were sentenced under the draconian drug laws and founded The Mothers of the New York Disappeared in 1997 (along with Randy Credico
Randy Credico
Randy Credico , is an American political comedian and activist and the former Director of the . Once active on the comedy circuit, including an appearance on the Tonight Show at age 27, he began a seven year campaign against New York state's Rockefeller drug laws, which he thought were too harsh,...
), and this group became the leading activist entity against the Rockefeller Drug Laws. Papa continuing his advocacy to reform the drug laws of the United States currently works for Drug Policy Alliance as the manager of Media Relations. He continues to use the arts as an effective tool to fight for those less fortunate http://www.alternet.org/story/95929/unlocking_the_power_of_art_to_counter_injustice/ (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anthony-papa/country-in-distress-the-_b_59865.html. His stinging op-ed's can be found in regional papers across the United States (http://www.drugpolicy.org/library/staffwritten/papa.cfm)
and his advocacy for drug law reform has been covered by national magazines such Time magazine. ]http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1653862,00.html
On March 7, 2009 after years of advocating for meaningful reform of the Rockefeller Drug laws Gov. Paterson signed into law sweeping revisions leaving Papa vindicated. http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=5bb1982be79fb8d44ab6e06b9f559f5b
Currently Papa appears with Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter in "Quebrando o Tabu" (2011) a film being released in Brazil about the global war on drugs directed by Fernando Grostein Andrade and produced by Luciano Huck http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hz0EWwC-hug&feature=autoshare
A movie adaptation of "15 to Life" is currently in development by Brian Swibel
Brian Swibel
Brian Swibel is a Chicago born producer, director, writer and actor. He is the founder of b. swibel presents, a New York and Los Angeles based entertainment company that develops and produces diverse forms of media and arts education programming...
's production company b. swibel presents.
External links
- http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/11/08/1513258
- http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v98/n523/a13.html?1778.
- http://www.counterpunch.org/herschel12042004.html
- http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/356/tony.shtml
- http://www.alternet.org/drugreporter/18925/
- http://www.15yearstolife.com/articles.htm
- http://www.thenation.com/doc/20041227/tuhusdubrow
- http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=anthony+papa+15+to+life&btnG=Search
- http://feralhouse.com/press/15tolife/
- http://gros-boulet.com/
- http://marthel-collection-65454.com/