Raymond Santana of Exonerated Five Runs for NYC City Council District 8

A New Mission for Raymond Santana

• 🎯 Raymond Santana, a member of the 'Exonerated Five,' is running for a seat on the New York City Council District 8.
• 💡 His campaign marks a significant personal journey, returning to his childhood stomping grounds in Harlem.

Personal Reflections and Past Trauma

• 🏫 Santana revisited PS 117, his former elementary school, describing the experience as emotional and taking him back to his youth before his life changed on April 19, 1989.
• ⛓️ He reflects on his wrongful conviction at 14 for a crime he did not commit, stating that the 5-to-10-year prison sentence felt like a death sentence.

Campaign Focus and Community Issues

• 🏙️ Santana is motivated to run due to pressing issues in his community, including trash in the streets, homelessness, mental health challenges, and the lack of affordable housing.
• 🗣️ Neighbors expressed their desires for more affordable housing and youth programs.

Significance of His Candidacy

• 🏛️ If elected, Santana would be the second member of the Exonerated Five to serve on the City Council, joining Yusef Salaam.
• 💪 He views this political pursuit as a continuation of his advocacy and a way to honor the 14-year-old boy who was wrongfully convicted.

The Political Landscape

• 🗳️ Santana faces a crowded field of candidates in the race for District 8, including Elise and Carion, Alfredo Lopez, Clarissa Alito, Nicholas Reyes, and Rosa Diaz.
• 📰 This race is being closely watched, with Santana's potential victory representing a powerful statement.