Meet Sithy and Laura
The Path to Pardon Campaign highlights two individuals spearheading the models of transformation and leadership we hope to achieve in our communities, Laura Hernandez and Sithy Bin. Both Sithy and Laura’s cases demonstrate why pardons are an essential tool to keep Californians home with their communities and families and the need for the governor to listen to communities who are disproportionately impacted by convictions and the prison industrial complex. We seek your support for Sithy and Laura: you can urge Governor Newsom to pardon them – and others like them. Governor Newsom must live up to California’s promise to protect its residents and continue to undo the harms of its criminal legal system.
Sithy Bin
Sithy Bin, a Cambodian refugee, is a pillar of his community. He is a minister, community organizer, re-entry caseworker, counselor, father, and grandfather. After making a mistake in his youth, Sithy received an extreme and disproportionate sentence. While still incarcerated, Sithy became an ordained minister and led several peer support programs. He devoted himself to serving and helping others. Sithy’s transformation led to a sentence reduction, and ultimately, the state of California granted him parole. Unfortunately, instead of having the opportunity to be with his family, he now faces deportation. Like many immigrants who have gone through the carceral system, Sithy faces an unjust double punishment.
Laura Hernandez
Laura Hernandez was born in Mexico and raised in Santa Ana, where she still has a large community. While serving an unjustly long sentence, Laura founded several programs and became a leader and mentor. She currently serves as the Executive Director of Freedom For Immigrants, a national nonprofit that works to end immigration detention. She also volunteers with grassroots organizations, such as the OC Rapid Response Network, providing case support for community members affected by the criminal legal system and the immigration system. Santa Ana City Council member Johnathan Hernandez and former Mayor, now County Supervisor, Vicente Sarmiento, have recognized Laura’s commitment to the community. She has transformed the landscape of Orange County to recognize the value and power of our marginalized community members and welcome people home.