5 times Kim Kardashian has worked toward social justice reform
In the past few years, Kim Kardashian has evolved from a reality TV star and beauty mogul into a certifiable social justice advocate. The star made waves in 2018 when she lobbied for the release of nonviolent drug offender Alice Johnson, and her work hasn’t stopped there. Here are all of the ways that Kim Kardashian has advocated for criminal justice reform—and she’s just getting started.
1 She helped free Alice Johnson.
In Kardashian’s first and most widely publicized instance of activism, she met with President Donald Trump to ask for Johnson’s release from prison. Trump ultimately granted Johnson clemency, allowing the 63-year-old woman to return home after being imprisoned for 21 years. Kardashian learned of the case from a Mic report in October 2017, and she got her personal legal team on the case.
This is so unfair… https://t.co/W3lPINbQuy
— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) October 26, 2017
2 Kardashian advocated for female prisoners in California.
In July 2018, the reality star urged then-California Governor Jerry Brown to sign a bill that would improve the treatment of female prisoners, preventing male correctional officers from performing pat-downs on them or entering private areas like showers. Brown ultimately signed the bill into law on August 20th, according to the Associated Press.
The woman I met at CA Women’s Institution are still on my mind and in my heart. I do hope @GovBrown will sign AB2550 to grant #DignityForIncarceratedWomen #cut50
— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) July 9, 2018
3 She’s trying to free another nonviolent drug offender.
CNN notes that in a September episode of the podcast Wrongful Conviction, Kardashian said that she was working to free Chris Young, a man who, like Johnson, is serving life in prison for a non-violent drug offense. The 30-year-old has served 10 years of his sentence so far.
For @KimKardashian, getting #AliceMarieJohnson out of prison was just the beginning. Yesterday she went back to the #WhiteHouse to discuss the case of Chris Young. This is what she told @itsjasonflom just days before her second trip to 1600 Penn. 👉🏼 https://t.co/R2Zk9rA6Q8 pic.twitter.com/tn4ANc6n42
— Wrongful Conviction (@WrongConviction) September 6, 2018
4 She offered to pay a released prisoner’s rent.
Kardashian recently pledged to pay five years worth of rent for Matthew Charles, who was released from prison in January after being convicted of a non-violent drug offense. The Tennessean reported on March 9th that Charles had been rejected from renting an apartment following his release, and Kardashian stepped in to ensure that he could cover rent (while also saving up to one day buy a permanent home).
5 She supports ending the death penalty.
On March 12th, Kardashian tweeted that she met with California Governor Gavin Newsom and supports his efforts to end the death penalty in the state. According to NBC Los Angeles, Newsom signed an order on March 13th ending capital punishment while he’s in office.
For the last year, I have immersed myself in learning about the criminal justice system. I visited prisons, met with formerly incarcerated people, and helped with cases of individual injustice – including two death penalty cases.
— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) March 13, 2019
I have met with and am very supportive of Governor Newsom and his decision to help bring an end to the California Death Penalty. Racial bias and unfairness run deep throughout the justice system but especially when it comes to the death penalty.
— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) March 13, 2019
Kardashian’s activism is inspiring, and we love seeing her use her massive her platform for good. We can’t wait to see what she does next.
