MY NAME IS MARIO LORENZO ALLEN,I WAS BORN ON DEC.22,1981 TO BARBARA BAKER & THE LATE TYRONE OWENS IN THE CITY OF PETERSBURG,VA. AS MANY OF YOU MAY KNOW & EVEN EXPERIENCE TODAY,GROWING UP IN PETERSBURG WAS VERY CHALLENGING(ESPECIALLY FOR YOUNG BLACK BOYS)DUE TO MOSTLY LOW INCOME FAMILIES & LACK OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT.OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM WASN'T THE GREATEST & I CHOSE TO LET THE STREETS BE MY TEACHERS.ON AUG.28TH 2001 I WAS A 19YRS OLD BOY WHEN I BECAME INCARCERATED BUT TODAY I'M A 38 YR OLD MAN.I MADE MANY MISTAKES IN MY PAST BUT THE MOST LIFE CHANGING ONE WAS BEING LOYAL TO PEOPLE THAT WAS DISLOYAL TO ME.I TRUSTED PEOPLE WHO WENT BEFORE THE COURTS & MADE ME LOOK AS IF I WAS A BAD PERSON.THEY TOLD LIES ON ME & DEFAMED MY CHARACTER JUST TO REDUCED THEIR SENTENCES FOR THE CRIMES THEY COMMITTED .I'VE MADE MISTAKES & I'VE MADE BAD DECISIONS BUT EVERYONE MAKES MISTAKES IN LIFE,THE DECISIONS I MADE BACK THEN I'M PAYING FOR THEM NOW WITH A LIFE SENTENCE OF WHICH I HAVE SERVED 20YRS OF.I'M NOT CONDONING MY BEHAVIOR THEN NOR AM I MAKING EXCUSES FOR IT BUT I DO BELIEVE I DESERVE A SECOND CHANCE.INSTEAD OF BELIEVING IN MY FAMILY THAT LOVED ME I BELIEVED IN THE STREETS & MY SO CALLED FRIENDS.YES I WENT DOWN THE WRONG PATH & CAUSED PAIN,HURT & HEARTACHE BUT TODAY I'M NO LONGER THAT PERSON.I HAVE GROWN INTO A MAN THAT TAKES ACCOUNTABILITY FOR MY BAD CHOICES & ACTIONS.TODAY I WOULD LIKE THE CHANCE TO RE-ENTER SOCIETY & MAYBE BE A ROLE MODEL TO THE YOUTH OF PETERSBURG SINCE THEY'RE FACING THE SAME STRUGGLES I DID GROWING UP.I'M ASKING YOU TO FIND IT IN YOUR HEART TO SIGN THIS PETITION & MAYBE GIVE ME A CHANCE AT A LIFE OUTSIDE OF THESES WALLS.IM ASKING YOU TO HELP ME TO HAVE A CHANCE TO BE A SUCCESSFUL MAN & MAYBE ONE DAY HAVE A FAMILY OF MY OWN.OVER THE 20YRS I'VE BEEN INCARCERATED I'VE MISSED THE BIRTHS OF MANY OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS & ALSO THE DEATHS OF MANY PEOPLE VERY DEAR TO MY HEART INCLUDING MY FATHER, GRANDMOTHERS,UNCLES,& MANY COUSINS & FRIENDS.I WASN'T ABLE TO SAY MY FINAL GOODBYES OR ATTEND ANY OF THEIR FUNERALS DUE TO MY INCARCERATION.IN THE PAST 20YRS I'VE COMPLETED NUMEROUS PROGRAMS TO FURTHER MY EDUCATION & GROWTH.I ACHIEVED MY G.E.D.,COMPLETED A VICTIM IMPACT PROGRAM,AAA,A DRUG PROGRAM & CHALLENGE PROGRAM.CURRENTLY I'M PARTICIPATING IN A PROGRAM CALLED GO FURTHER WHICH IS HELPING ME TO GROW IN SELF DEVELOPMENTS,CAREER PLANNING & BECOMING A USEFUL CITZEN THAT WILL PRAYERFULLY RETURN INTO SOCIETY.IN 2018 TRUMP SIGNED THE FIRST STEP ACT BILL TO REDUCE SENTENCES FOR CRACK COCAINE OFFENSES.CONGRESS DECIDED THAT THE PENALTIES FOR CRACK COCAINE OFFENSES WERE TO HIGH & PEOPLE WHO WERE SENTENCED BEFORE THE CHANGED LAWS SHOULD RECEIVE A CHANCE TO BENEFIT FROM THE NEW & LOWER PENALTIES THAT BECAME EFFECTIVE IN 2018.I'M REACHING OUT TO YOU....MY COMMUNITY,MY FAMILY & FRIENDS TO SIGN MY PETITION,SHARE MY PETITION & STORY SO THAT ONE DAY I CAN BE A FREE MAN.THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.KEEP ME IN YOUR PRAYERS & SPREAD THE WORD.
Updates
March 5, 2020
I never imagined so many people would take the time to read my story and offer their support. This movement belongs to all of you who believe that someone can truly grow beyond their past mistakes. I am humbled by your kindness and remain hopeful because of the life you have breathed into this cause.
March 5, 2020
I am honestly overwhelmed by the way people are responding to this request for a second chance. It is humbling to see so many strangers looking past my mistakes to offer their support. This movement belongs to all of you who chose to listen to my story.
Reached 100 supporters
March 5, 2020
102 Comments
I think everybody deserves a second change life in jail for a drug charge is not fair people kill people and some of them get out and back on the street. I think he have learn and will be will to minister to other youth that in the street.
Mario Allen was first my friend and now my brother in law.We both grew up in the city of Petersburg in which is harsh.Ive known him to be a very sweet person.I believe in second chances.If given a second chance I believe that he will be productive and society.He can teach others that if you make a mistake you will pay for it.Please Free my brother in law!!
Mario Allen is my first cousin grew up most of his life in the same household .He was more like a btother I never had tole model to alot of things I needed to know its more for him to be successful outside them walls .Please give my family a second chance despite of it all
Every body makes mistakes in life even judge's, lawyer's, and the people of god and every one deserves a second chance especially if you were at an age where your mind and thoughts were not in thr right place as a teenager free Mario and Antwon Allen its been long enough
Everyone deserves a second chance. Stay strong until then. I hope to see you soon back out here again with your family. You have a powerful story to tell and you are definitely needed in our city mentoring our young men of Petersburg. I'm sure your story will change the lives of many black boys heading in the wrong direction. Love you see you soon fam.
Free my Cuz
20 years of anything should be enough
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Copy link or share directly
MY NAME IS MARIO LORENZO ALLEN,I WAS BORN ON DEC.22,1981 TO BARBARA BAKER & THE LATE TYRONE OWENS IN THE CITY OF PETERSBURG,VA. AS MANY OF YOU MAY KNOW & EVEN EXPERIENCE TODAY,GROWING UP IN PETERSBURG WAS VERY CHALLENGING(ESPECIALLY FOR YOUNG BLACK BOYS)DUE TO MOSTLY LOW INCOME FAMILIES & LACK OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT.OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM WASN'T THE GREATEST & I CHOSE TO LET THE STREETS BE MY TEACHERS.ON AUG.28TH 2001 I WAS A 19YRS OLD BOY WHEN I BECAME INCARCERATED BUT TODAY I'M A 38 YR OLD MAN.I MADE MANY MISTAKES IN MY PAST BUT THE MOST LIFE CHANGING ONE WAS BEING LOYAL TO PEOPLE THAT WAS DISLOYAL TO ME.I TRUSTED PEOPLE WHO WENT BEFORE THE COURTS & MADE ME LOOK AS IF I WAS A BAD PERSON.THEY TOLD LIES ON ME & DEFAMED MY CHARACTER JUST TO REDUCED THEIR SENTENCES FOR THE CRIMES THEY COMMITTED .I'VE MADE MISTAKES & I'VE MADE BAD DECISIONS BUT EVERYONE MAKES MISTAKES IN LIFE,THE DECISIONS I MADE BACK THEN I'M PAYING FOR THEM NOW WITH A LIFE SENTENCE OF WHICH I HAVE SERVED 20YRS OF.I'M NOT CONDONING MY BEHAVIOR THEN NOR AM I MAKING EXCUSES FOR IT BUT I DO BELIEVE I DESERVE A SECOND CHANCE.INSTEAD OF BELIEVING IN MY FAMILY THAT LOVED ME I BELIEVED IN THE STREETS & MY SO CALLED FRIENDS.YES I WENT DOWN THE WRONG PATH & CAUSED PAIN,HURT & HEARTACHE BUT TODAY I'M NO LONGER THAT PERSON.I HAVE GROWN INTO A MAN THAT TAKES ACCOUNTABILITY FOR MY BAD CHOICES & ACTIONS.TODAY I WOULD LIKE THE CHANCE TO RE-ENTER SOCIETY & MAYBE BE A ROLE MODEL TO THE YOUTH OF PETERSBURG SINCE THEY'RE FACING THE SAME STRUGGLES I DID GROWING UP.I'M ASKING YOU TO FIND IT IN YOUR HEART TO SIGN THIS PETITION & MAYBE GIVE ME A CHANCE AT A LIFE OUTSIDE OF THESES WALLS.IM ASKING YOU TO HELP ME TO HAVE A CHANCE TO BE A SUCCESSFUL MAN & MAYBE ONE DAY HAVE A FAMILY OF MY OWN.OVER THE 20YRS I'VE BEEN INCARCERATED I'VE MISSED THE BIRTHS OF MANY OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS & ALSO THE DEATHS OF MANY PEOPLE VERY DEAR TO MY HEART INCLUDING MY FATHER, GRANDMOTHERS,UNCLES,& MANY COUSINS & FRIENDS.I WASN'T ABLE TO SAY MY FINAL GOODBYES OR ATTEND ANY OF THEIR FUNERALS DUE TO MY INCARCERATION.IN THE PAST 20YRS I'VE COMPLETED NUMEROUS PROGRAMS TO FURTHER MY EDUCATION & GROWTH.I ACHIEVED MY G.E.D.,COMPLETED A VICTIM IMPACT PROGRAM,AAA,A DRUG PROGRAM & CHALLENGE PROGRAM.CURRENTLY I'M PARTICIPATING IN A PROGRAM CALLED GO FURTHER WHICH IS HELPING ME TO GROW IN SELF DEVELOPMENTS,CAREER PLANNING & BECOMING A USEFUL CITZEN THAT WILL PRAYERFULLY RETURN INTO SOCIETY.IN 2018 TRUMP SIGNED THE FIRST STEP ACT BILL TO REDUCE SENTENCES FOR CRACK COCAINE OFFENSES.CONGRESS DECIDED THAT THE PENALTIES FOR CRACK COCAINE OFFENSES WERE TO HIGH & PEOPLE WHO WERE SENTENCED BEFORE THE CHANGED LAWS SHOULD RECEIVE A CHANCE TO BENEFIT FROM THE NEW & LOWER PENALTIES THAT BECAME EFFECTIVE IN 2018.I'M REACHING OUT TO YOU....MY COMMUNITY,MY FAMILY & FRIENDS TO SIGN MY PETITION,SHARE MY PETITION & STORY SO THAT ONE DAY I CAN BE A FREE MAN.THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.KEEP ME IN YOUR PRAYERS & SPREAD THE WORD.
Updates
March 5, 2020
I never imagined so many people would take the time to read my story and offer their support. This movement belongs to all of you who believe that someone can truly grow beyond their past mistakes. I am humbled by your kindness and remain hopeful because of the life you have breathed into this cause.
March 5, 2020
I am honestly overwhelmed by the way people are responding to this request for a second chance. It is humbling to see so many strangers looking past my mistakes to offer their support. This movement belongs to all of you who chose to listen to my story.
Reached 100 supporters
March 5, 2020
102 Comments
All who were excessively sentenced prior to this revision should have their sentences reduced
I think everybody deserves a second change life in jail for a drug charge is not fair people kill people and some of them get out and back on the street. I think he have learn and will be will to minister to other youth that in the street.
Mario Allen was first my friend and now my brother in law.We both grew up in the city of Petersburg in which is harsh.Ive known him to be a very sweet person.I believe in second chances.If given a second chance I believe that he will be productive and society.He can teach others that if you make a mistake you will pay for it.Please Free my brother in law!!
Mario Allen is my first cousin grew up most of his life in the same household .He was more like a btother I never had tole model to alot of things I needed to know its more for him to be successful outside them walls .Please give my family a second chance despite of it all
Every body makes mistakes in life even judge's, lawyer's, and the people of god and every one deserves a second chance especially if you were at an age where your mind and thoughts were not in thr right place as a teenager free Mario and Antwon Allen its been long enough
Everyone deserves a second chance. Stay strong until then. I hope to see you soon back out here again with your family. You have a powerful story to tell and you are definitely needed in our city mentoring our young men of Petersburg. I'm sure your story will change the lives of many black boys heading in the wrong direction. Love you see you soon fam.
Free my Cuz
20 years of anything should be enough
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 500 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via .
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
All who were excessively sentenced prior to this revision should have their sentences reduced