After the release of ‘When They See Us,’ Ava DuVernay’s limited series depicting the wrongful conviction of the boys commonly known as the Central Park 5, viewers sparked a movement to ‘cancel’ former prosecutor Linda Fairstein and any projects attached to her name.
Now, a nonprofit organization Fairstein has worked with for nearly twenty years, wants her removed from the board amidst backlash from the series.
According to TMZ, employees at Safe Horizon, which is nonprofit created to aid victims of abuse and violent crimes in NYC, are enraged that Fairstein has been allowed to be on the board despite her crooked involvement in the case.
Apparently, the CEO held a meeting on May 21 to discuss the release of ‘When They See Us’ and inform nearly 100 directors about Fairstein’s connection as District Attorney in the 1989 high profile case.
Some of the staff were reportedly unaware of Fairstein’s position on the board of directors, and many even questioned why the nonprofit would allow her to obtain a position of power when they mostly serve minorities.
Sources say that staffers accused Fairstein of racism and pushed for her immediate removal. The CEO has asked for time to evaluate the board’s concerns, however many directors plan to take legal action if Fairstein isn’t let go.
After viewers watched as Fairstein coerced confessions from five teenage boys on the series, it sparked immediate outrage. Fairstein, who had become an author since the trial, began receiving a slew of negative comments on her book reviews. The #CancelLindaFairstein movement began online, and as a result, she deleted her social media accounts. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
For Central Park Five exoneree Raymond Santana, it’s what she deserves.
“Even if it’s 30 years later, she has to pay for her crime,” Santana said.
