Hassan & Nazie Nemazee have funded the Hassan & Nazie Nemazee Clemency Fellowship at the University of Minnesota Law School, Pasha Publishing announced from New York.
The fellowship operates within the law school’s Clemency Clinic, which was launched with support from the couple. Hassan Nemazee is the author of Persia, Politics and Prison and is himself formerly incarcerated.
The fellowship supported the clemency applications of three women whose sentences were commuted in the latest round of clemencies, pardons and commutations issued by President Trump:
- Molly Ann Bloom
- Holly Leanne Frantzen
- Shemika Williams
The fellowship provided expert legal and support services to the applicants, and the institute will continue to advise applicants.
Hassan and Nazie Nemazee said in a statement: “Criminal justice reform is the civil rights issue of our time and we are honored to support the Institute’s groundbreaking, life-changing work that keep communities safer and our country fairer. If someone has served their time, accepted responsibility, and poses no threat to the public, they should be entitled to clemency. We are proud to advance this important movement through support of the Fellowship, and the Institute’s transformative work.”
They added: “We deeply congratulate Molly, Leanne and Shemeka and their families and hope that the next phase of their lives are fulfilling, and we thank the White House for its commitment to second chances.”
Hassan and Nazie Nemazee and Professor JaneAnne Murray, the clinic’s founder and director, are available for interviews.
