Remembering Rubin “Hurricane” Carter

The PBEye is saddened to learn of the death of Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, a former professional boxer who became a symbol of racial injustice in the U.S. After 19 years on death row for a triple murder, Carter was exonerated with the help of his pro bono attorneys.

After his release, Carter became the first Executive Director of the Association in Defense of the Wrongly Convicted in Toronto, serving from 1993 to 2004. He campaigned on behalf of criminal justice reform and fought tirelessly to free those unjustly imprisoned. From his deathbed, Carter wrote a column in February in which he advocated for the release of two specific prisoners he believed are innocent.

Carter’s experiences and advocacy impacted many attorneys and motivated them to do pro bono work on behalf of death row inmates. His legacy as a symbol of hope for those wrongly convicted will endure and continue to inspire lawyers to do meaningful and much-needed pro bono work. “To live in a world where truth matters and justice, however late, really happens, that world would be heaven enough for us all.” Rubin Carter