Civil Rights Granted Back to Felon: You Could Be Next

The Florida activist who led a movement to allow most former felons to vote got more civil rights restored under a new state clemency program.

Desmond Meade, 54, head of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, announced this month that he has been granted his civil rights back after being imprisoned for felony drug possession, aggravated battery, and possession of a firearm by a felon.

He can now serve on a jury, run for office, and take the bar exam. He currently has a law degree from Florida International University. “The restoration of my civil rights definitely helped remove some hurdles for me,” Meade said in a Twitter video posted to his account.

Meade spearheaded a movement in 2018 to restore voting rights for felons after their sentences have been completed except for those convicted of murder or felony sex crimes. He applied for clemency under a program started in March by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who previously denied clemency to Meade. For more information on clemency and rights restoration, visit the Florida Commission on Offender Review website.