Meet Emerging Solidarity

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Welcome to Emerging Solidarity, we are a group of people directly impacted by Pennsylvania's Felony Murder rule, we are a collective body of advocates, dual survivors and families of incarcerated men and women serving Life Without Parole (LWOP) for second degree. On this website you will find information, resources, and analysis on the legal and social implications on this controversial statue.

In Pennsylvania anyone convicted of second degree murder will receive a mandatory sentence of Life Without of Parole. This means that there is no possibility for the individual to ever be released from prison, regardless of their age, culpability, or circumstance and no matter what efforts the offenders made to rehabilitate themselves they will unjustly remain in prison. Many argue that this harsh and disproportionate punishment violates the offenders constitutional right to be free from cruel punishment under Article 1 § 13 of the Pennsylvania constitution. Some if not most of these offenders were months if not weeks into their 18th birthday when they committed the crime only to be sent to prison for longer then they've been alive and until death.

As you navigate through Emerging Solidarity you will learn about the history, definition and how Pennsylvania is way out of step with our sister states as well as other countries. In addition you'll find stories from men and women convicted of second degree and sentenced to Life Without Parole, stories from families of incarcerated love ones, duel survivors as well as dedicated advocates.

You will also read about current discussions and efforts to abolish Pennsylvania's felony rule to allow parole eligibility on a case by case basis. We hope that this website will provide you with valuable insight on the unconstitutionality of felony murder in Pennsylvania.

We encourage you to explore, engage, and share your thoughts and opinions with us.

Together we Emerge, and in solidarity we rise.