Rainn Wilson, best known for his role as Dwight Schrute on The Office, recently showed his support for transforming the justice system in America.
Wilson hosted a charity event at to raise funds for the Clara and James Gibson Foundation, which aims to create an innovative new digital archive to help transform the justice system by highlighting the stories and human truths of individuals wrongfully convicted in the United States of America.
The foundation was established by James Gibson, who was wrongfully accused of murder and served nearly 30 years behind bars. In 1989, Gibson was beaten, tortured and coerced by Chicago police officers working under the command of Jon Burge. He was convicted of a double murder he did not commit and spent over 29 years in maximum-security prisons.
After fighting his case for decades, Gibson successfully obtained a Certificate of Innocence and is now working with individuals across the country who have been wrongfully convicted. The Clara and James Gibson Foundation was launched with the aim of using his personal story to inspire people worldwide and advocate for others within the criminal justice system.
“My life has been about a fight for justice, it took me over 29 years to clear my name,” James said. “Sadly, my case is not in isolation, and I am committed to helping those fighting their own wrongful convictions by giving them access to tools and materials that will help their cases in addition to pastoral care for them and their families.”
The funds raised from Wilson’s event will bring the story of wrongful convictions to life through curated video and photography. The initial aim is to raise $250,000 to create 250 stories with a focus on cases from James’ home city of Chicago. Currently, The National Registry of Exonerations provides detailed information about known exonerations in the United States. However, the Foundation add to and strengthen the existing database.
Wilson honored Gibson at the event, saying, “It has been a blessing, just a real blessing. Thank you so much. You are a light. You are light incarnate. And it is just such a profound pleasure.”
