Central Library Hosting Youth Open Mic Sharing The Story Of LaKeith Smith On Thursday, November 17
Birmingham, AL—The Birmingham Public Library and The Flourish Alabama present The Good Soil Youth Open Mic: Criminal Justice and LaKeith Smith's Story at the Central Library on Thursday, November 17, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
This special youth open mic will be awarding a total of $1,000 in prizes to young students who share original performative works about criminal justice with a focus on LaKeith Smith, a young man who could spend the rest of his life in an Alabama prison.
- What: The Good Soil Youth Open Mic: Criminal Justice and LaKeith Smith's Story
- When: Thursday, November 17 | From 6:00—8:00 p.m.
- Where: Central Library | 2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL 35203
- Details: 10 students have the chance to be awarded $100.00 for their performative arts at the The Good Soil Youth Open Mic: Criminal Justice and LaKeith Smith's Story. LaKeith Smith could face a life of imprisonment for murder despite not killing anyone. This Youth Open Mic is the chance to get his story heard in the Birmingham community. Refreshments will be provided.
Hear the voices of Greater Birmingham's young students as they share moving pieces about social justice, the criminal justice system, and the personal story of Alabama native, LaKeith Smith.
At the same age as many of these student performers, LaKeith Smith was charged with theft, burglary, and felony murder—despite not killing anyone. Birmingham students are sharing his story in creative, original works, hoping to make change. The Justice for LaKeith Smith campaign is under a month away from LaKeith's post-conviction hearing. There is a chance that his conviction could be overturned or he could be resentenced.
To preserve the integrity of this open mic, there are new rules in place for this one. Here are the rules to perform:
- Stories can be poems, songs, personal narratives, or any performative works
- Must be between one to three minutes
- No profanity
- Must present written version of work before sharing
- First 10 to sign up and meet requirements will be paid $100.00
This opportunity is only available to the first 10 students who sign up and they must present a written version of their work to perform.
LaKeith Smith was 15 years old when he and a group of his friends were involved in the break-ins of two unoccupied homes in February of 2015. Local police later arrived on the scene and LaKeith's 16-year old friend A'Donte Washington was shot and killed by one of the officers.
Despite being the youngest in the group and having no prior offenses, LaKeith was charged as an adult and convicted of theft, burglary, and the felony murder of A'Donte, even though A'Donte was killed by a police officer. Alabama's felony murder rule states:
A person commits the crime of murder if he/she commits or attempts to commit [a felony] and, in the course of and in furtherance of the crime that he/she is committing or attempting to commit, or in immediate flight therefrom, he/she, or another participant if there be any, causes the death of any person.
A'Donte was killed by a police officer. Support Alabama youth by coming out to the The Good Soil Youth Open Mic: Criminal Justice and LaKeith Smith's Story.
Learn more about LaKeith Smith's story and see updates by visiting their website.
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By Cheyenne Trujillo | Library Assistant Ⅲ, Public Relations
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