American Justice Project hosts inaugural concert honoring victims of wrongful prosecution and systemic injustice
WETHERSFIELD, Conn. – A sanctuary known for its centuries-old commitment to community became a stage for justice on Sunday as the American Justice Project (AJP) held its inaugural Tenor of Justice: Voices Unbound concert at the historic First Church of Christ.
The event, which drew over 200 attendees from across Greater Hartford and beyond, used music, testimony, and public honors to spotlight the human toll of wrongful prosecution and systemic failures in the criminal justice system.
“We didn’t just come together to perform,” said AJP co-founder and President Christopher Dukes. “We came to affirm our collective commitment to truth, dignity, and accountability.”
Music as Ministry and Message
Throughout the evening performances by local youth and elders blended, including a rendition of “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” setting a tone of both spiritual unity and civic urgency. Performances throughout the evening blended classical spirituals with contemporary calls to action, interspersed with spoken word, testimonials, and case narratives from individuals impacted by wrongful accusations.
A standout moment came with the debut of “Were You There: A Tribute to George Floyd,” performed by Hartford soprano Patricia Gray. The arrangement was created exclusively for the event and left the audience visibly moved, with many in tears.
“Music has long been a vehicle for justice,” said Gray. “But tonight, it was also a mirror – showing us how much work remains.”
Stories Behind the Statistics
Throughout the evening, AJP leaders shared stories of individuals whose lives have been upended by the “Chokehold” of the justice system – a term the organization uses to describe the compounded effects of false accusations, pretrial detention, media bias, institutional misconduct, etc.
Among them were the cases of Gordon Cole Jr. and Mervin Scarlett, both of whom endured years of legal and personal hardship before being exonerated or having charges dropped.
“These aren’t isolated incidents,” said Peter Little, AJP co-founder. “They are symptoms of systemic practices that disproportionately affect Black and Brown communities.”
Dukes himself is a survivor of such circumstances. A former university administrator, Dukes was wrongfully arrested in 2018 and cleared in 2019. In 2024, he also won a landmark case before the Connecticut Supreme Court against CCSU for wrongful termination related to his arrest. His case has become central to AJP’s mission and advocacy efforts.
Recognizing “Guardians of Justice”
The evening also included the presentation of AJP’s inaugural Guardians of Justice awards, honoring individuals who have demonstrated exceptional courage and advocacy in the face of injustice. Honorees included activist Cornell Lewis, photographer Mark Ostow, advocate Dwight Harrison, free speech and public access advocate J. Stan McCauley, journalist Anne Goshdigian, and exoneree and civil rights advocate Sean Ellis, whose story was featured in the Netflix documentary Trial 4.
Looking Ahead
Organizers say the Tenor of Justice will become an annual event, part of a larger campaign by AJP to raise awareness, provide support to the wrongfully accused, and advocate for systemic reforms. The organization is also launching its “Chokehold Audit” initiative – a tool designed to help workplaces, educational institutions, and government agencies identify and dismantle policies that may reinforce systemic bias, while advancing due process and equity.
“The ultimate goal,” Dukes said, “is to ensure that justice is not a matter of luck, but a lived reality for everyone.”
For more information, visit americanjusticeproject.org.
