Eric Weaver says he was invited to the White House open house three weeks ago, but when the day came, he says he was turned away.
WASHINGTON — It was supposed to be a day to get into the holiday spirit and see the White House Christmas decorations for Eric Weaver, his 10-year-old granddaughter and their friends. But instead, Weaver says it reminded him how difficult it can be to get a true second chance in life.
Three weeks ago, Weaver said he received an email inviting him to the White House open house because of his work with the National Association for the Advancement of Returning Citizens. But when he arrived Monday night, he and his friends Tony Lewis said they were turned away.
“The Secret Service just contacted us and you will not be allowed on campus,” he explained.
Weaver said it was clear he was turned away because of his criminal record. He founded his organization in 2016 after spending 22 years in prison for first-degree murder at the age of 17. While he was incarcerated, something clicked while he was watching the news.
“I saw a lady who had just lost her son and she was crying and screaming and it was the most excruciating scream I have ever heard in my life,” he explained, “and I I thought – this is something I made for someone’s mother.”
Since then, he’s earned his GED, two college degrees and been out of prison for 14 years and says he’s done everything right and more. So when he was turned away at the White House Monday evening, he said he was mortified.
“When they first had to take us away from a crowd, after telling everyone it was okay, it was good, it was embarrassing to be escorted out and go out,” he said. he explains.
He said it was a reminder of a bigger picture.
“They have to be honest,” he explained, “if you have committed a crime, if you are a black person and you have committed a crime, you will never be a citizen again. You will never have the means all the rights a normal citizen would enjoy and there are doors you will never be able to pass through.”
We contacted the U.S. Secret Service and a spokeswoman said: “While we regret any inconvenience this may have caused, some individuals were not permitted to enter the White House complex for the events. holidays organized on December 18. security, we are unable to comment further on the means and methods used to conduct our security operations at the White House.
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