Protesters Demand Second Chance For Felons

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Some Minnesotans with criminal records rallied at a church near the capital Tuesday morning.

They are convicted felons, but they want lawmakers to know: they are so much more.

Minnesota Second Chance Coalition is trying to get lawmakers to ease up on incarceration of low-level drug dealers and restore voting rights amongst a list of things.

One woman given a second chance spoke. She is now a homeowner and finishing college, but used to deal drugs as a homeless teen.

"I didn't need a long prison sentence to become the woman I am today. I needed compassion, I needed community support, I needed to be taught how to heal and cope with the events from my past without using drugs. I just needed help. The changes we are supporting today will allow many like me to get the help they need instead of a long prison sentence," Mariah Wilberg said.

Representative Raymond Dehn, who used to be in prison for drug convictions, also spoke, saying they will have his support this session.