15 year old Grace is in juvenile detention because of missed homework assignments after being seen before Judge Mary Ellen Brennan.
Grace wrote a letter to her mother saying how sorry she was and how she realized how much her mom loved her. During her trial she cried out to the judge saying, she could be obedient.
The outrage for her release is being displayed across the world. However, the Judge says she will not be influenced by other people and the media.
According to the Judge, Grace had been benefiting from a residential treatment programme and was not yet ready to return to her mother.
In many states protestors are also fighting to take police involvement from schools
“There is not a question in my mind, if I were to grant the request to release you home today, I would be making a mistake, and I would be doing you a disservice,” she told Grace, according to Michigan Radio.
Protestors stood in a peaceful protest rally outside Grace’s school last week, calling for her release. “Black Lives Matter” signs were held up alongside “Free Grace” signs.
“I know if Grace was a 15-year-old white girl she would not be sitting in juvenile detention right now,” a mother, Sheri Crawley, told local TV news station WDIV.
Thousands of people also signed online petitions calling for her release.
To sign the petition to release Grace click here
She was placed on probation in mid-April via a Zoom juvenile court hearing after facing an assault and theft charge last year; one of the terms of the probation was a requirement to do her schoolwork.
Protestors are agreeing that Grace needs help but not in the form of prison. The idea of dismaying the justice system with students and leaning towards a more therapeutic approach is being heavily advocated.
