The ACLU - Santa Cruz Chapter cordially invites you to the showing of a new documentary, followed by a panel discussion with

• Rick Walker
• Joe Simitian, State Senator
• Gwen Essegian, filmmaker, $100 a Day

On December 10, 1991, East Palo Alto resident Rick Walker was convicted of a murder he did not commit. Linked to the crime by false testimony and questionable legal tactics, Walker would spend the next 12 years of his life in some of California’s most dangerous prisons. Once exonerated, he would face yet another barrier to justice: the California State Legislature.

Entitled to one hundred dollars for every day spent falsely imprisoned, Walker’s attempts to receive his just due became caught in the partisan battle over the 2003 California budget.

On the last night of that year’s legislative session, State Assemblyman (now State Senator) Joe Simitian challenged his colleagues to put aside their political differences and "show 35 million Californians that we have the right stuff."

$100 a Day examines this story of gross injustice, political partisanship and the heroic struggle to prove Walker’s innocence and help him rebuild his life.  Ultimately, $100 a Day  is about hope - hope that in one man's quest for justice lays the inspiration for our elected officials to govern with the true strength of their convictions.