The Florida Senate

Florida Senate President Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton) today released the following statement following a unanimous vote by Florida’s Executive Clemency Board to pardon members of the Groveland Four.

“I was pleased to see today’s action by Governor DeSantis, Attorney General Moody, CFO Patronis, and Commissioner Fried to approve a pardon of the Groveland Four. We all deserve fair and equal treatment under our laws. It is abundantly clear that time and time again the criminal justice system failed to protect the basic constitutional rights of these men. The Senate conveyed its heartfelt apology to the members of the Groveland Four: Ernest Thomas, Samuel Shepherd, Walter Irvin and Charles Greenlee and their families through the passage of HCR 631 in 2017, and I am pleased to see the vision of that resolution enacted here today.”