About
Vidal Guzman was raised by a single mother of three in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City...
Raised in Harlem by a single mother of three, Vidal's journey took a turn at the age of 16 when he faced arrest and was tried as an adult. Released on probation from Rikers in 2008, Vidal encountered legal challenges once again at 19, leading to a five-year sentence in an upstate prison.
Vidal Guzman is an abolitionist, entrepreneur, and author, serving as the Executive Director and founder of America On Trial Inc. Additionally, he is the visionary behind the #AIRS Campaign, #FixThe13thNY Campaign and the End Qualified Immunity NY Campaign.
Raised in Harlem by a single mother of three, Vidal's journey took a turn at the age of 16 when he was arrested and tried as an adult. Released on probation from Rikers in 2008, he faced legal challenges again at 19, leading to a five-year sentence in an upstate prison.
Upon his return home at 24, Vidal dedicated himself to advocacy and systemic change, using his lived experience to fight for justice, criminal legal reform, and community empowerment.
Expanding his impact, Vidal transitioned to become an outreach and engagement organizer for JustLeadershipUSA. Here, he played a pivotal role in local campaigns such as #CLOSErikers and #buildCOMMUNITIES, contributing to the Close Rikers plan in 2019. The campaign secured substantial investments from the New York City Council, totaling $391 million, dedicated to communities and comprehensive criminal justice reforms.
A vocal advocate, Vidal addresses critical issues like solitary confinement, Renewable Rikers, and #EraseTheGangDatabase. His impactful work has garnered attention from various media outlets, including Success Magazine, The Guardian, National Geographic, REVOLT TV, NowThis News, and Insider .