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"the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice." - MLK 

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World Day Against the Death Penalty (Oct 10)

October 11, 2021
By Tracy Abler, Justice Coordinator

Yesterday, October 10th, was World Day Against the Death Penalty. The theme this year is women on death row.  Many organizations are still hosting on-line events this week – details below.

Tomorrow’s execution of Stephen Barbee in Texas was stayed, for the same reason that John Ramirez's execution was recently stayed. While the US Supreme Court is showing no mercy for death row inmates with intellectual disabilities, it definitely wants to rule on the issue of whether a prisoner may have their pastor in the killing chamber, praying out loud and touching them as they are being put to death.  This same thing stopped the execution in Alabama of Willie Smith earlier this year, but now that the protocol has been changed, his execution is scheduled for October 21st.  See below to register for his virtual vigil.

Voices of Experience on the Death Penalty: Right Here, Right Now: Life Stories from America’s Death Row
Thursday, Oct 14 at 12:30pm EDT
This program will feature Lynden Harris, Founder and Director of Hidden Voices, and Kathryn Hunter Williams, Associate Director of Hidden Voices for a conversation about their work and their new book, Right Here, Right Now: Life Stories from America’s Death Row. Register here.

Women on Death Row, co-sponsored by Death Penalty Action, Death Penalty Focus & Witness to Innocence, featuring Diann Rust-Tierney, Executive Director of the National Coalition
Friday, October 15 at 3pm EDT
To Abolish the Death Penalty, and death row survivors (Death Penalty Action Advisory Board Member) Sunny Jacobs and Witness to Innocence member Sabrina Butler-Smith. They will be discussing their experiences in the criminal justice system, their journey to freedom, and how they have dedicated themselves to ending the death penalty. Register here.

#NoDeathPenaltyOhio
Sunday, Oct 17 at 2pm EDT
A worship service in advance of Ohio's Death Penalty Abolition lobby week sponsored by Death Penalty Action, Journey of Hope ...From Violence to Healing and the Ohio Council of Churches, featuring Death Penalty Action Board Member Rev. Sharon Risher, whose mother was killed in the 2015 church massacre in Charleston, South Carolina. Register here.

Virtual Execution Vigil for Willie Smith in Alabama
Thursday, October 21 at 5pm CDT
A live, informative and prayerful on-line vigil will begin at 5pm CDT. Register here to be a part of the live audience, or watch on the Death Penalty Action Facebook Page.

Many thanks to those who write to inmates on death row.  The execution calendar is routinely updated on the JPIC website. Members of the JPIC Committee also write letters and prayer for them and their families.  On the day of their execution, a candle is lit at the Motherhouse.

Invitation Only