Alabama Execution Called Off!
With less than hour to go before the execution warrant ran out, the US Supreme Court upheld the religious freedom injunction that had been imposed on the state of Alabama, preventing the execution from going forward. Congratulations and thank you to the legal team!
Donate Now to Fight Executions!
More than 33,000 people signed the petition to Governor Kay Ivey, asking her to stop Alabama’s planned execution of Willie Smith yesterday evening. It is appalling that Governor Ivey refused to intervene, but we are grateful that a majority of the US Supreme Court upheld the stay granted by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.
It is also appalling that the issue that stopped the execution was not Willie Smith’s intellectual disability. It was whether Willie’s pastor could be in the room with him when they killed him. There is so much that can be said, and more to be done, but it is late.
Thank YOU for taking action. You made the difference tonight. And the work goes on. Will you help us be ready to stop the next execution?
Yours in the Struggle,
— Abe
Abraham J. Bonowitz, Director of Death Penalty Action
PS: If you prefer to donate with a check, our address is PO Box 89, Ghent, NY 12075. Thank you!