Bernice King: We MUST Abolish the Death Penalty

Death Penalty Action
2 min readJan 15, 2021

Corey Johnson was pronounced dead at 11:34 last night, becoming the 12th victim of the Trump Administration’s unprecedented six-month execution spree. Corey’s Minister of Record, Rev. Bill Breeden, was with him when he was killed and had this to say immediately after exiting the prison.

Now Dustin Higgs is coming to grips with the reality that he is quite likely in his final 12 hours. I was with Dustin’s sister when she came to the vigil outside the prison yesterday evening. She, Dustin, and all of us are praying and hoping for the best, but we must prepare for the worst.

Six months after it started, Donald Trump’s federal execution spree may culminate tonight with the execution of a black man who didn’t kill anyone himself, carried out on the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. King’s children are speaking out, just as you have by signing our petitions. As murder victim family members themselves, Bernice King shared on Twitter and Martin Luther King III published an op-ed in the Washington Post in which he wrote:

“Friday would have been my father’s 92nd birthday. Nothing could dishonor his legacy more profoundly than if these executions go forward.”

Today, we must all work harder:

Join Us In This work!

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Finally, tonight starting at 5pm, we’ll be live with a virtual vigil via Zoom, and broadcast live to our Facebook page. We have expert commentators, music, and a live feed from the in-person vigil outside the prison at Terre Haute. Tonight we protest. Next week we organize!

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!

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Death Penalty Action

Death Penalty Action provides high visibility resources, leadership and support in order to stop executions.