Big Steps Toward Ending Executions in Virginia & Colorado: Help Build Momentum!
Legislation toward restricting executions in Virginia and ending executions in Colorado cleared significant hurdles today. Here’s how YOU can help those efforts build momentum toward completion, and be a part of the win!
Virginia: The Virginia Senate passed a severe mental illness (SMI) exemption bill by an overwhelming 32–7 bi-partisan vote. This will disallow the death penalty for defendants with severe mental illness at the time of the crime. Twelve of that chamber’s nineteen Republicans voted for the bill. The Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on a death penalty abolition bill on Monday morning. VADP anticipates that the House of Delegates will schedule hearings on both SMI exemption & complete death penalty abolition next week. If you live in Virginia, be sure to join, donate, and take action with Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. If you know anyone who lives in Virginia, contact them and ask them to do exactly that — join, donate and take action with VADP.
Colorado: Colorado passed a bipartisan death penalty repeal bill in the Senate by a vote of 19–15! Three Republicans supported the bill, one senator did not vote. The bill will move on to theHouse, where it is expected to pass. The governor has stated he will sign the bill. If you live in Colorado, be sure to join, donate, and take action with Coloradans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. If you know anyone who lives in Colorado, contact them and ask them to do exactly that — join, donate and take action with COADP.
What else can we do?
Keep standing up in opposition to executions.
- Death Penalty Action protests every execution. Click here to sign the petitions for the execution in Texas next week, and the execution in Tennessee on February 20.
- Plan now to participate in other protests, such as the 27th Annual Fast & Vigil to Abolish the Death Penalty at the US Supreme Court, and/or Tennessee’s March4Mercy (the next march tentatively set for Feb. 16, and click through to order postcards you and your community can send to Governor Lee).
- Support the work. Click now to help Death Penalty Action, and please also consider our friends at New Hope House in Georgia, which supports the families of the men on Georgia’s death row. There was an execution in Georgia last night.
Let us know how we can support your efforts where you live by replying to this message.
Together we are making a difference.
Thank you.
Scott & Abe, Co-Directors
PS: Like what we do? Help make it happen with your donation today, here!
