Rodney Reed at US Supreme Court this Friday: Support the Vigil!
“Does the conviction or execution of a person who is actually innocent of the crime violate the United States Constitution?”
The nine Justices of the US Supreme Court will be considering whether to take up Rodney Reed’s case during their regular 10am conference this Friday morning, November 15th.
The petition for certiorari includes several questions for the Court to consider. Question #3 is: “Does the conviction or execution of a person who is actually innocent of the crime violate the United States Constitution?” In 2019, it is difficult to believe that this is a question yet to be decided.
Death Penalty Action co-Director Abe Bonowitz will join with Rodney’s brother Rodrick Reed and sister-in-law Wana Akpan and other supporters in a vigil on the sidewalk in front of the US Supreme Court starting at 7:30pm on Thursday, November 14, overnight, until 11am on Friday. Supporters are invited to join them at any point.
URGENT CALL FOR SUPPORT: When overnighting on Capitol Hill, it makes a BIG difference to have a safe place and restrooms just 75 yards away, in the United Methodist Church building. We get to rent the room ($250), and pay security while the building is closed — that’s $40/hour x 13 hours = $520. Do we absolutely need this? No. Are we going to take care of the people who will prayerfully vigil for Rodney Reed and the cause of justice overnight? Hell yes! Please help cover these costs: Paypal is best as we get immediate access to the cash: Otherwise, please click here.
At 9:30am on Friday, November 15, there will be an interfaith and multi-denominational Global Solidarity Prayer Service to call for wisdom and a just decision by the US Supreme Court. A Facebook Event page is here. The service will be live-streamed on the Death Penalty Action Facebook page.
Clergy in clerical garb as well as all supporters and friends are urged to participate in the following ways:
#1 — Be present with us on the sidewalk in front of the US Supreme Court starting by 9am or earlier, and encourage others to join you.
#2 — Issue a call for prayer in solidarity via all appropriate networks. Post a video comment on social media and tag #FreeRodneyReed
#3 — Urge everyone to sign this petition, which specifically addresses the Bastrop County District Attorney, the only individual who can unilaterally withdraw the execution warrant.
On behalf of Wana Akpan, Rodrick Reed and the Reed Justice Initiative, thank you. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you. And…
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Developments are happening almost daily on this case. We get to keep the pressure on! See updates on this and other urgent matters on the Death Penalty Action Facebook page.
Please call the following every day with the message “Stop Rodney Reed’s execution”:
- Governor Greg Abbott: 512–463–2000
- Bastrop County DA Bryan Goertz: 512–581–7125
- Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles: 512–406–5852. Send your own e-mail to the TBPP regarding Rodney Reed TDCJ #999271 to bpp_clemency@tdcj.texas.gov.
Please share the petition on social media — unless a stay is granted by the US Supreme Court, we are planning to deliver signatures on November 18th:
* Tell Bastrop County #Texas DA Bryan Goertz to stop the execution of #RodneyReed. Sign & share @DeathPenaltyAct petition: #RodneyReedIsInnocent #FreeRodneyReed Now! https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/rodney-reed-is-innocent-free-him-now #TestTheDNA #TX #DeathPenalty
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Also — Federal executions may resume for the first time in more than 16 years starting December 9th. Learn more and take action here.
Thank you. Yours in the Struggle,
— Abe & Scott
Co-Directors, Death Penalty Action.
PS: Please chip in $5 or more — as much as possible, really — using a credit card, Paypal or you can even do it the traditional way and send send a check. We can only do this work because of YOU! The info you need is here. Please make the most of every opportunity to work for justice this week and every week!
