Turning It Up A Notch In Tennessee

A Message from Shane Claiborne about the Tennessee March4Mercy

Screen shot of The Tennessean web page, minutes after the execution of Steve West. That’s Rev. Kevin Riggs, leading prayer outside of Riverbend Maximum Security Institution.

Dear Friend,

Steve West was electrocuted this evening in Tennessee. I pray for Steve and his friends and family, the family of his victims, his legal team, the prison workers who killed in our names, and for all of us.

There’s a new effort that’s grown out of all of these executions — now FIVE in the past year. Tennessee has not had a string of executions like this since the 1940's.

We cannot simply sit back and watch Gov. Lee execute, as he continues to profess his Christian faith. Our faith demands that we stand up for life, and for mercy. The March4Mercy reminds Governor Bill Lee that there is another way. After all, what if Jesus really meant the words he spoke?

Here are ways YOU can support and strengthen the impact of this new effort;

• Send Governor Bill Lee an e-mail at bill.lee@tn.gov AND call him at 615–741–2001. Ask him to go pray with the prisoners on death row. Ask him to stop all executions. And send him this link to the Robert’s sisters powerful letter published last Saturday, asking him to “do the right thing.”

• Order and send the postcards! In this photo is the postcard I wrote and delivered toGovernor Lee on Monday. We’re printing more, and I urge everyone to order a stack and keep flooding Governor Lee with these messages.
• Click here to make a generous donation today to help cover the costs of supporting this effort.
• December 5th is the next scheduled execution in Tennessee. Sign this petition. Unless we stop it, Lee Hall, Jr. will be killed for his murder of Traci Crozier.

Please continue to pray for the Governor, the prisoners, the legal teams representing the prisoners, and everyone involved in the system and the work to end executions.

Thank you! I want to convey a special appreciation to everyone who participated in the launch of the Tennessee March4Mercy. It was an amazing experience this past week. We are just getting started.

Yours in the Struggle,

— Shane

Chair, Death Penalty Action Advisory Board

PS: Please make the most of every opportunity to work for justice this week and every week!