“Each of us is more than the worst thing we have ever done.” Bryan Stevenson, author of Just Mercy.
Donald Dillbeck has spent the last three decades on death row atoning for the worst thing he has ever done, yet the State of Florida plans to kill him on February 23 at 6 pm, one week from today.
It is undisputed that Donald suffers from significant and permanent brain damage due to extreme exposure to alcohol in utero, and it is further undisputed that his early years were marked with severe physical and sexual abuse – until he was finally forcibly removed from his mother’s care. Four of his original jurors voted to spare his life. In no other State in the country would his execution be legal.
If the State carries out this execution, the message will be that the State does not care about protecting vulnerable children, or about providing access to mental health treatment. It says the State does not believe redemption is possible. It is up to us to tell Governor DeSantis that is NOT how the PEOPLE of the State of Florida feel. Take action now and ask Governor DeSantis to commute Donald’s sentence to life without the possibility of parole.
While we always remain hopeful that our opposition is loud enough and forceful enough to stop this execution, if the execution proceeds, we will be supporting vigils and protests around the State. I will personally be at Florida State Prison beginning at 5:00 p.m. on February 23rd and will remain through the execution.
Join us:
FADP will be at Florida State Prison on February 23 at 5:00 pm
Good Shepherd Death Penalty Prayer Service on February 23 at 9:30 am
Allendale United Methodist Church Anti-Death Penalty Vigil on February 23 at 5:00 pm
Diocese of Venice Prayer Vigil on February 23 at 5:30 pm
Diocese of Palm Beach on February 23 at 5:30 pm
TCADP Vigil at the Governor’s Mansion on February 23 at 6:00 pm
TCADP at the Capitol Rotunda February 24 at 12:00 pm
If you have questions about events in your area or are interested in getting involved or hosting a vigil, please contact [email protected].
We have a long, hard week ahead of us. We will stay strong. We will stay united. We will not stay silent.
Onward,
Maria DeLiberato
FADP Executive Director