10 years ago today, my client Larry Mann, was executed by the State of Florida, just 10 days after Easter. I wasn’t sure I would be able to keep doing this work, but deep down I knew that I must. I still carry the Bible that he left me, as a reminder to keep fighting. It pains me that Florida has resumed executions, with two currently scheduled, and one of them just days away. We are in the last few days of the fight for Louis Gaskin, and in the first few days of the fight for Darryl Barwick, set for execution on May 3rd.
Here is what is happening this week and how you can help:
Tonight at 7 PM I will be joining Herman Lindsey, Florida’s 23rd death row exoneree and FADP’s Board Vice Chair; Bridget Maloney, FADP’s Communications Coordinator; and the ACLU of Florida for a virtual panel. We will be discussing the non-unanimity bill, the upcoming executions, and more. The event will be live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube.
Tomorrow at 8:30 AM the Florida Senate Rules Committee will hear SB 1342, a bill that would expand Florida’s death penalty to crimes that do not result in the death of the victim. This is the bill’s last stop before it heads to the full Senate for a vote. Take action NOW. Contact the members of the Rules Committee and urge them to vote NO on this bill.
The State of Florida is preparing to execute Louis Gaskin on Wednesday at 6 PM. Assuming the execution proceeds, please join me; Ron Wright, Florida’s 27th death row exoneree and FADP Board Member; and allies from across the state at Florida State Prison for a vigil and protest. We will gather beginning at 5 PM across from the prison. Click here to view our press release for the event. In conjunction with Death Penalty Action, we will be participating in a virtual vigil starting at 5 PM, which you can join here.
We are finalizing our list of vigils and protests across the state and plan to send out the full list tomorrow, Tuesday. Please visit our website and let us know if you have any additions, changes, or questions about any of the events. We will be updating the website page through Wednesday.
It is going to be a long, hard, week. But we can do hard things. Together.
Onward,
Maria DeLiberato
FADP Executive Director
PS: Everything FADP is able to accomplish is thanks to your support. Please consider contributing today so we can make sure our voices are heard.
Before he was executed, Larry painted these portraits of my dogs Bunker and Mindy. While all three of them have passed on, I look to these paintings every day as a reminder to keep going.