Despite all our collective efforts, behind closed doors, around 10:00 in the morning on April 20, Governor DeSantis signed SB 450 into law, reducing the jury unanimity standard and requiring only 8 of 12 jurors to recommend a death sentence, making Florida the most death-friendly state in the country. However, the signing was met with immediate backlash and criticism across the state and country. You can read our press release here, which was quoted in many news stories – which are collected on our website and social media – please read and share!
Sadly, a week from today, the State of Florida plans to execute Darryl Barwick. We have one week to do everything we can to stop this execution. Please sign and share this petition urging Governor DeSantis and the Florida Board of Executive Clemency to stay the execution. For our Faith Leaders, please sign and share our Faith Leader Sign-on Letter for Darryl. These actions are open to all people from across the state, nation, and world.
If the execution is not stayed, I will be at Florida State Prison on Wednesday for our vigil and protest. Join me and allies from across the state at 5:00 pm on Wednesday, May 3. The execution is scheduled for 6:00 pm. We are also finalizing our statewide list of vigils and protests, which we will send out to you ahead of the execution. If you are interested in hosting or attending a vigil, please contact us at [email protected].
I understand that the fatigue here in Florida is real with what feels like an unending stream of bad news these days. And yet, I know that we are building a movement, and that we grow stronger every day. I still firmly believe these desperate legislative changes and the ongoing politicization of the death penalty are evidence that we are seeing the last gasp of state-sanctioned killing in Florida. We will get there. Together.
Onward,
Maria
P.S.: Please make a contribution today so we can continue to fight back in Florida, and stay tuned in the coming days on how to set up a Facebook fundraiser for your birthday or other event as one of our wonderful subscribers asked us to do!