Cities for Life 2024
“Cities for Life” is an annual global event initiated in 2002 by the Community of Sant’Egidio, a lay Catholic association dedicated to abolishing the death penalty. Each year on November 30, approximately 2,000 cities across more than 80 countries commemorate the Grand Duchy of Tuscany’s 1786 decision to abolish capital punishment—the first by a civil state. Participating cities illuminate significant monuments and organize events to advocate for the end of the death penalty worldwide.
Cities for Life Rome
Rome hosts the annual Cities for Life – Cities Against the Death Penalty Initiative, an event that highlights the death penalty as a profound violation of human rights and as a form of torture that contradicts justice’s rehabilitative purpose.
Friday, Nov. 29 | 5:00 p.m.
The event begins on November 29 with an International Conference at the Protomoteca Hall in Campidoglio, featuring speakers such as the Mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, exonerated death row survivor Gary Drinkard, and activists from around the world.
Saturday, Nov. 30 | 6:00 p.m.
On November 30, the Colosseum will be illuminated at 6:00 PM as a powerful symbol against the death penalty, accompanied by remarks from key leaders and advocates. Both events will be live-streamed for a global audience. For more information, click here.
Cities for Life Daytona
Saturday, Nov. 30 | 7:00 p.m. ET
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church Grotto
1014 N. Halifax Ave, Daytona Beach, FL 32118
Join us as we illuminate the night in a global event taking place in over 1200 cities and towns around the world that supports the abolition of the death penalty and demands a stay of all executions worldwide! We will show our opposition to the death penalty…and for life. Questions? Call 386.255.0433 or click here.
Cities for Life Tallahassee
Tuesday, Dec. 3 | 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. ET
Good Shepherd Catholic Church
4665 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee, FL
Join us and cities around the world pray to abolish the death penalty. All are welcome! Guest Speaker: Herman Lindsey, Exec. Dir., Witness to Innocence and 23rd exoneree from Florida’s death row. Bilingual service in Spanish and English. Click here for more information.
Cities for Life 2023
“Cities for Life” was started in 2002 by the Community of Sant’ Egidio, a lay Catholic association and global leader in death penalty abolition.
Each year on November 30, an estimated 2,000 cities in more than 80 countries celebrate the first abolition of the death penalty by a civil state, decreed by the Grand Duchy of Tuscany in 1786.
Cities for Life Tallahassee
Featuring Bishop William Wack; Andy and Kate Grosmaire, who found strength to forgive the killer of their daughter; and FADP Executive Director Maria DeLiberato
Thursday, Nov. 30 | 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. ET
Good Shepherd Catholic Church | Tallahassee, FL
Faithful gathering to pray for demise of death penalty | Tallahassee Democrat
Cities for Life Daytona
Featuring FADP Board Vice Chair Herman Lindsey and fellow Board Member Clemente Aguirre, two men who were wrongfully convicted and exonerated from Florida’s Death Row.
Thursday, Nov. 30 | 6:00 p.m. ET
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church | Daytona Beach, FL
Cities for Life 2022
Cities for Life Tallahassee
Featuring FADP Executive Director Maria DeLiberato
Wednesday, Nov. 30 | 7 p.m. ET
Good Shepherd Catholic Church | Tallahassee, FL
Cities for Life Daytona
Featuring Kate Grosmaire, author of “Forgiving My Daughter’s Killer: A True Story of Loss, Faith, and Unexpected Grace”
Wednesday, Nov. 30 | 6:00 p.m. ET
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church | Daytona Beach, FL
Cities for Life Key West
An ecumenical candlelight prayer service
Wednesday, Nov. 30 | 7 p.m. ET
The Basilica of St. Mary Star of the Sea | Key West, FL
Cities for Life Crestview All are invited to join Bishop William Wack at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in praying for the efforts to end capital punishment in the state of Florida.
Wednesday, November 30 | 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church | 550 Adams Dr., Crestview, FL
For more information about FADP’s participation in prior Cities for Life events, click here to view our archive!
November 30, 2021 Diocese of St. Augustine Cities for Life Parts I and II
Final DOSA_Cities For Life Flyer_2021
Read about our 2018 events on November 30.
See coverage of Florida’s 2016 World Day of Cities for Life events here.
Preview of Florida’s 2015 World Day of Cities for Life events here.
Since 2002, the Community of Sant’Egidio has organized the International Day of Cities for Life, Cities against the Death Penalty, which takes place every year on November 30 – on the anniversary of the first abolition of the death penalty on the part of a State, the Grand Duchy of Tuscany on November 30, 1786.
FADP began participating in the International Day of Cities for Life, Cities against the Death Penalty, in 2015, when we joined the Community of Sant’Egidio in Rome. for the annual lighting of the colosseum.