“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.
Last year, I traveled to Tallahassee to attend Good Shepherd Catholic Church’s Cities for Life event. I was joined by Deacon Andy Grosmaire and other speakers for this special event, calling for an end to the death penalty in Florida, and globally. I shared stories of my personal experiences representing both the guilty and the innocent on Florida’s death row – stories of hope, resilience, and redemption. You can watch my speech from last year in full here.
I’m delighted to be invited back this year to give the Legislative Update. Please join me, Bishop William Wack, and Andy and Kate Grosmaire, who found the strength to forgive the killer of their daughter, at Good Shepherd Catholic Church’s Cities for Life event. The event begins at 7 pm and we hope to see you there.
Last year, FADP Vice Chair Herman Lindsey attended the Cities for Life event in Rome, Italy. This year, he will join fellow FADP Board Member Clemente Aguirre at Our Lady of Lourdes in Daytona, FL, at 6 pm this Thursday, November 30. You don’t want to miss their inspiring and heartbreaking exoneration stories.
Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday, and as you know, we are working hard to reach our end-of-year fundraising goal. Further, a generous FADP supporter has pledged to match all donations up to $15,000. In just over a week, we have raised $800 toward our goal. Help us get there!
Onward,
Maria DeLiberato
FADP Executive Director
P.S. We have set a short-term goal to raise $1,000 during the 24 hours of Giving Tuesday. Remember that every dollar counts, and every dollar (up to $15,000) will be matched! Please consider contributing today.