Florida’s first exonerated death row survivor, David Keaton, will join the two most recent exonerated death row survivors, Herman Lindsey (#23) and Seth Penalver (#24) in calling for an end to the death penalty. These men will also be joined by a robust group of allies including murder victims’ families, activists, and faith leaders from all over the state to call on Governor Scott and state legislators to end the death penalty in Florida.
The rally will take place on Friday, October 24th from 4-6pm on the steps of the old capitol building. Other scheduled speakers include:
Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda (D-9), a staunch advocate for abolition of the death penalty,
Johnny Zokovitch – Pax Christi USA,
Mark Elliott – Executive Director of Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty,
Phil Egitto – Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic parish in Daytona Beach,
Marda Messick – Lutheran Minister and Chair-elect of Tallahassee Citizens Against the Death Penalty,
Ingrid Delgado – Florida Catholic Conference,
Juvais Harrington – Florida Conference of the NAACP,
Miriam Elliott – Co-Coordinator of Gainesville Citizens for Alternatives to the Death Penalty,
Brant Copeland – Pastor of First Presbyterian Church,
Tim Holeda – Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church,
Elke Long – death row family member
On the decline in most parts of the Western world, the Death Penalty has become both a stain and a drain on Florida’s justice system since its reinstatement in 1979. Since then, 88 people have been put to death in the state, while a record 24 Floridians on death row have been exonerated due to wrongful convictions. The death penalty is six times as costly to the state as life imprisonment. The United States consistently ranks in the Top 5 nations for most executions, along with China, Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
Contact: Nancy O’Byrne
Statewide Coordinator, Pax Christi Florida
(904) 422-3618
Sheila Meehan
Chair, Tallahassee Citizens Against the Death Penalty
(850) 524-0080
Mark Elliott
Director, Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty
(727) 215-9646