“Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.” -the late Congressman John Lewis.
It’s been a heartbreaking year. It would be easy to throw up our hands and say there isn’t much we can do to change anything. But that’s not my way and I know it’s not yours.
And it’s certainly not the way of working for justice. It’s always been hard.
I need you to know that next year will also be challenging. It will be exhausting. But we will keep at it until the death penalty is a thing of the past. That’s our struggle.
We will approach 2024 with optimism, determination, and a commitment to grow our power. To speak out and make some noise. To get in good, necessary trouble. Together. That is the only strategy that will stop Florida’s killing machine.
This summer, I shared with you my January journey to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro and together we set a goal to raise $1 for every one of the 19,341 feet I climbed. We came close, and raised $10,000 towards our organizing needs. With your generous year-end gift we can meet our goal.
In spite of this year’s struggles, including a heartbreaking six executions, FADP achieved greater growth in our membership than at any time in our organization’s history. We’ve welcomed more than five thousand new subscribers to our email list and hundreds of new followers on social media.
And I’ve saved the most exciting development for last – FADP is growing! Last month, we were honored with a grant from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development that will allow us to hire a full-time Director of Organizing.
What does this mean for 2024? With our first-ever dedicated organizer on the ground here in Florida, we aim to more than double our number of statewide supporters. We will train and mentor new leaders, with an emphasis on Floridians who have been directly impacted by the justice system. And we resolve continue to oppose executions, and speak out against the Governor’s politicization of this life and death issue.
I know you’re all in. You’ve proven that time and again. But with a growing staff and bigger goals comes increased expenses.
We have two months left in the year and a new goal: $15,000 by December 31. It’s a modest goal but one that is absolutely crucial if we are to take our work to the next level.
I refuse to be deterred by the brutality of this year. Will you get in good, necessary trouble with us?
Onward,
Maria DeLiberato
FADP Executive Director