Friends,
September has been another relentless month in Florida, but even as we respond to each new execution, we are continuing the deeper work of building a movement that can change where our state goes from here.

This month, we’re launching a new effort to bring together murder victim family members who oppose the death penalty and getting excited for FSU’s International Human Rights and the Death Penalty Symposium on November 13. We’re also very glad to welcome a new employee to the FADP team, and sad to say goodbye to a longtime one. Keep reading to meet our newest staff member and learn more about these efforts — and everything else happening Meanwhile in Florida.

Onward,
Grace Hanna
Executive Director, FADP

📣 Calling All Victim Families Against the Death Penalty 📣 

Have you lost a loved one to murder and come to oppose the death penalty? This fall, FADP is bringing together murder victim family members from across Florida and beyond for a sign-on letter to our next governor. We want to show that there are many of us who have endured devastating loss but do not believe another death will heal us or make our communities safer. If this reflects your experience, we hope you’ll add your name — and please share the letter with others who may wish to stand with us.

Sign The Letter

November 13: Death Penalty Symposium in Tallahassee Featuring Sister Helen Prejean and More

On November 13, international experts on the death penalty will gather in Tallahassee for the FSU College of Law’s International Human Rights and the Death Penalty Symposium. Distinguished speakers include Sister Helen Prejean; Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, former President of Mongolia; Mario Marazziti, former deputy in Italy’s Camera dei Deputati; Mark Olive, a nationally recognized death penalty litigation expert; Professor Corinna Barrett Lain, University of Richmond School of Law; Professor William Schabas, Middlesex University, London; Robin Maher, Executive Director of the Death Penalty Information Center, and more. FADP’s Executive Director Grace Hanna and Legal and Policy Director Maria DeLiberato will both be speaking, too!

Make plans to travel to Tallahassee, or watch from home! Watch parties are encouraged. There’s truly something for everyone, and we’re excited to be supporting this incredible event.

Register to Attend In-Person or Online

Meet Stephan!

There’s a new face at FADP! Late last month, Stephan Pineda joined our team as Community Organizer.

Stephan began his career on the stage as an actor, director, and producer, using performance to encourage reflection and dialogue about the issues affecting our communities.

He later brought that same passion for education and connection into the classroom. At the SEED School of Miami — Florida’s only tuition-free, college-preparatory boarding school — Stephan spent years teaching and advocating alongside students from historically underserved communities. He was recognized as Teacher of the Year before moving into a leadership role focused on admissions, development, communications, and other initiatives supporting the school’s mission.

At FADP, Stephan will help strengthen local and regional networks of people working to end Florida’s death penalty. We’re so glad to have him with us, and we can’t wait for you to get to know him!

A Note From Bridget Maloney, FADP’s (Former) Communications Director ✍️

Many of you have met me (or at least gotten emails from me!) over the last five years. Working to end Florida’s death penalty at FADP has been the honor of my life. And now, I’m on to a new adventure because of this work: earlier this month, I began my career as a public defender. While the work is different, the values that guide it are the same — that no human being is the worst thing they’ve ever done, that victims deserve healing, and that hopelessness is never a strategy. Thank you for being in the fight with me, and for continuing to carry the work forward. FADP will always be a part of me (literally… Maria, Grace, and I got FADP tattoos together), and I believe that we are closer than ever to ending the death penalty. Onward ❤️

Florida Death Penalty Dictionary

• Direct Appeal: The first appeal after someone is sentenced to death in Florida. It is mandatory and heard directly by the Florida Supreme Court. No new evidence or witnesses are permitted — it only addresses issues that occurred during the trial and sentencing.
• Writ: A formal written order issued by a court or legal authority that commands a person/entity to perform or stop an action/behavior.

Reading List

• Arizona Mirror: an exploration of the experiences of survivors of unsolved homicides in Arizona (Karen Dana)
• CalMatters: a look at whether Gov Newsom might commute all death sentences in California before leaving office this winter (Maurice Chammah and Jill Castellano)
• National Catholic Reporter: 3-part series on Briley Piper, the only person on South Dakota’s death row (Camilo Barone)

On the Road

Gainesville, FL: Q+A with Florida death row exoneree Joaquín José Martínez after a screening of The Window on Death Row.

Orlando, FL: Stephan and Grace at a symposium with other anti death penalty groups.

Brick, NJ: Bridget and Grace spent some time at the shore together this summer.

Jacksonville, FL: Spreading the word about Florida’s broken death penalty.

North Cascades National Park: Maria in a face off with a goat — a story that brought many laughs to death row!