One Week for Kayle Bates

Kayle Bates, a Black Muslim veteran, is scheduled to be executed one week from today — on Tuesday, August 19 at 6 pm ET. His attorneys have filed a civil rights lawsuit challenging Florida’s racially biased and unconstitutional death warrant selection process, arguing that the state disproportionately prioritizes cases involving white victims.

Just two hours after their lawsuit was filed, Governor DeSantis signed an execution warrant for Curtis Windom, another Black man, scheduling his execution for August 28.

Curtis’ legal team has filed a brief at the Florida Supreme Court asserting that his trial included woefully incompetent representation. His trial lawyer was disbarred and went to prison after multiple drug and alcohol related arrests. These defects merit a stay of execution.

Moreover, Curtis’ daughter, Curtisia, who is also the daughter and granddaughter of two of his victims, has been adamantly opposed to his execution for decades, and is publicly pleading for mercy. She shared: “I’ve already lost my mom. I’ve already lost my grandma… this is my dad… I don’t like the decisions he’s made, but he’s not a bad person.” We stand in solidarity with Curtisia and her whole family. Please join us in lifting up their voices.

Tomorrow: Veterans Press Conference

Tomorrow morning at 11 am ET veterans will gather for a press conference to deliver a letter to Governor DeSantis urging him to stop executing fellow veterans. During his term, Governor DeSantis has executed five veterans. He himself is a veteran, and just today, he appointed Jay Collins as Lieutenant Governor. Jay Collins is a combat-wounded warrior who served for 23 years as a Green Beret.

What we need you do to today

• Read and share our press release and social media posts about Kayle’s lawsuit.
• Sign and share the petitions urging Governor DeSantis to halt the executions of both Kayle and Curtis.
• Send a message directly to Governor DeSantis — let him know that veterans, allies, and longtime residents stand against this miscarriage of justice and against Kayle and Curtis’ executions.

More ways to help

• Our friends at Death Penalty Action have petitions for you to sign on behalf of Kayle and Curtis.
• Through Catholic Mobilizing Network’s campaign, individuals are invited to contact the governor and Board of Executive Clemency to demand clemency for both Kayle and Curtis on human dignity grounds.
• The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops is leading a novena from August 6-14, 2025 calling for mercy, the dignity of life, and an end to the death penalty. Supporters can join in prayer and spiritual solidarity. More ways to take action with them can be found here.
• The Community of Sant’Egidio has launched an international appeal to save the life of Curtis Windom. Their messaging highlights Curtis’ long-term mental disability, his relationship with his family and a 27-year-long friendship with a penpal, and a quote from his July 18 letter “I want you to know that I am still alive. But I am filled with anguish and fear because they are killing two people a month here…”