With the execution of Michael Zack two weeks away, I can’t help but feel the people of the State of Florida are getting too used to this horror. There seems to be less media coverage, and less overall focus on what the State of Florida is doing in our names. I cannot tell you the number of conversations I have weekly with people in this state who don’t even know that executions are happening. That tells me we need to do better. We must continue to stand up and speak out.
Michael’s lawyers are fighting tirelessly to stop his execution, telling the courts that we should not be executing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities such as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and detailing the horrific childhood Michael had to endure.
Over 1,000 people have signed this petition urging Governor DeSantis and the Florida Board of Executive Clemency to stay Michael’s execution. If you have not already done so, please take a minute to sign and share the petition today.
For our Faith Leaders, please add your name to this letter urging a stay for Michael. The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops has also sent a letter to Governor DeSantis urging him to stay Michael’s execution.
If the execution proceeds, I will be at Florida State Prison starting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 3, for our vigil and protest. I hope you will join me there or attend one of the vigils and protests across the state. If you can’t attend in person, please join us for a virtual vigil. Our vigils and protests website page will be regularly updated with the latest information.
I refuse to become complacent or desensitized by this state-sponsored killing, and I’m asking you to stand up and speak out with me.
Onward,
Maria DeLiberato
Executive Director
P.S. I am happy to report we are just $2,234 away from hitting 50% of our annual individual donations goal of $19,341. More than 6,000 people receive our emails – that means that if every single one of you donates just $1 we will be 70% of the way there. Will you give today?