Dear Friends,
Next Tuesday (July 28), the State of Florida plans to execute two men. James Duckett, scheduled for execution at noon, has long maintained his innocence — and the State destroyed the evidence that could have proven it. Dominick Occhicone, scheduled for execution at 6pm, is over 80-years-old and was sent to death row by a vote of just 7-5. This is the first time in the history of Florida’s modern death penalty that they’ll be attempting to execute two men in one day, and it’s important that we show up and ensure our voices are heard.
Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty will be gathering with partners at Florida State Prison, across the state, and online. Additional demonstrations may be announced through our website and emails to those in the area. Here’s how you can join:
Florida State Prison
Execution Day | 11:00 am
Execution Day | 5:00 pm
Join Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP) and allies from across the state at 5:00 p.m. for a vigil ahead of the scheduled execution. Gather in the designated area across the highway from the Death Chamber at Florida State Prison, 23916 NW 83rd Ave, Raiford, FL 32026. The execution is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Signs are encouraged.
23916 NW 83rd Ave, Raiford, FL 32026
Contact: [email protected]
We have secured an (air-conditioned!) area for everyone to pass the time between the two vigils. Lunch will be provided. Just let us know at [email protected] once your plans are confirmed so that we can share the meeting place with you. Of course, all are welcome to attend one or both. Carpools are available from Gainesville and Daytona Beach.
- Local speed limits are strictly enforced. Florida State Prison is on the West side of SR-16 (Raiford Road). The protest area and entry road are opposite the main entrance to the Florida State Prison on the East side of SR-16, and is designated “New River Correctional Institution.” Corrections staff will be available to guide you.
- There is a bathroom located at the SE corner of the red brick building. Check with DOC staff for availability.
- We are unaware of any restrictions on the nature of signs. FADP recommends clear and concise messages, printed boldly, with high contrast between the text and the background. FADP will have some signs available.
- Wear closed shoes and socks to protect yourself from the occasional presence of fire ants. Hats may be helpful.
- Be aware of what you bring and carry, and of your demeanor, and stay within the designated protest area or between that area and the adjacent parking area. You may wish to bring umbrellas (for sun or rain) and bottled water.
Virtual Vigils
Join Death Penalty Action and Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty for a live, informative, and prayerful online vigil beginning at 5 pm ET. We’ll check in with live on-the-ground vigils at the prison, and we’ll continue until the execution is either stayed or completed. Register to be a part of the live audience, or watch on the Death Penalty Action Facebook Page.
Catholics for Abolition in North Carolina
Execution Day | 7:00 pm
Members and friends of Catholics for Abolition in North Carolina gather to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet following each execution. Register to receive the link and the text of the Chaplet if you’d like to pray on your own.
Diocese of St. Augustine Parish Schedule
Execution Day | 6:00 to 7:00 pm
Corpus Christi
(Holy Hour) in Adoration Chapel
6175 Datil Pepper Rd, St. Augustine
Execution Day | 9:00 am to 9 pm
St Joseph
(Day of Adoration) in Cody Adoration Chapel
4152 Loretto Rd, Jacksonville
Execution Day | 3:30 to 4:30 pm
St Anastasia
(Holy Hour)
5205 A1A S, St Augustine
Execution Day | 5:45 pm
St Anastasia
(Prayer Vigil)
5205 A1A S, St Augustine
Execution Day | 1:00 to 3:00 pm
National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios
Exposition in Main Church
101 San Marco Ave, St Augustine
Execution Day | 8:00 to 9:00 am
Santa Maria del Mar
(Holy Hour) in Main Church
915 N Central Ave, Flagler Beach
Palm Beach Gardens
Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola Chapel, 9999 Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
Prayer vigil in the Chapel and Sign Holding Outside (weather permitting)
Contact: Deanna Herbst-Hoosac [email protected] or (561) 360-3330
Diocese of Venice
Execution Day | 5:30 pm
Chapel at San Pedro Catholic Church, 14380 Tamiami Trail North Port, FL 34287
On the day of execution, we meet at San Pedro at 5:30 pm. The vigil usually lasts about 45 minutes. We begin with a reminder of why we are there and pray together until 6:00 pm (that’s when the execution is usually scheduled). There is a pause for a minute of silent prayer for the condemned and then finish the prayers left in the program (usually by 6:15 pm).
Pinellas
Northwest corner of Ulmerton Road and 49th Street North in mid-Pinellas County
Join Tampa Bay area death penalty abolitionists for a vigil opposing the execution from 5:00-6:00 PM on the northwest corner of Ulmerton Road and 49th Street North in mid-Pinellas County. The execution is scheduled for 6:00 PM. This is where death penalty opponents have gathered during executions for many years. It is at the intersection of two main roads in Pinellas County, and it is near the court and jail complex. Park in the vacant lot behind Checkers. We will provide signs, or you can bring your own. If the execution is stayed, the vigil will be cancelled.
Contact: John and Sheila at [email protected] or (727) 492-1590.
Tallahassee
Good Shepherd Catholic Church — Mercy and Justice Core Community
Prayer Vigil | Execution Day | 9:30 am
Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 4665 Thomasville Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32309
Tallahassee Citizens Against the Death Penalty
Execution Day | 12:00 pm
Execution Day | 6:00 pm
Governor’s Mansion, 700 N. Adams St., Tallahassee, FL 32303
Tallahassee Citizens Against the Death Penalty (TCADP) will host a candlelight Vigil in front of the Governor’s mansion at the time of the execution. Fencing and metal barricades have been placed around the outside perimeter of the mansion. The Vigil will take place outside the perimeter in the small parking area that faces the mansion. You can access it from N. Monroe by turning on E. 1st Street towards the mansion.
Tallahassee Citizens Against the Death Penalty
Day After Execution | 12:00 pm
Capitol Rotunda, 400 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399
TCADP Facebook Group
If the execution takes place, Tallahassee Citizens Against the Death Penalty (TCADP) will hold a Service of Remembrance.
If there were ever a time to attend a vigil, this is it.
I still remember what it felt like to attend my first vigil at Florida State Prison in February 2023. I wondered if I would know anyone or if there would be people there to confront us. Instead, I found a compassionate community of people united by the belief that every human life has dignity and that state killing is not justice.
On July 28, Florida plans to do something unprecedented in its modern era: carry out two executions in a single day. I hope you’ll join us in bearing witness. At a moment when the state seeks to demonstrate its greatest power, our presence is a quiet but powerful reminder that another path is possible. I hope to see you there.
Onward,
Grace Hanna
Executive Director
FADP