This. Is. Big. Virginia, a former Confederate state that has executed more people than any other state in the country, just just voted to end the death penalty, with the House of Delegates passing an abolition bill 57-41. Virginia’s achievement today once again sounds the death penalty’s demise. But it does more than that. It… Continue reading Virginia lawmakers vote to end the death penalty
Tag: Death Penalty
Issue
Leadership Transition at EJUSA
A Mover of Mountains
The world lost a giant yesterday. Bill Pelke, founder of Journey of Hope…from Violence to Forgiveness, passed away in his home in Alaska after suffering a heart attack. Bill is the heart behind the anti-death penalty’s powerful mantra “love and compassion for all of humanity.” He came to this vision — and spread the message… Continue reading A Mover of Mountains
From Lynchings to Executions
This week, our allies at the Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC) released “Enduring Injustice: The Persistence of Racial Discrimination in the Death Penalty System.” For the ever-growing number of people who pay attention to justice issues, that blunt subtitle does not come as a shock. That doesn’t make this report — written by Ngozi Ndulue,… Continue reading From Lynchings to Executions
A Tribute to Serena Simmons Connelly
EJUSA mourns the death of one of our long-time partners, Serena Simmons Connelly. To read more about Serena’s incredible life and commitment to justice, you can see her obituary in the Dallas Morning News. I want to celebrate Serena’s life by sharing some personal memories of the friend I’ve known for almost 20 years. One… Continue reading A Tribute to Serena Simmons Connelly
A Historic Victory in Colorado
Yesterday, Gov. Jared Polis put the final signature in place on a multi-year effort to rid Colorado of the death penalty. The Rocky Mountain state is the 22nd to repeal the death penalty and the 10th state to repeal in the past 13 years. This contributes great momentum to the movement to wipe out capital… Continue reading A Historic Victory in Colorado
The New EJUSA Website!
I’m so proud to kick off 2020 with two big announcements. First, EJUSA is turning 30 years old this year! And we’re celebrating this milestone with this new website! The site is a declaration of our bold vision for justice reimagined. With your support, we’re transforming what justice is. We’re rejecting mass incarceration, executions, police… Continue reading The New EJUSA Website!
Families of Murder Victims to Call on Lawmakers to End the Death Penalty
Family members of murder victims will gather for a press conference at the Colorado State Capitol Monday morning to call on lawmakers to end Colorado’s death penalty. Below is the letter they will be presenting, signed by more than 55 Coloradans who have lost loved ones to violence. January 27, 2020 To the Members of… Continue reading Families of Murder Victims to Call on Lawmakers to End the Death Penalty
Highs and Lows
Each December, the team at the Death Penalty Information Center provides an enormous and essential service to justice reform when it releases its annual year-end report. The report tells the comprehensive story—in statistics and graphics, in narrative, and in expert analysis—of the death penalty in the U.S. for the previous 12 months. The reports of… Continue reading Highs and Lows
The Gibbons Fund — Our First Three Years
EJUSA launched the John J. Gibbons Fund in 2016 to honor the life and legacy of Judge John J. Gibbons, former Chief Judge of the Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge Gibbons was a tireless advocate who used his position to protect and expand civil rights, civil liberties, and human rights in our nation.… Continue reading The Gibbons Fund — Our First Three Years