It is with a broken heart that I’m writing to share the news that one of our founding board members, Jonathan E. Gradess, passed away last week. I met Jonathan 15 years ago, on the eve of the nation’s first successful death penalty abolition campaign. The courts had just thrown out New York’s death penalty…
In September, Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty (CCATDP) hosted its first national gathering for staff, supporters, and volunteers from across the country. We converged on New Orleans and spent two thrilling days talking about our numerous recent victories and strategizing for future campaigns. The past year has been amazing. Conservatives were the deciding votes…
Statement by Shari Silberstein, Executive Director of Equal Justice USA: “Despite substantial evidence that the death penalty is overrun by racism and the process preys upon the poor and those struggling with trauma, the federal government has made a choice to begin executing again. Executions and death sentences are at historic lows because, as a…
The death penalty is history in New Hampshire. The state Senate just voted to override the governor’s veto, making New Hampshire the ninth state since 2007 to repeal the death penalty. This happened because Americans across the land have recognized that our justice system is profoundly broken. New Hampshire’s victory today reflects just how…
Statement by Shari Silberstein, Executive Director of Equal Justice USA: “The leaders in New Hampshire who made history today deserve the highest praise for recognizing the injustice of a deeply broken system and coming together across party lines to move the state forward. I believe more states across the nation, inspired by what New Hampshire…
It’s been a long time since the death penalty has grabbed so much public attention. Where to begin? Maybe where you least expect it. Ending the death penalty nationwide: “You can feel the momentum…” Conservatives have become a force in the growing movement to repeal the death penalty. Leading off, there’s a good chance that…
Join the EJUSA Evangelical Network at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary on Tuesday, April 2nd. We will be in discussion with community leaders including leadership from the Seminary’s staff, the sister of Officer Bruce VanderJagt who was murdered in 1997, and Billy Neal Moore, a minister and former death row inmate. The event will…
California Halts Executions! Governor Gavin Newsom has announced an executive order that will halt all executions in the state of California. In addition to this, the order will also close the state’s death chamber and pull the current execution protocol. The governor called the practice of capital punishment “discriminatory, unjust, and inconsistent with our bedrock…
Statement by Shari Silberstein, Executive Director of Equal Justice USA: “Governor Newsom has written a new chapter in the history of justice reform. This is a sweeping move that reflects just how deeply the death penalty has failed. My hope is this will also lead Americans to reconsider our nation’s approach to violence overall. Our…
Next Thursday, March 14, Sister Helen Prejean, best selling author of Dead Man Walking, presents Lynching, The Death Penalty, and Beyond, hosted by the UL Lafayette Criminal Justice Society. The event will take place from 3:30-5:00 pm at the UL Lafayette Oliver Hall, 301 E. Lewis St. Please RSVP and stop by to take part in this important discussion!