Protesting the Death Penalty

Levels of Engagement

Level 1 - SIGN

Add your name to petitions.

Level 2 - WRITE

Send emails/letters.

Level 3 - CALL

Pick up the phone and call people!

LISA MONTGOMERY (Jan 12)

In 2004, Lisa Montgomery strangled a pregnant woman to death and used a kitchen knife to remove the unborn baby from the victim's uterus so she could kidnap the girl. In 2007, she was convicted of federal kidnapping resulting in death and handed a death sentence. Lisa Montgomery is set to become the first woman executed on federal death row in nearly 70 years.

  1. Sign
  1. President Trump: Please Stop the Federal Executions
  2. Tell President Trump to Stop the Execution of Lisa Montgomery

  1. Write
  1. Email Missouri’s governor, Mike Parson, with this link and paste in the message below!
  2. https://governor.mo.gov/contact-us

Dear Governor Parson,

I am writing to ask that you to stop the January 12, 2021 execution of Lisa Montgomery for the 2004 murder of Bobbie Jo Stinnett.

I believe that Lisa Montgomery deserves to face punishment for what she’s done. HOWEVER I do NOT support her being put to death. I am concerned that while the vast majority of states with capital punishment continue on a downward trend of executions, Missouri has continued to go against trend by carrying on an aggressive execution schedule.

I, the undersigned, ask that you do everything within your power to stop this execution, including issuing a stay, and seeking a path to clemency in the case.

Thank you for time and attention to this urgent and serious matter.

Sincerely,
[Your name]

  1. Call
  1. (573) 751-3222- Governor’s office of Missouri MIke Parson

  1. Share
  1. Post #SaveLisa on social media and link the above petitions.

CORY JOHNSON (Jan 14) Cory Johnson: Virginia man to be executed on Jan 14 for 10 murders, lawyers say he has 'intellectual disability'

In 1993, Cory Johnson along with two other people were sentenced to death for the killing of 10 people. A jury in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia found Johnson guilty of numerous federal offenses, including seven counts of capital murder. Johnson’s convictions and sentences were affirmed on appeal more than 24 years ago, and his initial round of collateral challenges failed 15 years ago. Johnson was just 18 when he was sentenced to death.

 

  1. Sign
  1. President Trump: Please Stop the Federal Executions
  2. Petition · Remove Cory Johnson from Death Row and Prevent His Scheduled Execution

  1. Write
  1. Email Virginia’s governor, Ralph Northam, with this link and paste in the message below!

Dear Governor Northam,

I am writing to ask that you to stop the January 15, 2021 execution of Corey Johnson for the 1993 murder of 10 citizens.

I believe that Cory Johnson deserves to face punishment for what he’s done. HOWEVER I do NOT support him being put to death. Johnson has shown to suffer from intellectual disability, and he deserves the right for a jury to hear so. It is unconstitutional to sentence someone who’s intellectually disabled, & if Johnson’s death is continued, that law will be broken. We are concerned that while the vast majority of states with capital punishment continue on a downward trend of executions, Virginia has continued to go against trend by carrying on an aggressive execution schedule.

We, the undersigned, ask that you do everything within your power to stop this execution, including issuing a stay, and seeking a path to clemency in the case.


Thank you for time and attention to this urgent and serious matter.

Sincerely,
[Your name]

  1. Call
  1. Governor Ralph Northam office-804-786-2211

DUSTIN HIGGS (Jan 15)

In 1996, Dustin Higgs allegedly kidnapped and murdered three women. A jury in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland found Higgs guilty of numerous federal offenses, including three counts of first-degree premeditated murder, three counts of first-degree felony murder, and three counts of kidnapping resulting in death. Higgs’ convictions and sentences were affirmed on appeal nearly 17 years ago, and his initial round of collateral challenges failed nearly eight years ago.

  1. Sign
  1. Save Dustin Higgs
  2. Petition · Wrongly convicted, SaveDustinjHiggs​.​com help me change the narrative.
  3. Save Dustin Higgs (change.org)

  1. Write
  1. Letter to Dustin Higgs
  1. Address:
            Dustin Higgs #31133-037
            Special Confinement Unit
            PO Box 33
            Terre Haute IN 47808

  1. Call
  1. Contact the Department of Justice & leave a message for the Attorney General
  1. Dial 202 353 1555 - choose option 9 to leave a voicemail.
  1. Contact the White House and ask Donald Trump to spare Dustin’s life
  1. Dial 202 456 1414 - you will be connected to a real person

SCRIPT

“Hello, my name is [your name] and I am calling regarding Dustin John Higgs. He is an inmate on federal death row. I am asking that you spare Dustin’s life. His case is riddled with junk science and a signed affidavit from the man who committed the crime saying that Dustin is not guilty of the crime that has put him on death row. Dustin did not kill anyone. Please do not allow a man with no blood on his hands to be killed. Thank you.”

BLAINE MILAM (Jan 21)

On Thursday, January 21, 2021 Milam will be put to death, for the December 2008 sexual assault and beating death of 13-month-old Amora Carson. Jessica Bain Carson, Amora’s mother, was charged with murder and sentenced to life in prison, but procecuters did not seek the death penalty. They were said to have been performing an exorcism on the child. Both were only 18 years old when the crime occured.

  1. Sign
  1. Stop the Execution of Blaine Milam

  1. Write
  1. Email bpp_clemency@tdcj.texas.gov & https://gov.texas.gov/contact/
            → Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles & Governor Greg Abbott

Dear [Recipient],

We are writing to ask that you to stop the January 21, 2021 execution of Blaine Milam for the 2008 murder of Amora Carson.

We are concerned that while the vast majority of states with capital punishment continue on a downward trend of executions, Texas has continued to go against trend by carrying on an aggressive execution schedule.

We, the undersigned, ask that you do everything within your power to stop this execution, including issuing a stay, and seeking a path to clemency in the case.

Thank you for time and attention to this urgent and serious matter.

Sincerely,
[Your name]

  1. Call
  1. Office of the Texas Governor | Greg Abbott - (512) 463-1782

OSCAR FRANKLIN SMITH (Feb 4)Oscar Smith

Oscar Franklin Smith was found guilty of premeditated murder in the first degree. Smith killed his estranged wife and her two sons from a previous marriage who were 16 and 13 years old. This horrific crime occured around 11:20 pm on Sunday October 1, 1989. Smith’s estranged wife had received custody of the twins that the two had together and Smith had visitation every other weekend.

  1. Sign
  1. Stop the Execution of Oscar Franklin Smith

  1. Write
  1. Email bill.lee@tn.gov - Governor of Tennessee

Dear Governor Bill Lee,

I am writing to ask that you stop the February 4, 2021 execution of Oscar Smith, who was convicted for the 1989 shooting and stabbing to death of his estranged wife, Judy Smith, and her sons, Jason and Chad Burnett.

I ask that you do everything within your power to stop this execution, including issuing a stay, and seeking a path to clemency in the case. I also add my voice to those of the prisoners on death row and urge you to respond to their request that you visit and pray with them.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

  1. Call
  1. Office of the Tennessee Governor | Bill Lee - (615) 741 2001

EDWARD BUSBY (Feb 10)

In January 2004, in Tarrant County, Edward Busby and Kathleen “Kitty” Latimer robbed and kidnapped a female victim, placing tape over her nose and mouth, causing her death. Busby and Latimer split up, and Busby took Laura’s car and drove to Oklahoma, where he disposed of the body. He was quickly arrested by police in Oklahoma. He also eventually confessed to the kidnapping and murder. Latimer pled guilty and was sentenced to life in prison. Busby was sentenced to death.

  1. Sign
  1. Stop the Execution of Edward Busby

  1. Write
  1. Email bpp_clemency@tdcj.texas.gov & https://gov.texas.gov/contact/
            → Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles & Governor Greg Abbott

Dear [Recipient],

I am writing to ask that you to stop the upcoming execution of Edward Busby for the 2004 murder of Laura Lee Crane.

I am concerned that while the vast majority of states with capital punishment continue on a downward trend of executions, Texas has continued to go against trend by carrying on an aggressive execution schedule.

I, the undersigned, ask that you do everything within your power to stop this execution, including issuing a stay, and seeking a path to clemency in the case.

Thank you for your time and attention to this very serious matter.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

  1. Call
  1. Office of the Texas Governor | Greg Abbott - (512) 463-1782

PERVIS PAYNE (Feb 11)

In June 1987, Pervis Pane discovered that his girlfriend’s neighbor had been brutally attacked. In a panic, he tried to help but upon the police’s arrival, he was mistaken for the attacker. Payne was arrested and following February, he was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. He has maintained innocence for more than 30 years, yet despite having no prior criminal record and living with an intellectual disability, he is scheduled to be executed in Tennessee on April 8, 2021.

  1. Sign
  1. Save Pervis Payne (Innocence Project)
  2. Save Pervis Payne (change.org)

  1. Write
  1. Email bill.lee@tn.gov - Governor of Tennessee


Dear Governor Bill Lee,

Pervis Payne has maintained his innocence for more than 30 years. Yet, despite having no prior criminal record and living with an intellectual disability, he had an execution date of Dec. 2, 2020 in Tennessee and was given a temporary reprieve until April 9, 2021.

On Sept. 16, the Shelby County Criminal Court ordered DNA testing of crime scene evidence that has never been tested in Pervis Payne’s case after attorneys for Mr. Payne filed a request for DNA testing of newly discovered evidence that could help prove his innocence.

Even without this newfound evidence, Pervis Payne does not deserve to be murdered by the state. State-sanctioned murder is still murder. I, the undersigned, ask that you do everything within your power to stop this execution, including issuing a stay, and seeking a path to clemency in the case.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

  1. Text TEAMPAYNE to 52886

  1. Call
  1. Office of the Tennessee Governor | Bill Lee - (615) 741 2001

Julius Jones (To be scheduled)

Julius Jones was a 19-year-old student at the University of Oklahoma when he was considered as the prime suspect in the killing of 45-year-old businessman Paul Howell. In 2002, he was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death at just 22 years old. The death row inmate has spent nearly two decades serving time behind bars, despite maintaining his innocence and having compelling evidence that he was wrongfully convicted.

  1. Sign
  1. Julius Jones is innocent. Don't let him be executed by the state of Oklahoma.
  2. Justice for Julius Jones

  1. Write
  1. Complete THIS FORM to send an e-letter to the Pardon & Parole Board.

  1. Call
  1. Call Governor Kevin Stitt and urge him to grant Julius clemency:
  1. Dial 405 521 2342

SCRIPT

“Hello, my name is [your name] and I am calling regarding Julius Jones. He has been an inmate on death row for nearly 20 years for a crime he did not commit. I am deeply concerned that the state could take the life of an innocent man. I am urging you to grant Julius clemency and allow him the freedom that he deserves. Thank you.

  1. Share
  1. Use the #justiceforjulius Toolkit and be sure to tag @justiceforjulius in your post