Weekly Report from the Board Meeting at Holman Prison 1.24.24

Unless there is a stay, Kenneth Smith will be executed tomorrow by the state of Alabama. Weather permitting we will show our respect and solidarity for our brother by refraining from sports and wearing our dress whites for yard where we will observe moments of silence and prayer on Tuesday, today and tomorrow. We  gather in a circle sharing memories of Kenny and praying that somehow he may be aware of our prayers and thoughts.

Kenny is not alone and we are so grateful to his spiritual advisor, the Rev. Jeff Hood  who not only worked hard to win a stay for Kenny but who is risking his own life to be present to Kenny at the end.

 It is not too late to call Governor Ivey and ask for a stay or commutation. In fact it would be great if everyone who reads this would call. And wouldn’t you feel better if you did? PHONE 1-334-242-7100,

The petitions were delivered to the Governor yesterday. We had a very successful event and thank all, old friends and new, who came to take a stand! The day before a letter signed by 131 Faith leaders was delivered to the Governor. A petition from Sant’Egidio urging Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey to grant Smith clemency has been signed by 15,000 people, officials told reporters at a press conference in Rome yesterday!

We have sent out information on tomorrow’s vigils and they are also posted on our website www.phadp.org.  The virtual Death Penalty Action vigil is at 5:00 p.m. and you can register at deathpenalty.org or on their Facebook page.    

We thank all who contacted the Governor, signed the petition and let Alabama know that it does not kill in your name.

                                                             Be kind to each other!       

                                                                                         Esther