Weekly Report from the Board Meeting at Holman Prison 1.29.25
Governor Ivey has set February 6th as the execution date for Demetrius T. Frazier. The Talking Points for letters and emails to the Governor are at https://www.phadp.org/execution-alert-3/. And from our friends at Death Penalty Action: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/stop-the-execution-of-demetrius-frazier-in-alabama. We will be delivering the petitions after a rally on the steps of the Capitol at noon February 4th and invite all to join us.
Frazier’s attorneys have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block the execution unless the state revises its protocol, arguing that nitrogen hypoxia causes undue suffering. It is a documented fact that Kenneth Smith and Alan Miller were both fully conscious for several minutes as the nitrogen gas suffocated them. Carey Grayson was fully conscious for at least six minutes as the nitrogen gas suffocated him. This method of execution is the conscious suffocation of human beings, and it is abhorrent and absolutely torture. It amounts to cruel and unusual punishment which is barred by the U.S. Constitution. Demetrius was in court at a hearing yesterday.
Please join me in signing a petition to Governor Whitmer: Bring back #DemetriusFrazier before he is executed in Alabama with gas suffocation on Feb. 6. Michigan has always opposed the death penalty. Learn more and take action at bit.ly/ReturnDemetrius #StopExecutions @PHADP
Beth Shelburne in an article entitled “A Song for Toforest Johnson” brought to our attention that earlier this month Susie, a Birmingham singer and songwriter released in a new single a song that she had written “Mercy for Toforest” as a call to action and a call out to state leaders who have met the mountain of evidence demonstrating Toforest’s innocence with astonishing indifference.
We thank all who are working so hard and diligently to stop all killing in Alabama! And as always in closing, we thank all our generous donors who either gave by going to our website and using the “donate” button or who gave directly. Thank you also to all who took the time to read our notes, commented, liked and shared them on Facebook. Stay safe and be kind to each other!
Esther