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 will gather in a circle sharing memories of Kenny and praying that somehow he may be comforted by our prayers and thoughts.

We are grateful to Dr. Katie Owens Murphy who this week is co-presenting with Derek Malone (the library director at UNA) at the American Society for Criminology conference in Atlanta. Their presentation is titled "Archiving for the Future: Documenting the Death Penalty in Alabama." They will be introducing criminologists to the digital archive that PHADP has helped to create and develop at UNA. Their opening slide will feature artwork by Kenny Smith, who they will honor at that presentation, as well. They hope that researchers will use the archive to center the voices and experiences of those most directly impacted by capital punishment in Alabama.

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

We have sent out information on today’s and tomorrow’s vigils and they will also be up on our website http://www.phadp.org/?q=node/561

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

Esther