Weekly Report from the Board Meeting at Holman Prison 2.15.23

The very good news is that Rep. Chris England has prefiled House Bill 14 which requires a unanimous jury vote at the sentencing phase and provides an avenue for resentencing at certain phases. At this point we are the only state that does not require a unanimous vote to impose the death penalty. The bill would be retroactive. To quote Re. Chris England: “My aspirational goal is to get rid of the death penalty, but that is very unlikely at the moment. We need to make it as hard as possible for us to put someone to death. We’re talking about life here and talking about the state of Alabama executing someone on its citizens’ behalf.”

We believe in being pro-active and so we decided it was time to write a letter to the Alabama Medical Board as well as to the National Medical Board to point out what appears to be a contradiction of the Hippocratic Oath by its members. How can medical staff swear “to do no harm” and then participate at executions? We understand that one can rationalize oneself out of all statements, “All Life Is Sacred” being a great Alabama example, but that does not mean that we should be silent. We also sent a letter to Physicians for Human Rights, a national organization, which states: We believe that medical ethics are deeply bound to the protection of human rights.”

We are honored, grateful and delighted that Rev. Lynn Hopkins, a long time friend and active abolitionist, has joined our Advisory Board. For those of you who follow us Rev. Lynn Hopkins needs no introduction. Yes, she was one of the Alabama Faith Leaders who last week presented the letter, just as she was also was with us when we presented the Pull Back the Curtain petitions to Governor Ivey’s office. And yes, Rev. Lynn Hopkins visits at Holman. We are very fortunate!

On THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 AT 6:00 PM CT at the Sanctuary, 432 S. Goldthwaite St in Montgomery there will be a documentary “Rocky Myers: A Documentary from Alabama's Death Row”. Robin “Rocky” Myers is a 62 intellectually disabled black man who was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death in 1993 for a crime he did not commit.

.In closing and as always, we continue to 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. You encourage us and make all the difference. Stay safe!

                                                            Esther