Last night, just after 8 pm, we the people of the State of Florida, executed Eddie James. The execution was delayed after a sudden schedule change was announced without explanation the night before the execution. I’m so proud of the way our allies came together to rearrange travel plans and vigil times, so that our presence would be felt, and Eddie would not die alone. Please read and share our press statement here.
We had close to 100 people at the vigil at FSP last night. FADP, and our friends from Our Lady of Lourdes in Daytona, were honored to be joined by members of Mission Talk, led by FADP Board Member Agustin Quiles. He brought a bus load of Latino evangelical pastors to experience their first execution vigil. We also were fortunate that Abe Bonowitz, and members of Death Penalty Action made time to stop in Florida this week after attending the Louisiana execution on March 18.
Watching people from all walks of life and all faiths come together and pray for love, peace, and forgiveness under a beautiful sunset was incredibly moving to witness. It offered us all a bit of solace as the state-sanctioned premeditated murder was occurring behind the prison walls.
We also learned from Eddie’s lawyer that she will honor his wishes for his ashes to be spread at a beautiful sunset. As you can see from the pictures below, I know that it was no accident that we were treated to such a spectacularly painted sky for Eddie’s last sunset on this Earth.
Today, we pause and reflect and remember Eddie, his family, and his victims. But sadly, we cannot rest for long.
Florida is already preparing for its next execution – Michael Tanzi is set to be executed on Tuesday, April 8 at 6 pm. Just after Michael’s warrant was signed, we received an email from one of his long-time pen pals. She shared with us that in the last letter she received from Michael before his warrant was signed, he mentioned Eddie’s execution date and said, “the guy I spoke to wasn’t the one depicted in the news cycle. So that proves that change is inevitable, especially with God as your light.”
These are the people the State of Florida is killing. They care about each other. They look for and try to cultivate the good in each other. They build community, and for some of them, it is the first time in their lives they have experienced support, kindness, and friendship. I will never stop telling this truth, and never stop challenging the false narrative that these people are reduced to the singular act of violence that landed them there.
Sign Michael’s petition now. Stay with us for more actions. The Florida killing machine is on full power right now. But so are we.
Onward,
Maria DeLiberato
FADP Executive Director
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