People

“A deep belief in the sacredness of every human life; our enduring capacity for conversion; and the urgency of creating a nonviolent world are at the heart of my opposition to the death penalty. Our society urgently needs reconciliation and healing, justice that is restorative, and a recognition of the structural violence and systemic injustice…

“Homeboy Industries stands against the death penalty and always for the principle that every human being is a whole lot more than the worst thing they’ve ever done.”

“Our nation was founded not on fear and retribution. It was born from higher things: freedom, justice, human dignity, and equal rights before the law. And so we must ask ourselves: Are these principles compatible with the “civil” taking of human life? Are these principles compatible with the very real risk of erroneously taking the…

“Violence is the disease, not the cure. Killing is the problem, not the solution. We do not rape people who rape, nor should we kill those who kill. When we execute, we legitimate the very violence we are trying to rid the world of. As a Christian, I believe in grace. I believe Jesus came…

“We signed the pledge against the death penalty because executions are an attack on the dignity of human persons, they risk the killing of innocent persons, and they discredit our claim of being a civilized and humane society. Pope Francis and the U.S. bishops have called for abolition of the death penalty and we stand…