July 10, 2020

Anti-death penalty rally and day-of-execution vigil plans are underway

The Terre Haute Death Penalty Resistance (THDPR) group is hosting a general rally against the death penalty is scheduled at the intersection of W. Springhill Dr. and US 41 in Terre Haute on July 13 at 3 p.m.

During the peaceful protest, participants will hold signs and use their voices calling for an end to the death penalty. 

All are then invited to participate in a short program at the same location at 3:45 p.m. It will end at 4 p.m. with the tolling of a bell to mark the time the execution is expected to commence. Those gathered will then shift to a silent, prayerful presence until an organizer hears that the execution has been completed. 

Parking is available at the shopping mall adjacent to the gathering location. Participants are asked to wear a mask. It is recommended to wear comfortable clothing and shoes, bring water, and to consider wearing a hat and sunscreen or to bring an umbrella, depending upon the weather. 

Plans are subject to change based on a possible temporary or permanent stay of execution, a change in execution time, road blocks or other variables. 

On their Facebook page, THDPR also states that, due to the coronavirus, “we are encouraging abolitionists to create smaller, local protests.” 

For the most current information on the July 13 rally and prayer vigil and for similar plans for the execution currently set for July 17, go to www.facebook.com/terrehautedpr.

Those wishing to sign petitions to the U.S. Congress and to President Donald J. Trump opposing the death penalty can go to deathpenaltyaction.org/federal-death-penalty, which also offers information for holding local prayer vigils. †

 

Related: Bells toll, sharing the piercing news of the first federal execution in 17 years

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