Tennessee's March4Mercy

20190811_073655

32 Prisoners on Tennessee's death row have sent a letter to Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, inviting him to come to death row to pray with them. In August, 2019, the March4Mercy carried the prisoners' invitation to officials at the state capitol (watch video here). To-date, no response has been received from Governor Lee.

The March4Mercy is not case-specific and will continue in various forms as long as executions are scheduled in Tennessee, with an action event focus scheduled as appropriate prior to any scheduled execution.

Executions in Tennessee have recently been stayed due to the pandemic, however that hesitance appears to be over. Execution dates are now set for Oscar Smith (on April 21, 2022) and for Harold Nichols (on June 9, 2022). Also scheduled with petitions forthcoming: August 18, 2022: Byron Black, October 6, 2022: Gary Sutton, and December 8, 2022: Donald Middlebrooks.

MARCH AND VIGIL INFO

MARCHES: The March4Mercy will take place on the Sunday prior to each scheduled executions. Starting times will vary based on weather and other considerations. (In hotter months we start early.) Information to be posted here for upcoming marches.

EXECUTION VIGILS: Execution vigils at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution will start at 6pm on execution days. Executions are normally scheduled at 7pm Central time. Please allow time to park and process through security managed by Tennessee authorities. (Expect to show an ID and be scanned/frisked for weapons on your body. Cars are not typically searched, but could be. You will be on prison property.)

To receive e-mailed updates on plans as they develop, please sign up here. Additionally, text March4Mercy to 33777 to join the March4Mercy text update list.

TN-postcard

Get the Postcards

The March4Mercy will update the action postcard after each execution until further notice. Individuals and communities of faith and other groups are urged to order a set, add your own encouragement and to personally sign and mail the postcards to Governor Lee in the postal mail. Click here to order 10, 25, 50 or more FREE of charge for your community to sign and send!

Support the March4Mercy

Your financial support is encouraged. Please contribute generously to help cover the costs of planning, organizing and implementing this ongoing action. Online donations (including PayPal) can be made here. You may also send checks or money orders by mail to our administrative facility: Make checks payable to "Death Penalty Action" with "March4Mercy" in the memo line and mail to PO Box 89, Ghent, NY 12075.

Endorsing Organizations & Individuals

We'll have a free March4Mercy or Stop Executions t-shirt for all who join us for the march, and for anyone who helps by sponsoring this event. Make your sponsoring donation today and we'll have it in the mail by Saturday (4/16/22 - we won't have them in-hand until Friday).

(Individuals listed alphabetically by last name. Add your name by sending an e-mail to info@DeathPenaltyAction.org)

Rev. Anna Faith Adair
Rev. Jeannie Alexander
Bruce Allen
Kathy Boylan of Dorothy Day Catholic Worker
Rev. Keith Caldwell, President Nashville NAACP
Joe Carson
Shane Claiborne of Red Letter Christians
Maggie Cox
Death Penalty Action
Naomi Drake
Steve Earle
Miriam Welly Elliott
Franklin Community Church
Franklin Community Development
Gainesville (FL) Citizens for Alternatives to the Death Penalty
Margaret Garlan
Helene Gattie
Rev. Anna Golladay
Brian Gray
Harriet Tubman House
Rev. Napoleon Harris
Robyn Henderson-Espinoza, PhD
Kasey Johnson, DO, MA
Cheryl Jones
Journey of Hope...from Violence to Healing

Stefanie Joyce
Rev. Dr Joseph Ingle
L'Chaim: Jews Against the Death Penalty
Art Laffin
Geoff Little
Bethany Mann
Dan Mann
Rev. Susan Hudson McBride
Michael McRay
No Exceptions Prison Collective
Marian Ott
Craig E. Philip
Jenny Pigge
Red Letter Christians
Rev. David Reppert
Rev. Dr. Kevin Riggs
Anna Senft
Sam Reese Sheppard
Vote Common Good
Tim Webb
Ann Williams
Wes Yoder
Wm Paul Young

Text March4Mercy to 33777 to join the March4Mercy text update list!


This is a Tennessee-based initiative. Logistics and organizing support for the March4Mercy is provided by Death Penalty Action.