To: Governor Gavin Newsom
Gov. Newsom: Commute all death sentences in California
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I respectfully implore you to commute the sentences of every individual on death row in California without delay. The time to act is now. Thank you.
Why is this important?
As the federal administration seeks to expand the death penalty, the work to end capital punishment across the country has never been more urgent. In California, there is a very real possibility to move closer to ending the death penalty once and for all. As Governor Gavin Newsom's final term comes to an end, we need your help to urge him to commute all death sentences in California.
California has the largest death row in the Western Hemisphere with more than 550 people, which is roughly a quarter of the entire U.S. death row population. Commuting all death sentences would allow California to:
California has the largest death row in the Western Hemisphere with more than 550 people, which is roughly a quarter of the entire U.S. death row population. Commuting all death sentences would allow California to:
- Redirect taxpayer dollars from a failed system towards more effective public safety solutions, including more services for crime victims.
- Eliminate the risk of executing an innocent person. Since California reinstated the death penalty in 1977, eight people have been exonerated and released from California’s death row after years facing execution for crimes they didn't commit.
- Close a racially discriminatory chapter. More than 2 in 3 individuals sentenced to death in California are people of color.
- Pressure other states to follow, bringing us closer to ending capital punishment nationwide.
Now is the time for Governor Newsom to use his executive authority to commute California’s death row and model what bold leadership looks like in a moment when many of our rights are under attack.
When he sees thousands of people across California and the entire country demanding action, he knows this is what his constituents—current and future—want. Your signature adds to that pressure.
Sign the petition to urge Governor Newsom to stand on the right side of history.
How it will be delivered
We will deliver the petition in person.