More than 200 Jewish and non-Jewish organizations have asked Governor Crist to stay the execution and allow him 60 days to present a well-supported appeal to the Florida Clemency Board. This is such an important cause that is has brought together left-leaning and right-leaning organizations: ACLU, Amnesty, and the American Bar Association together with Agudath Israel, the Orthodox Union and Chabad.
Florida's (in)justice system should be harshly condemned for its high rate of executions. If Florida authorities kill Grossman, he will be the 69th human being executed since the death penalty was reinstated in Florida in 1979. It is high time that Americans demand an end to this atrocious practice committed under the pretext of lawful proceedings. Perhaps this gross miscarriage of justice will awaken the above-mentioned right-leaning organizations to look beyond this particular case and join the struggle to impose a national moratorium on the death penalty.
Addendum:
Several media articles on this case highlight the "closure" arguments -- relatives of Margaret Park, the victim, have said that his execution will bring them "closure." This seems to be the justification for Grossman's execution. It may seem unfair to be judgmental of people grieving for a close relative killed during the prime of her life, but what kind of "closure" does the killing of another human being bring? How does the murder of defenseless person -- an inmate who has repented, expressed profound remorse, and does not pose a threat because he is locked up for life -- remedy the murder of Margaret Park? Read this excellent Washington Post article about executions and the closure myth.
- Call Governor Crist at 850-488-5603 (His assistant Kristen is answering this phone and passing messages to the governor).
