Advocacy Campaigns

Abolition for Arizona

Three executions were carried out in 2022 in Arizona, marking the end of an eight-year hiatus subsequent to the highly problematic execution of Mr. Joseph Wood in 2014, which transpired for a distressing duration of more than two hours. Arizona's justice system is riddled with fundamental flaws and exhibits a propensity for punitive measures and displays a prioritization of private prison expansion over the pursuit of rehabilitation and the solutions to address many of the underlying systemic issues contributing to criminal behavior.

Protect Vulnerable Populations from Executions

It’s time to support safeguard legislation in Arizona that exempts those with extreme mental health conditions from capital punishment. In Arizona, over one million adults have a mental health condition but over 2.8 million live in a community that does not have enough mental health professionals. People with mental illness are overrepresented in our nation's criminal justice system. Tragically, this has resulted in people with serious mental illness making up a significant number of those who are sentenced to death or executed.

Advocate for BOEC Diversity

The Arizona Board of Executive Clemency (BOEC) serves a crucial role in the justice system by providing recommendations to the governor regarding the granting of reprieve from the death penalty or execution when the Attorney General obtains a warrant of execution. We believe it is crucial for Arizonans to have diverse and inclusive representation beyond law enforcement on the Board of Executive Clemency, as these decisions have a profound impact on the lives of those incarcerated. Decisions that impact communities should be made by those community members, not law enforcement.

Repeal AEDPA

Also known as the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, AEDPA creates strict limitations on Habeas Corpus petitions.  Habeas Corpus petitions are filings used to help unlawful detention or illegal imprisonment. This act added more procedural barriers, limited federal court review, and increases the risk of injustice. It’s time to let President Biden know he can make a difference and act on correcting the injustice AEDPA has created. Read more on why you should encourage your member of Congress to support AEDPA repeal and reform.