The air in Florida is heavy with an undeniable somberness, a palpable weight of injustice that descends with each signed death warrant. As Communications Director for Sustainable Action Now, I bear witness daily to the outpouring of grief, anger, and desperation from our community. Emails flood our inboxes, social media feeds buzz with anguish, all echoing a singular, heart-wrenching question: How can this continue?

Next week, on Thursday, July 31, 2025, the state intends to execute Air Force Veteran Edward ‘Zak’ Zakrzewski. This news alone is a profound shock to the system, a stark reminder of the state’s capacity for irreversible action. Yet, the tragedy deepens. Just last Friday, Governor DeSantis affixed his signature to another death warrant, this time for Kayle Bates, scheduled for execution on August 19, 2025. These are not isolated incidents; they are chilling chapters in a broader narrative of state-sanctioned violence.

We understand your heartbreak. We share your anger. The feeling of helplessness in the face of such overwhelming power is a heavy burden, and we want you to know: you are not alone in carrying it. We feel it too, deeply and acutely.

Governor DeSantis has now signed a staggering ten death warrants this year. Ten individuals. Ten lives premeditatedly extinguished by a system that is inherently unjust, woefully outdated, and, most disturbingly, increasingly weaponized for political gain. Our governor is not merely exercising judicial power; he is leveraging state violence to score political points, and the cost is immeasurable: real people are dying. These are individuals with families, with stories, who are undeniably more than the single worst act they may have committed. The sheer volume of these actions is difficult to process, and it should be. It is even harder to maintain the fight, day after day, against such a profound lack of mercy and humanity from those who hold the reins of power.

Some of you have voiced a disheartening truth: petitions and protests can feel futile. The perception that the governor is not listening, that he simply doesn’t care, is a sentiment we acknowledge. You are not wrong in feeling this way. However, it is crucial to understand that Governor DeSantis is not our sole audience. And he will not be Florida’s governor forever. This fight was never solely about shifting his individual perspective. This movement transcends merely persuading one person. It is about systematically building pressure, tirelessly working to save lives wherever and whenever we can, and unequivocally demonstrating that we will not be silenced. We will not look away. Our collective mission is to make it utterly impossible for this horrific violence to persist unnoticed, in the suffocating shroud of silence.

The silence from the governor, indeed, is deafening. He is not proudly showcasing this grim tally of executions. Instead, he wields his power with a pen, signing warrants in the quiet of his office, rather than through public discourse. This makes our voices, our words, and our vocal opposition even more critical.

This struggle extends far beyond merely signing a petition, ringing a bell at a vigil, or lighting a candle. It is about igniting a powerful ripple effect of awareness and action within your own community. It’s about amplifying unheard stories, challenging false narratives, and building an irrefutable wave of pressure that, eventually, cannot be ignored – whether by Governor DeSantis or by Florida’s next governor. For a deeper understanding of the complexities and injustices surrounding this issue, we encourage you to visit https://sustainableactionnow.org/death-penalty/.

Even now, amidst what feels like overwhelming odds, we are not powerless. Every single voice raised in protest matters. Every action taken, no matter how small it may seem, contributes to the larger movement. We have witnessed the impact of our collective efforts. We have successfully shifted the hearts and minds of legislators who were considering harmful legislation. We have drawn much-needed national attention to cases that would otherwise have been overlooked. And, perhaps most profoundly, we have provided crucial support to the families of those facing execution, enabling them to travel to Florida and spend invaluable, meaningful time with their loved ones in their final days.

Sustainable Action Now is a small team – just two dedicated full-time staff and a passionate consultant. Yet, our strength is not measured in numbers alone. Our true power lies in the thousands of you who stand with us, united by the unshakeable conviction that killing people does not make our communities safer. We need each other now more than ever, to sustain this fight, to amplify our message, and to ultimately usher in a more just and humane future.

If you are feeling a sense of helplessness right now, please internalize this truth: you are not alone. You are an integral part of something larger, something profoundly significant. And one day, we will witness the abolition of Florida’s death penalty. And when that day comes, it will be because of you – your unwavering commitment, your relentless advocacy, and your refusal to accept injustice.

If you are angry, channel that righteous fury into action. If you are sad, let that sorrow be the fuel that propels you forward. But whatever you feel, do not look away. Do not surrender to apathy.

Here is what you can do right now to contribute to this vital cause:

• Sign and Share for Zak: Please sign this urgent petition imploring Governor DeSantis and the Florida Board of Executive Clemency to halt Zak’s execution. Following that, send a direct message to Governor DeSantis, making it clear that his “killing spree” must end.
• Advocate for Kayle: After taking action for Zak, please extend your advocacy by signing this petition for Kayle Bates. We will be releasing more detailed information about his case in the coming days, so stay tuned for updates.
• Contact Your Legislators: Reach out to your elected officials. Let them know unequivocally that the death penalty is not justice, and it certainly does not enhance the safety of Florida’s communities.
• Join or Organize a Vigil: Show your solidarity by attending a vigil in your community, or if none exist, consider organizing one. Our team is here to support you in this effort.
• Utilize Your Platform: Leverage your personal and professional platforms to share the stories of those on death row, those facing imminent execution, and the lives we have already lost to this unjust system. Actively push back against the false narratives that perpetuate this violence.
• Share Your Ideas: Do you have an idea for further action? Do you wish to contribute more directly? Please email us. Your creativity, passion, and engagement are what make our organization strong and effective.

Governor DeSantis may sleep peacefully at night, perhaps undisturbed by the consequences of his actions. But we do not. And we will not, under any circumstances, allow this state-sponsored violence to continue unchecked, unchallenged, and unmourned. Together, we will hold the line.

In a significant and often overlooked development, a growing chorus of conservative voices across the United States is actively questioning, and in some cases, outright opposing, the continued use of the death penalty. This evolving stance marks a notable departure from historical trends and is driven by a complex interplay of deeply held conservative principles, practical concerns, and a re-evaluation of the state’s role in capital punishment.

For decades, support for the death penalty has often been viewed as a hallmark of conservative ideology, rooted in notions of justice, retribution, and a “tough on crime” stance. However, recent trends reveal a nuanced and increasingly vocal movement from within the conservative ranks advocating for its reevaluation or even complete abolition. This pivotal shift is propelled by a combination of factors, including profound concerns about potential miscarriages of justice, the exorbitant financial burden of capital punishment, and a renewed scrutiny of governmental overreach.

Conservative Principles Meet Practical Realities

At the forefront of this movement are organizations like Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty, a project of Equal Justice USA. This group, alongside a growing number of prominent conservative figures—including politicians, legal scholars, and religious leaders—is actively highlighting what they perceive as ideological inconsistencies between core conservative principles and the practice of capital punishment.

A central tenet of conservative thought often revolves around fiscal responsibility and limited government. From this perspective, the death penalty presents a significant paradox. Many conservatives now argue that capital punishment is demonstrably more expensive than life imprisonment without parole. The intricate legal processes, prolonged appeals, specialized legal teams, and heightened security measures associated with death penalty cases create a financial burden that far exceeds the costs of housing an inmate for life. This economic inefficiency directly clashes with the conservative emphasis on prudent spending and taxpayer protection.

Furthermore, concerns about government overreach are increasingly resonating within conservative circles. The idea that the government possesses the ultimate power to take a human life, particularly in a system prone to error and bias, is prompting many to question whether such authority aligns with a philosophy of limited government. For a deeper dive into the multifaceted arguments against capital punishment, including its ethical and practical implications, we encourage you to explore https://sustainableactionnow.org/death-penalty/.

Unpacking the Core Concerns

The conservative re-evaluation of the death penalty is underpinned by several specific and compelling concerns:

1. The Irreversible Risk of Executing Innocent People: This stands as perhaps the most potent argument for many conservatives. The possibility, however remote, of executing an individual who is later proven innocent is a moral and ethical dilemma that directly contradicts the pursuit of true justice. The finality of the death penalty means that any error is irreparable, a prospect deeply troubling to those who believe in the sanctity of life and the fallibility of human institutions.
2. The High Cost of Capital Punishment: Beyond the moral arguments, the sheer financial burden of death penalty cases is a significant point of contention. The extensive appeals process, mandated by law to ensure due process, often stretches over decades, incurring massive legal fees, investigative costs, and prolonged incarceration expenses. These costs frequently dwarf those associated with a life sentence, leading many fiscal conservatives to view capital punishment as an inefficient use of taxpayer dollars.
3. Inconsistent Application of the Law: A growing concern among conservatives is the perception that the death penalty is not applied consistently or fairly across all cases. Evidence suggests potential disparities based on factors such as race, socioeconomic status, and the quality of legal representation. This inconsistency undermines the principle of equal justice under the law, a foundational tenet for many conservatives who believe in a fair and impartial legal system.
4. Questioning Deterrence: The long-held belief that the death penalty acts as a unique deterrent to violent crime is also being re-examined. Many conservatives are now questioning whether capital punishment actually achieves its intended goal of preventing future offenses. Studies on deterrence often yield inconclusive results, leading some to conclude that the death penalty’s effectiveness as a crime-prevention tool is, at best, unproven.
5. Impact on Victims’ Families: While some believe the death penalty offers closure for victims’ families, a nuanced perspective is emerging. Some conservatives acknowledge that the lengthy appeals process can prolong the suffering of victims’ families, keeping wounds open for years, if not decades. There’s a growing recognition that true justice and healing may not always be found in state-sanctioned killing, and that supporting victims’ families through other means might be more effective.

A Shifting Political and Religious Landscape

The conservative shift on the death penalty is not merely an academic discussion; it is manifesting in tangible changes within the political and religious spheres:

• Legislative Action: There has been a notable increase in the number of Republican legislators actively sponsoring bills to abolish or significantly reform the death penalty in various states. This legislative engagement signals a growing willingness within the party to address the issue.
• Party Platforms: In a significant symbolic move, some state Republican parties have begun to remove explicit support for the death penalty from their official platforms, indicating a broader internal re-evaluation of the issue.
• Religious Voices: Historically, certain evangelical Christian denominations have been strong proponents of capital punishment. However, prominent evangelical leaders are increasingly speaking out against the death penalty, with some organizations revising their official policies to acknowledge its inherent flaws and inconsistencies with their faith’s teachings on life and redemption.

Conservative Arguments in Their Own Words

The evolving conservative arguments against the death penalty are often framed in language that resonates deeply with their core philosophical tenets:

• “A broken system”: Many conservatives now characterize the death penalty as a fundamentally flawed and “broken system,” riddled with errors, injustices, and inefficiencies that undermine its legitimacy and purpose.
• “Nothing small government about it”: This powerful phrase encapsulates the argument that the state’s power to execute its citizens is the ultimate form of government overreach, directly contradicting the conservative ideal of limited government intervention in individual lives.
• Re-evaluating “Tough on Crime”: Some conservatives are beginning to argue that a rigid “tough on crime” mentality has, in some instances, led to policies that conflict with other core conservative principles, such as fiscal responsibility, individual liberty, and the pursuit of true justice. They contend that being “smart on crime” might entail moving away from capital punishment.

In conclusion, while staunch support for the death penalty undoubtedly persists among certain segments of the conservative population, an undeniable and significant movement is gaining momentum. This growing coalition of conservative voices is questioning the efficacy, fairness, and fundamental alignment of capital punishment with their core values. This evolving dialogue represents a crucial step towards a more just and humane criminal justice system, demonstrating that the pursuit of principled governance can transcend traditional political divides.