From: FADP Media <media@fadp.org> Date: February 13, 2025 at 6:28:36 PM EST Subject:Statement on the Execution of James Ford
PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 13, 2025 Contact: Maria DeLiberato (717) 503-2730 (text message or email only) maria@fadp.org
Statement on the Execution of James Ford
Tonight, we the people of the State of Florida, killed 64 year old James Ford. We killed a man who had the emotional and intellectual capacity of a teenager. We killed the father of three daughters, whom he loved and who loved him back. We killed a man who was no longer a danger to anyone, who could have and should have lived out his remaining days in prison.
When the Governor signed James’ warrant last month and the guards came to pull him from his cell to take him to death watch, James was doing his weekly bible study with his death row neighbors. With tears in his eyes as he was hauled away, he thanked one of his neighbors for teaching him so much of the Lord’s word over the years.
The State wants you to believe that everyone on death row is a monster. That they are subhuman, or less than, or somehow “other.” It’s simply not true. We ripped a man away from his bible study and led him to his death.
These are the people we are killing. James is more than the worst thing he has ever done. We grieve for James’ victims, and we acknowledge and grieve that his crimes left another child parentless. We grieve for his daughters, who are now also without their father. But this case could have ended 30 years ago with a life sentence, and the healing for the victims could have started then.
There is so much misinformation and fear-mongering in the State of Florida right now. Today, as the State prepared to kill James, our legislature hurriedly passed, and the Governor signed, sweeping anti-immigrant legislation. This legislation included an “automatic” and “mandatory” death penalty for immigrants who are convicted of capital crimes. No jury, no individualized sentence, just automatic death. This is of course blatantly unconstitutional, a fact which our lawmakers knew and boasted about. When the respect for the rule of law is lost, we are all in grave danger.
The death penalty debases us all. The hatred debases us all. We have to do better.
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FADP is a Florida-based, state-wide organization of individuals and groups working together to end the death penalty in Florida. Our network includes dozens of state and local groups and thousands of individual Floridians, including murder victims’ family members and other survivors of violent crime, law enforcement professionals, families of the incarcerated, and death row exonerees.
Dear Rev. Kim, In one week from today, the State of Florida is set to conduct its 107th state-sanctioned murder and execute James “Jimbo” Ford. As we count down to the scheduled execution day, we and our collaborators from across the world are planning several opportunities for you to advocate on behalf of sparing James’ life and against the barbaric practice of execution. See updates and opportunities below! Florida Supreme Court Denies Stay of ExecutionThis week, the Florida Supreme Court issued an order denying James’ request for a stay of execution. Let the Governor Know What You ThinkGovernor DeSantis is the single executive official who can stop this execution. That’s why we need you to send a message to him today urging him to stay this execution. Click here to send a message.Faith Leaders: Use Your VoicesIf you are a faith leader in Florida, you have a line to the governor’s office through his Faith and Community Initiative. You can voice your opposition to the upcoming execution of James Ford by calling the program office at 850-717-9494. Conservatives Speak Out Against Florida’s Death PenaltyDemetrius Minor, National Manager of Conservatives Concerned and a member of Governor DeSantis’ Faith and Community Initiative, has written to the governor urging clemency for James Ford. In his letter, Minor emphasizes that true justice is not found in executions but in accountability that prioritizes fairness and redemption. He calls on the governor to lead with justice and compassion by halting this execution.Attend a Planned Vigil for James FordThis week, Tampa’s abolitionist community gathered to protest the upcoming execution of James Ford. If his execution proceeds next Thursday, advocates across the state are preparing to hold vigils and protests. Join them in person or virtually to recognize James’ humanity. Find information on our website.Sign and Share Our PetitionOn Thursday, we will be sending your signatures to Governor DeSantis, the Florida Board of Executive Clemency, and other administrative officials. Please continue to sign and share our petition and make your voices heard. Help us reach 4,000 signatures. Every signature, every voice, will be seen and heard, reinforcing our collective call for justice.Thank You for Taking ActionFinally, we would like to thank leading organizations and communities, including Catholic Mobilizing Network, Conservatives Concerned, Death Penalty Focus, Death Penalty Action, members of Allendale United Methodist Church, the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, and many others that have been relentless in their advocacy for life and against dehumanization—and we would like to thank many of you for taking action with us!
Dear Rev. Kim, In one week from today, the State of Florida is set to conduct its 107th state-sanctioned murder and execute James “Jimbo” Ford. As we count down to the scheduled execution day, we and our collaborators from across the world are planning several opportunities for you to advocate on behalf of sparing James’ life and against the barbaric practice of execution. See updates and opportunities below! Florida Supreme Court Denies Stay of ExecutionThis week, the Florida Supreme Court issued an order denying James’ request for a stay of execution. Let the Governor Know What You ThinkGovernor DeSantis is the single executive official who can stop this execution. That’s why we need you to send a message to him today urging him to stay this execution. Click here to send a message.Faith Leaders: Use Your VoicesIf you are a faith leader in Florida, you have a line to the governor’s office through his Faith and Community Initiative. You can voice your opposition to the upcoming execution of James Ford by calling the program office at 850-717-9494. Conservatives Speak Out Against Florida’s Death PenaltyDemetrius Minor, National Manager of Conservatives Concerned and a member of Governor DeSantis’ Faith and Community Initiative, has written to the governor urging clemency for James Ford. In his letter, Minor emphasizes that true justice is not found in executions but in accountability that prioritizes fairness and redemption. He calls on the governor to lead with justice and compassion by halting this execution.Attend a Planned Vigil for James FordThis week, Tampa’s abolitionist community gathered to protest the upcoming execution of James Ford. If his execution proceeds next Thursday, advocates across the state are preparing to hold vigils and protests. Join them in person or virtually to recognize James’ humanity. Find information on our website.
Sign and Share Our PetitionOn Thursday, we will be sending your signatures to Governor DeSantis, the Florida Board of Executive Clemency, and other administrative officials. Please continue to sign and share our petition and make your voices heard. Help us reach 4,000 signatures. Every signature, every voice, will be seen and heard, reinforcing our collective call for justice.Thank You for Taking ActionFinally, we would like to thank leading organizations and communities, including Catholic Mobilizing Network, Conservatives Concerned, Death Penalty Focus, Death Penalty Action, members of Allendale United Methodist Church, the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, and many others that have been relentless in their advocacy for life and against dehumanization—and we would like to thank many of you for taking action with us!
Lakewood United Church of Christ 