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New opportunity to oppose James D. Ford’s execution

New opportunity to oppose James D. Ford’s execution and to meet FADP Executive Director Maria DeLiberato

Friends,

On Tuesday, February 4, the week before the scheduled execution of James D. Ford, we will gather to urge people to contact Governor DeSantis to stay the execution.  We will gather at our usual site at the northwest corner of Ulmerton Road and 49th Street North in mid-Pinellas County from 5:00-6:00 PM.

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FADP Executive Director Maria DeLiberato will join us at the demonstration and afterwards for dinner.  When we gather during executions, she is at the Florida State Prison, and she wants to meet the local death penalty abolitionist activist community.

We will have special signs for our demonstration, but feel free to make your own.  We will also hold our Thursday, February 13 vigil. Details on that are below.

February 4 is the birthday of Rosa Parks, most famous for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white man. Before that, she spent the previous decade courageously supporting Black female victims of white sexual violence. Honor her work and legacy by joining us on her birthday.

For more information: sjstew@gte.net or (727) 492-1590, and go to the Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty website for death penalty information, updates on the James Ford execution and other news.

John Stewart

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Here are ways to oppose James Ford’s execution:

• Sign the petitionurging Governor DeSantis and the Florida Board of Executive Clemency to stay the election of James Ford.

• Contact Governor Ron DeSantis at (850) 488-7146 or by email. Prepare for your call or email with Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP)’s excellent Florida Death Penalty Fact Sheet.

•  Join FADP, Allendale United Methodist Church, and other death penalty opponents for a Tampa Bay area vigil from 5:00-6:00 PM on Thursday, February 13 on the northwest corner of Ulmerton Road and 49th Street North in mid-Pinellas County. This is the site of previous vigils, and it is where death penalty opponents have gathered for years. It is at the intersection of two main roads and is near the court and jail complex.  Park in the vacant lot behind Checkers.  We will provide signs, or you can bring your own. If the execution is stayed, the vigil will be cancelled. For more information: sjstew@gte.net or (727) 492-1590.

• Please include this information in emails, on Facebook, in newsletters and church bulletins, etc. A summary of the information for copying and pasting is at the end of this email.

Check the FADP website for information and updates.  We will send email updates as the execution approaches. 

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SUMMARY OF INFORMATION:

Oppose the execution of James Ford on Thursday, February 13 by contacting Governor Ron DeSantisat (850) 488-7146 or by email at flgov.com/eog/contact. For more information and a petition, go to the Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty website (fadp.org). Join FADP and other death penalty opponents at a vigil from 5:00-6:00 PM on Thursday, February 13 on the northwest corner of Ulmerton Road and 49th Street North in mid-Pinellas County. FADP will provide signs. If the execution is stayed, the vigil will be cancelled. For more information: sjstew@gte.net or (727) 492-1590.

One City Chorus: The Music of the Beatles

One City Chorus presents Imagine: the Music of The Beatles

Sunday, February 16 at 4:00 PMThe Palladium Theater253 Fifth Avenue North, 

St. PetersburgTickets: $20 in advance, $25 at the door   

https://palatspc.na.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/18156St. Petersburg’s famed community chorus, One City Chorus, will present their annual concert at The Palladium Theater on February 16th at 4 PM.  Known for singing songs with universal themes of social justice, peace, and equality, the 90-voice chorus will present a full-length program featuring songs like “Revolution”, “Gimme Some Truth”, “Give Peace a Chance”, Blackbird” and “Imagine” – as well as two classical pieces written by Paul McCartney after the breakup of The Beatles. The audience will also be invited to join in the fun, singing a couple of medleys with the chorus.The popular chorus was started in 2016 by conductor Jon Arterton and his husband, the chorus’ administrator James Mack. It began with the belief that singing in a group builds community and leads to better understanding among people – that in the process of singing together, people form friendships with people of differing races, cultures and creeds that they might not otherwise come to know, and that these friendships change the world.  Their performances have been described as “joyous, uplifting and beautifully sung” by Creative Loafing. Their audiences agree – their concerts are marked by standing ovations!              www.OneCityChorus.org A Change is Gonna Come. This season will be the last for the chorus’ co-founders, Jon Arterton and James Mack. They will be moving to western North Carolina in early May.  They will be greatly missed. The chorus will soon be announcing new leadership to carry the group forward into the future.