Despite clear and convincing evidence that Philip Workman did not fire the bullet that killed Lt. Ronald Oliver, Workman was executed early yesterday morning. In the end, the courts rejected Workman’s challenge to Tennessee’s new execution protocols and Workman went to his death without the full facts of the case ever being given a full and fair hearing. Any argument that Tennesseans can rely on the capital punishment system to provide fair, just, and accurate outcomes died with Workman at 1:38 am yesterday morning. Not content with executing Workman, the Attorney General’s office has requested that execution dates be set for the four men whose executions were stayed during the Governor’s 90-day moratorium, E.J. Harbison, Pervis Payne, Mika’eel Abdullah Abdus-Samad, and Daryl Holton. These men could face execution in as little as a week. But now, even as we mourn, this is the time to rededicate ourselves to bringing an end, once and for all, to executions in our state. Changes are made by ordinary people taking small tasks upon themselves to achieve great things. So choose one (or even two or three) of the actions below and help our state move away from vengeance, violence, and killing.

1. Attend your local TCASK Chapter meeting or contact the state office to start a local chapter

2. Write a letter to the editor of your local paper about why Tennessee doesn’t need the death penalty

3. Get a friend to sign up for the TCASK mailing list

4. Write to your state representatives about why you oppose the death penalty

5. Gather moratorium petitions from 5 small businesses and organizations in your neighborhood

6. Talk to you pastor about engaging your church in the death penalty issue

7. Host a house party

8. Volunteer in the TCASK office

9. Bring a TCASK skills training (public speaking, lobbying, or strategic planning) to your local group

10. Make a donation to TCASK – it’s easy just click here.

I would also recommend you subscribe to the TCASK blog or newsletter yourself if you haven’t already.