Together with local, state, and national partners, TCADP works to reduce use of the death penalty in Texas. Here’s a snapshot of our impact to date in 2024:
We hosted the TCADP 2024 Annual Conference: Creating Conscious Communities on March 2, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. Attendees heard from capital defense attorneys, innocence experts, a jury foreman in a capital trial, faith leaders, victim survivors, and advocates. We honored four people who have raised awareness of death penalty issues in distinct and meaningful ways. And we heard from civil rights icon, Ms. Opal Lee, the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” who encouraged us to wake up every morning with an aspiration to help others. Conversations at the conference addressed the trauma of the death penalty process while also the need to embrace joy, hope, and resilience.
TCADP has worked to stop executions and shed light on the humanity of those condemned to death. With Texas Defender Service, we co-sponsored a petition to save Ramiro Gonzales (pictured here, courtesy of Elisabetta Diorio), who was executed on June 26, 2024, despite evidence of his rehabilitation. Currently, we are deeply engaged in the campaign to stop the execution of Robert Roberson, scheduled for October 17, 2024.
We hand-delivered our report, Texas Death Penalty Developments in 2023: The Year in Review, to every legislative office at the State Capitol, and provide commentary and analysis on the death penalty to journalists who cover this issue.
We have participated in community events throughout the state, including Martin Luther King Day, Jr. activities, political conventions, and Juneteenth. In addition, TCADP staff and board members have delivered presentations to community colleges and churches, hosted TCADP membership gatherings in Austin, Dallas, and Houston, and organized an important webinar about the intersection of race and the death penalty. TCADP also continues to host a virtual book group and support events sponsored by our Organizational Affiliates.
