Abolish the death penalty nationwide
The Issue
On April 30, 2026, my son, James Broadnax, was executed in Huntsville, Texas, for crimes he did not commit. As a parent who had to endure watching my innocent child pay the ultimate price, I am compelled to call for the complete abolition of the death penalty across the United States. Too many lives have been unjustly taken, and it’s time we acknowledge the serious flaws within our criminal justice system.
The statistics are alarming and undeniable: according to the Death Penalty Information Center, more than 185 people have been exonerated from death row since the 1970s due to wrongful convictions. This is not just a number; these are human beings—people like my son—and every error reflects a heartbreaking and irreparable loss. It is evident that the risk of executing an innocent person is too high, with the irreversible nature of capital punishment leaving no room for correcting mistakes.
Executing individuals, even if deemed guilty, does not change the harm that has been done. It does nothing to bring back the lives lost or undo the pain suffered by victims and their families. Instead, it perpetuates a cycle of violence and retribution, which does not align with the values of justice, mercy, and rehabilitation that our society should uphold.
Moreover, studies have shown that the death penalty does not effectively deter crime. The vast majority of criminologists agree that it is not a more effective deterrent than life imprisonment without parole. Instead of investing in a costly system that offers no guarantee of preventing crime, those resources could be better utilized in programs that address the root causes of criminal behavior and promote healing and reconciliation.
It is time for us to demand change and move toward a more humane and equitable justice system. By joining forces, we can make our voices heard and push for legislative action to abolish the death penalty nationwide. We owe it to the countless innocent lives lost and to those like my son who suffered a grave miscarriage of justice.
Please sign this petition and help us advocate for the abolition of the death penalty across the entire nation. Together, we can bring an end to this inhumane practice and work towards a better, fairer justice system for all.
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The Issue
On April 30, 2026, my son, James Broadnax, was executed in Huntsville, Texas, for crimes he did not commit. As a parent who had to endure watching my innocent child pay the ultimate price, I am compelled to call for the complete abolition of the death penalty across the United States. Too many lives have been unjustly taken, and it’s time we acknowledge the serious flaws within our criminal justice system.
The statistics are alarming and undeniable: according to the Death Penalty Information Center, more than 185 people have been exonerated from death row since the 1970s due to wrongful convictions. This is not just a number; these are human beings—people like my son—and every error reflects a heartbreaking and irreparable loss. It is evident that the risk of executing an innocent person is too high, with the irreversible nature of capital punishment leaving no room for correcting mistakes.
Executing individuals, even if deemed guilty, does not change the harm that has been done. It does nothing to bring back the lives lost or undo the pain suffered by victims and their families. Instead, it perpetuates a cycle of violence and retribution, which does not align with the values of justice, mercy, and rehabilitation that our society should uphold.
Moreover, studies have shown that the death penalty does not effectively deter crime. The vast majority of criminologists agree that it is not a more effective deterrent than life imprisonment without parole. Instead of investing in a costly system that offers no guarantee of preventing crime, those resources could be better utilized in programs that address the root causes of criminal behavior and promote healing and reconciliation.
It is time for us to demand change and move toward a more humane and equitable justice system. By joining forces, we can make our voices heard and push for legislative action to abolish the death penalty nationwide. We owe it to the countless innocent lives lost and to those like my son who suffered a grave miscarriage of justice.
Please sign this petition and help us advocate for the abolition of the death penalty across the entire nation. Together, we can bring an end to this inhumane practice and work towards a better, fairer justice system for all.
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Petition created on September 25, 2026