Death Penalty Banned in New Mexico!

Bill Richardson, the Governor of New Mexico

March 18, 2009, the Democratic leader Bill Richardson, Governor of New Mexico signed the bill to ban death penalty in the state.

This is good news to all Americans and all those who believe in the sanctity of human life.
Benjamin Todd Jealous, the President and CEO of National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) sent me the following letter on the same issue and I am happy Bill Richardson did the right thing for the great benefit of humanity.

Dear Orikinla,

On Friday, March 13, the New Mexico Legislature passed House Bill 285 which would, if signed, repeal the death penalty in New Mexico.

The bill is now before New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, and there is a very short window of time to act. The Governor MUST sign the bill before midnight tonight, March 18, 2009.

Please call him right now -- at (505) 476-2225 -- and tell him you support HB 285 to repeal the death penalty in New Mexico. It will take you just 1 minute.

It's important that Governor Bill Richardson hears from as many people as possible. And if you have friends or family who live in New Mexico, please forward this urgent message to them.

If you prefer to weigh in online, go to the governor's web site at: http://www.governor.state.nm.us/emailchoice.php?mm=6

Some background on the death penalty:
People of color are disproportionally affected by the death penalty in America. In fact, African Americans and Latinos account for 43% of total executions since 1976, while we're just over 25% of the population. Also, African Americans make up over 40% of the people currently on death row in America.

The death penalty is not preventing crimes, and there are alternatives. Not only is it morally wrong, it's also expensive and discriminatory. State by state, together, we can end the death penalty in America.

Thank you for helping end the death penalty!

Sincerely,

Benjamin Todd Jealous
President and CEO
NAACP

PS - Want more information on the death penalty? Check out the Web site of our friends at the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. http://www.ncadp.org