USA: Commute Billie Allen’s death sentence

Dear President Biden,

We welcomed the abolitionist pledge you made before taking office but am concerned at the lack of decisive action in the past two years to make that promise a reality. Indeed, your administration’s defense of federal death sentences – opposing relief and moving individuals closer to execution – is reason to question its commitment to your pledge.

More than 40 men remain on federal death row. One of them is Billie Allen, 19 years old at the time of the crime. He is now 45. His case illustrates the sort of racial and geographic biases which have long been of concern about the death penalty in the USA.

We do not seek to minimize the seriousness of violent crime or to downplay its consequences on individuals, their families, and the wider community. However, we believe the death penalty is a symptom of violence not a solution to it and expands the grief and suffering of relatives and loved ones of murder victims to those of the condemned.

International law requires governments to ensure abolition of the death penalty within a reasonable timeframe. Nearly half a century after the USA resumed judicial killing, it is falling far short of this responsibility.

Please meet your abolitionist pledge. As an immediate first step, we urge you to use your constitutional authority to commute the death sentences of Billie Allen and all others on federal death row.

Yours sincerely,

SUPPORTER VOICES - REASONS FOR SIGNING

Sadly Black lives don't always matter in the American Justice System. Prays for Billlie and his faioly that he will soon walk free xxx

JILLY

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I dont belive we should have death row and because this man did not get a fair trial due to racial bias

Zara

Everyone is equal. He should be entitled to truth . He has served 25years. Where is your humanity

Irene

he is innocent and help has been witheld from him to prove his innocence.

Michelle Duffy

we must support Māori and Pacifica, because for too long they have been discriminated against in every aspect of their lives! We MUST stand up against ongoing discrimination or we are party to it continuing!

Cheryl

racal bias,let this man out

Dianne

25yrs ago, black people were always to blame...time to get up with the times, and realize, white people who hold positions of power, should be brought to account

Chequita

Billie's situation and the death penalty are unconsionable.

Lyndsay

Racism is a cancer which must be removed if people are to live healthy lived

Powhiri Wharemaarama

justice has been denied this man

Joan

racial discrimination is a plague to society that should have been purged long ago

Lauren

being locked up for your colour or race is wrong.

Helene

I understand that racial bias has affected Billie Allen's case, that he has been linked to the crime despite a lack of evidence, and I consider both of these to be expressions of injustice

I believe in fairness in all things. It is not right to refuse new dna evidence which might help clear his name. The USA has so we have heard released murderers and drug addicts to roam the streets and infect others with their ways and drug use. You're country does not follow rules that are good for its people. People first!

Anita

unfair everyone should be treated with same respect give the man the dna test this is someones family member give the family at least some closure

Victoria

Innocent until proven guilty. If dna might prove his innocence then to deny him such a test would be a perversion of justice. To deny him the ability under any circumstance to prove his innocence is to prove him guilty unless proven innocent. The very opposite of justice.

Margorie

you are innocent until proven guilty a test must be taken

Kim

Billie Allen needs justice and the truth to come out with a DNA test

Alison

This is injustice. Free him now.

Valma

I want to stand up for justice.

Ivy

its unacceptable, we are all equal.

Pam

he needs to be dna tested!

Michelle

I oppose the use of the death penalty to cover up racism.

Barbara

The Government is Racist and Based on Liars

Frank

I'm human!

Anna

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