Team,

Earl Washington was almost executed by the Commonwealth of Virginia. He had severe learning and developmental disabilities that caused him to agree to everything authorities told him, including confessing to crimes with incorrect accounts and details.

Thankfully, Mr. Washingtons' execution was delayed, and 16 years later, he was exonerated. It's a tragic story, but worse, there are so many other stories like it, many of which end in innocent people put to death by state executions.

This week, the hard work of so many Virginia progressives to elect Democratic majorities in the House and Senate resulted in Virginia abolishing the death penalty.

That's why, I am so thankful of the work you did to make this happen and for the leadership from my friends in the Virginia State House and Senate. Now, we must take the next step and end the death penalty at the federal level. If you're with me, please sign my petition today! [www.paction.us/deathpenalty/GCVA-11-Email-E7401]

ADD YOUR NAME [www.paction.us/deathpenalty/GCVA-11-Email-E7401]

For years, Virginia had one of the highest rates of execution in the world. The death penalty is a practice rooted in slavery, and with Black people constituting half of Virginia's death row, banning the death penalty is an urgent racial justice issue. If we can end the death penalty here, we can do it nationally.

Donald Trump committed countless acts of cruelty on his way out the door -- one of them was after reversing the federal pause on executions. Trump presided over 13 executions in his last year in office, including 3 in his final week. We can't allow this power to rest on the whims of a single man.

So, given the racist and permanent nature of the death penalty, we must act quickly. That's why I am proud to carry forward the work of my colleagues in the Virginia legislature and bring this fight to the federal level. This movement is growing rapidly. Sign on NOW to ensure we don't lose the momentum and help ban the death penalty for good! [www.paction.us/deathpenalty/GCVA-11-Email-E7401]

SIGN ON NOW [www.paction.us/deathpenalty/GCVA-11-Email-E7401]

Thanks for your support!

Congressman Gerry Connolly
Virginia's 11th District



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