JOIN US JANUARY 17, 2027 FOR DIRECT ACTION
Every five years, on January 17th, we risk arrest in nonviolent civil disobedience on the U.S. Supreme Court steps in Washington, DC to mark the anniversary of the first execution in the U.S.'s modern era, when Gary Gilmore was executed by firing Squad in Utah in 1977.
Abolitionists from around the country gather to protest this grim milestone by bringing the message of "STOP EXECUTIONS" to the steps and plaza of the court, where protests are not permitted.
The action has ranged from groups in size from 8 to 18 people going to jail overnight, and dozens others nearby to witness and support. We often challenge the arrest in a public trial the following summer to put the death penalty on the stand.
Our most recent action took place in January 2022 on the 45th anniversary of Gary Gilmore's execution. We also brought the message to the U.S. Capitol Building and the White House, where the legislative and execution branches of government also have the power to stop executions.
And if the Supreme Court continues to fail us, we will be back for a repeat in 2027. Check back for details here.