November 11, 2019

This past Saturday, over a thousand people rallied in front of Governor Greg Abbott’s home in Austin, Texas, demanding justice for Rodney Reed. It was the largest demonstration against a Texas execution in recent memory. After speeches from civil rights activist Shaun King, Rodney’s mother Sandra Reed, and Stacey Stites’ cousin Heather Campbell Stobbs, and others, attendees took to the street and spontaneously surrounded the Governors Mansion, circling and chanting “FREE RODNEY REED”. Full speakers list here

But this fight is far from over. Greg Abbott and the Texas courts have still done nothing to stop this injustice. Join us at any of the following events, help us publicize them, and keep making those phone calls!

Wednesday, November 13: Court hearing and rally in Bastrop

Judge Doug Shaver was appointed as a one-day visiting judge to Rodney’s case in 2014. Nearly five years later he signed Rodney’s death warrant. This hearing will contest the validity of Judge Shaver’s decision after news of his retirement has come to light. Rev. Al Sharpton will join the rally outside the Bastrop Co. DA’s office at 804 Pecan St.* The hearing will begin at 1:30. Details here

UPDATE: The hearing has been cancelled without explanation. The rally is still taking place! *location changed from the Bastrop Co Jail to the Bastrop DA office

Thursday, November 14: Evening vigils in Austin, Bastrop, Los Angeles and the Supreme Court in Washington DC

Austin: 7:00 PM – 7:00 AM at the Governor’s Mansion. Details here: https://facebook.com/events/524111651654901/? Can’t stay all night? Sign up for a shift here

Bastrop: 7:00 – 10:00 PM at the Bastrop County Courthouse. Details: https://www.facebook.com/191836804232906/posts/2577555158994380?

Los Angeles: 5:00 – 9:00 PM at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse. Details: https://facebook.com/events/268752237405680/?

Washington DC: 7:00 PM – 11 AM at SCOTUS. Details: https://facebook.com/events/525728651605715/? On Friday, the United States Supreme Court will decide if Rodney’s constitutional rights were violated during a hearing in October 2017.

These are not the first all-night demos for Rodney. University of Texas students held an overnight vigil for Rodney in the weeks before his scheduled execution in February 2015. The students were joined by members of the community, freed prisoner Mark Clements, and Rodney’s brother Rodrick on one of the coldest nights of the year. Hold a vigil wherever you are!

Sunday, November 17: Nationwide rallies to #FreeRodneyReed

Shaun King’s Action PAC has put out a call for people to organize their own rallies on November 17. See a list of rallies happening across the United States here or sign up to start a rally in your city here: https://www.mobilize.us/actionpac/c/rally-for-rodney/event/create/?