The Faith Leaders of Color Coalition visited Tremane Wood, currently on death row in Oklahoma, one day before Wood’s scheduled execution tomorrow at McAlester State Penitentiary in McAlester, OK.
Below is a message shared by Joia Erin Thornton, Founder & National Director of the Faith Leaders of Color Coalition, about her visit with Wood.
Yesterday, I visited Tremane Wood at McAlester “Big Mac” State Penitentiary. As we turned the corner toward the H-Max wing, a large sign came into view: “Welcome to the Only Rodeo Behind Prison Walls.”
Tremane’s lead investigator, Lamont Williams, explained that this referred to the McAlester Prison Rodeo- a long-running event where incarcerated men competed in rodeo games for the entertainment of the public and the profit of the prison. The rodeo, which ended only a few years ago, resulted in countless injuries, high medical costs, and deep humiliation for those forced to participate.
As I spoke with Tremane, he was in good spirits and remained strong in his faith, he was exhausted from the protocol that comes with an execution- including a series of tests, which are very inhumane.
However, the irony of that rodeo sign stuck with me. The same facility that once hosted a public exhibition of human suffering now houses Tremane on death watch, sleeping just steps from the execution chamber.
Thank you to everyone who added your name to the more than 300 pastors who are encouraging Gov. Stitt to make the right decision and agree with the Parole and Pardon Board in favor of clemency for Tremane Wood. FLOCC delivered the letter on Monday as Tremane’s attorneys met with the Governor and his team. We have been fighting and will continue to fight until Tremane’s life is spared.
We have one day left to save Tremane Wood’s life. We have one day left to stop the State of Oklahoma from executing a man who did not kill anyone during the crime he was sentenced to die for. We have one day left to urge Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt to appeal to his better angels and follow the recommendation for clemency made the the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board.
Here’s how you can help:
Share these images on social media and through text message
Make a :30 second social media video directly to Gov. Kevin Stitt (Governor Stitt on Twitter, Governor Stitt on Facebook) urging him to demand clemency
Share the article in The Oklahoman featuring two local pastors
Call the Governor Directly and leave a message asking him to grant clemency
Attend an in-person prayer vigil in Oklahoma, today at 7PM – Email FLOCC for details
Share the recent press for Tremane
Thank you all for your advocacy and tireless efforts working toward a fairer criminal justice system.
