TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – While awaiting word of Brandon Bernard’s execution on Thursday, dozens of protestors and members of international media converged across the street from the Terre Haute Federal Penitentiary.
Protestors say their main message continues to be that they want the death penalty to be abolished in the U.S.
“We’re finishing up with school right now. I’ve got other responsibilities I’ve got to work on but it hurts to know that in Indiana we’re putting people to death,” said Brian Hancock, IU student.
Thursday during demonstrations, protestors held up signs, hosted a silent vigil, and voiced their concerns about the executions taking place at the federal prison.
Members of media from France, Netherlands, and Australia also made the trip to Terre Haute.
During the day on Thursday, #BrandonBernard also briefly trended worldwide on Twitter.
“When it comes to executing individuals, we are executing people based on who they are, based on their so-called future dangerousness. It is literally 2020, we have hindsight and we know Brandon Bernard is not the worst of the worst and people are finally getting access to these individuals and getting their stories out there because people are finally speaking up,” said Ashley Kincaid-Eve, anti-death penalty activist/Indiana attorney.
Kincaid-Eve says she believes in 2021, that the federal government’s approach to the death penalty will shift.
“We for the first time in the history of this country have a president-elect who has committed to abolishing the death penalty. He doesn’t need the legislature to do it, all he needs to do is grant clemency and I can promise you that I will dedicate the next four years to guaranteeing that happens,” she said.
Bernard’s scheduled execution has gained the attention of celebrities.
Kim Kardashian has used social media to plead with President Donald Trump to halt Bernard’s execution.
