Coalition urges Governor Newsom to commute all 578 California death sentences

Former death-row prisoner Shujaa Graham, exonerated after decades of incarceration, is working with a coalition that comprises exonerees, relatives of the condemned, victims' families and over 200 advocacy groups to request that Governor Gavin Newsom use his clemency powers to commute all 578 death sentences in California before his term concludes. The coalition contends that the death penalty is racially discriminatory, disproportionately affecting Black people, and inflicts severe psychological harm on those sentenced.

While Newsom placed a moratorium on executions in 2019 and moved inmates out of San Quentin, activists say this falls short of full abolition. The group has staged candle vigils at the state Capitol, engaged civil-rights and faith leaders, launched art campaigns, and gathered more than 33,000 petition signatures. An international alliance of 46 organizations from multiple continents has also appealed to Newsom, highlighting the global significance of ending the nation’s largest death-row roster.