Churches ring for mercy as executions loom across three states

With executions scheduled in Tennessee, Alabama, and Oklahoma, faith communities gathered to toll a historic bell and call for mercy. Their witness carries the same message heard in Buffalo: execution is not the answer.

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Kristen Hansen rings a bell outside First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Nashville in opposition to the death penalty. — Photo courtesy of Death Penalty Action, via Religion News Service

To take a life when a life has been lost is revenge, not justice.Desmond Tutu

Why This Matters Now

A local movement, not a news archive.

The coalition exists to make sure Western New Yorkers understand what is happening in federal court and why execution is not necessary for accountability, safety, or healing.

We know what’s going on. We’re paying attention. And we’re educating people that the death penalty is not necessary in this case and that we oppose it under all circumstances.Paul McQuillen, Chair

We got to let God have his way here.Murray Holman, Coalition Coordinator

Murray Holman and Paul McQuillen speaking with local press beside signs opposing the death penalty — Murray Holman, Coalition Coordinator, and Paul McQuillen, Coalition Chair

Current Buffalo Updates

Follow the local trial context, courthouse actions, and policy updates that shape the coalition’s work.

Death penalty opinion

The Parkland verdict and the death penalty

A New York Times opinion piece considers the death penalty in the aftermath of the Parkland shooting sentencing.

Read The New York Times

Photo Courtesy Glenn E. Murray, Attorney, Buffalo

Buffalo courthouse update

Judge approves public overflow courtroom ahead of federal trial

A live video feed will give victims’ families and the public additional access as the federal death penalty case moves toward jury selection.

Read Coalition update

Buffalo federal case

Official Gendron case page lists August jury selection

The Justice Department’s victim-notification page lists jury selection in the federal Payton Gendron case for August 17, 2026, with case updates and support contacts for victims and survivors.

Read U.S. Attorney’s Office, W.D.N.Y.

Breaking News

Local action

WNY Coalition launches campaign as jury selection begins

Local coverage quoted Paul McQuillen and Murray Holman on life without parole, community healing, and better uses for public resources.

Read Buffalo News

National analysis

Marshall Project finds the modern death penalty still broken after 50 years

A new analysis of more than 9,000 death sentences since Gregg v. Georgia shows the same problems remain: racial disparities, arbitrary outcomes, decades of delay, and innocence risk.

Read The Marshall Project

National policy

Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act introduced as H.R. 8940

The House bill would end federal death sentences and require resentencing for people already on federal death row.

Read Coalition update

Photo Courtesy Glenn E. Murray, Attorney, Buffalo

Buffalo courthouse watch

Jury selection begins in Buffalo federal death penalty trial

As potential jurors reported to federal court, coalition members gathered in Niagara Square to ring the bell and publicly oppose execution.

Read Spectrum News 1

National policy

Ohio governor urges end to death penalty

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine urged lawmakers to abolish the death penalty, saying it is not a deterrent to murder and can no longer be morally justified.

Read The Guardian

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Gifts are processed through Death Penalty Action for the Western NY effort.

The coalition partners with Death Penalty Action for advocacy support and donation processing. The button takes supporters to the Western NY ActBlue donation page.

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