Athens Gathers to Protest Upcoming Execution
A vigil is planned in Athens to oppose the scheduled execution of Willie J. Pye. Barring unexpected changes, Pye is set to be executed by lethal injection on Wednesday, March 20th at 7pm at the Jackson State Prison.
“Community members are invited to attend the vigil at the UGA Arch on Broad Street starting at 6pm to stand in opposition to capital punishment and this pending execution,” said organizer John Vodicka.
Pye has been on death row for almost 30 years. Supporters argue he is intellectually disabled with an IQ of 68 and executing him would be unjust. If the execution proceeds as scheduled, Pye will be the 77th person put to death in Georgia since 1983.
Raising Awareness of Disability and Justice
The organizers hope the vigil will bring attention to the issues of intellectual disability in death penalty cases. “We want people to consider whether it is right to execute someone who lacks full mental capacity,” said Vodicka. Recent Supreme Court rulings have made it more difficult for those with intellectual disabilities to avoid a death sentence. However, advocates continue fighting for greater protections.
Over 100 people have already pledged to attend and stand silently for an hour holding signs saying “Respect Life” and “Stop Legal Lynching”. The group aims to protest peacefully and respectfully and plans to disperse before the scheduled time of execution. They hope their message of mercy and disability rights will be heard.
