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A Message from NAACP National President Derrick Johnson:



An innocent man is facing execution in Missouri TOMORROW!

I’ve sent a letter to Governor Michael L. Parson urging him to halt the execution. Today, I need you to do the same. Here’s what you need to know and how you can take action immediately:

On September 24, Marcellus Williams is scheduled to be executed after spending over two decades on death row despite DNA evidence proving his innocence.

Mr. Williams did not commit the murder for which he was convicted. The prosecutor knows it, and the citizens of Missouri know it.

Even though the vast majority of murders involve an offender and victim(s) of the same race, 54% of the African-American men executed by Missouri were convicted of crimes involving White victims.

Executing Marcellus Williams would not be seen as just punishment for a crime. It would not be viewed as Missouri being “tough on crime,” being “a law and order” state or as any other bumper sticker political rhetoric.

Instead, taking the life of Marcellus Williams would be an unequivocal statement that when a White woman is killed, a Black man must die. And any Black man will do.

Governor Parson has the power to prove that Missouri is better than its ugly history of racism and unspeakable treatment of its Black residents. The NAACP is urging him to do the right thing – stop the execution of Marcellus Williams.

Rod, if we apply enough pressure we can stop this miscarriage of justice. Will you add your voice to ours and send a letter in support of Mr. Williams? We’re running out of time, please act now:

For Culture. For Community.

Derrick Johnson

President and CEO

NAACP