South Carolina has chosen to respond to violence with more violence, using state-sponsored execution to send a message that killing is wrong. While vigils, protests, letters, and advocacy remain valuable tools on the road to abolishing the death penalty, the reality is that Death Warrants in SC are nearly always carried out regardless of the advocacy.
Instead of solely mourning the victim(s) of the crime and the death-sentenced prisoner via vigil, SCADP is reclaiming the narrative that all violence is wrong, and only one side - the people - is working to address the very systemic failures that led to the loss of multiple lives.
In memorials, the phrase “In Lieu of Flowers” encourages donations to causes that honor the deceased. SCADP’s “In Lieu of Violence” Initiative applies this idea to individuals on South Carolina’s Death Row—transforming mourning and vigil into meaningful action. It’s a vision of justice rooted in prevention, not retribution.
As we survey the state of the death penalty, as well as the politics across our national landscape, one question keeps coming back:
How will all of this affect our state’s children?
With the ongoing government shutdown and state officials refusing to address the roots of violence, South Carolina’s children are among those most at risk — facing hunger, homelessness, abuse, and neglect. When state systems fail to protect them, we are called to respond with compassion.
That’s why, for this execution, our In Lieu of Violence Initiative will support a children’s advocacy center here in South Carolina—providing safety, healing, and hope to children who need it most.
We’ll share more details soon about the specific program we’re partnering with. But today, we invite you to join us in advance by donating to SCADP through the link below.
Every dollar given through this campaign will go directly to supporting a local children’s advocacy center as they care for South Carolina’s most vulnerable kids.
Together, we can stand for life, healing, and love — in lieu of violence.
