The state of Arizona is scheduled to execute Aaron Gunches today at 10 AM. Aaron is one of over 165 people who have “volunteered” for execution in the United State since 1977. When faced with an execution of this nature, we must ask ourselves: What drives a person to make such an impossible choice? The relentless cruelty of death row, the despair of incarceration, and a system designed to strip people of their humanity all drive this decision. This will never be justice—it is violence carried out in the name of the state.

As we respect Aaron’s autonomy, we cannot lose sight of the broader fight—for justice, for dignity, and for a future without state-sanctioned killing. We invite you to email Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs and demand she stop executions in Arizona. Remind her that the death penalty is not just a state issue—it’s a national crisis of human rights and justice. Urge her to honor her own executive order on transparency and stop this irreversible act of violence.