Building Back Together Applauds President Biden’s Announcement To Commute the Sentences for 37 Individuals

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 23, 2024
PRESS CONTACT: [email protected]

BUILDING BACK TOGETHER APPLAUDS PRESIDENT BIDEN’S ANNOUNCEMENT TO COMMUTE THE SENTENCES FOR 37 INDIVIDUALS

President Biden announced that he is commuting the sentences of nearly all individuals on federal death row — making him the president who has issued more commutations at this point in his presidency than any of his recent predecessors at the same point in their first terms.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, President Biden announced he is commuting the sentences of 37 individuals on federal death row, reclassifying their sentences to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. This announcement aligns with President Biden’s long-standing opposition to the death penalty at the federal level, except in cases involving terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder. The Biden-Harris Administration imposed a moratorium on federal executions in 2021.

In response to this announcement, Building Back Together Executive Director Mayra Macías released the following statement:

“Today’s historic announcement is another testament to President Biden’s commitment to the rule of law and a fair, effective justice system for all Americans. Guided by his morals and principles, President Biden has been clear from day one that our country should move away from the death penalty at the federal level, except in cases of terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder The death penalty disproportionately affects people of color, making this shift even more crucial for achieving a truly just criminal justice system.

“Building Back Together stands with President Biden and his administration in taking meaningful actions to ensure accountability for crimes without resorting to capital punishment.”

For more information, please see the White House’s fact sheet here.

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