Palo Alto Friends Meeting: Minute of Concern Regarding the Death Penalty

Minute of Concern Regarding the Death Penalty

Palo Alto Friends Meeting

October 11, 2026

As a Quaker faith community, we unwaveringly oppose the death penalty under all circumstances. As Quakers we believe that every human being carries a sacred spark or divine presence. The death penalty is inconsistent with that belief. The taking of a person’s life as “punishment” is a rejection of their humanity and of the potential for their redemption.

With that abiding belief we are now appalled by the proposal to live broadcast an execution. It is the somber duty of people of faith to bear public witness against acts of injustice… Witness them, not celebrate them …Not revel in them. … Not glorify them. We call on all people of good will to join us in demanding that there be no such broadcasting of this, or any, execution.

The death penalty is known to be no deterrent to violent crime and presents a financial burden to government and taxpayers. We, therefore, further call upon Governor Newsom to lead the nation and commute all death sentences currently in place in California.