Death Penalty Information Center Statement Concerning the Death of George Floyd

In three decades of providing information and analysis on the death penalty, DPIC has covered thousands of cases, studies, and scholarly articles on the administration of the death penalty in the United States. We know that racial injustice has been a core problem in the administration of the death penalty and that it persists to the present day. The history of the death penalty is intertwined with that of vigilante and law enforcement violence against African Americans. With this knowledge, we watch the events of the last weeks and recognize familiar patterns. DPIC extends its sympathy to the families of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, and stands in support of full justice and equality for all.

We hope that our resources can provide helpful information for individuals and organizations who are grappling with how to ensure that our criminal legal system respects our common humanity and lives up to its promise to provide equal justice for all. If you would like to learn more about the pervasive impact of race on capital punishment in the United States, please visit our website and our pages on race and the death penalty.