News & Commentary

Apr 08, 2025

Death Row Case Exposes Failures to Protect Childhood Trauma Survivors

Mikal Mahdi’s life was marked by abuse. Today, as he awaits execution, the courts have the responsibility to acknowledge the systemic failures that shaped his path.

By Megan Byrne, Elisa Epstein

A young Black boy stands in a front yard smiling and wearing a tuxedo
Feb 17, 2025

State House Dispatch: Feb. 17, 2025

School privatization on the fast track, an anti-trans bill stalled, and unanimous support for a bill to expand the carceral state

By Paul Bowers

"State House Dispatch: Feb. 17, 2025. This Week Under the Copper Dome." Text appears over a pink and blue-tinted image of the South Carolina State House dome.
Jan 31, 2025

A plea for Marion Bowman's life

We joined South Carolinians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty delivering petitions to the governor. These are our comments.

By Paul Bowers

Petitioners, including a white woman in minister's garments and a Black man in a dress shirt, deliver petitions at a desk in the State House lobby.
Oct 10, 2024

Remembering a last-ditch effort to block the death penalty in South Carolina

In 1977, Black and Republican lawmakers fought to the bitter end against state killing

By Paul Bowers

"Remembering a last-ditch effort to block the death penalty." Red text appears over a white cinder block background.
Sep 27, 2024

The campaign to end the death penalty is urgent again

Outrage over state executions has reached the international stage. It’s time for a new generation to finish the work of ending the death penalty.

By Paul Bowers

A man with a long white beard sits beside a black banner that reads, "USA: 1594 Executions 1977 - Present. Stop Executions!"
Oct 17, 2023

An update on Brittany Martin, a Black activist behind bars

She received a 4-year prison sentence for speaking out during a protest. We’re fighting to free her.

By Paul Bowers

A photo of Brittany Martin. She is wearing a green, red, yellow, and black top and is smiling at the camera.
Sep 21, 2023

Hard facts about South Carolina’s death penalty

Executions are costly, racist in practice, and ineffective at keeping us safe. We should abolish the death penalty now.

By Paul Bowers

South Carolina's death chamber. A chair in the front is covered in gray cloth. Another chair is metal and has straps attached. The walls are covered by black curtains.
May 09, 2022

Status on the Execution of Richard Moore

There was a temporary stay issued by the South Carolina Supreme Court that halted that execution, but the execution is still possible. We and our partners are still fighting to stop the execution entirely – we don't believe in inhumane state-sanctioned murder.

ACLU of South Carolina Interim Executive Director Karen Culbreath on April 27 in Columbia. Image by WCIW.
Apr 29, 2022

Children are Living a Nightmare in DJJ Facilities

We filed a lawsuit against the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) to try and help over 250 children living in nightmare conditions in DJJ facilities. The DJJ is significantly understaffed and undertrained, and as a result, children have suffered irreparable harm.

Gavel