Thank you for continuing to stand with Sonny Burton. Momentum is growing as more people learn his story, raise their voices, and come together in support of mercy during this critical time.
BIG NEWS!
Virtual Press Conference: March 4
Join us for a virtual press conference advocating for Charles “Sonny” Burton, who faces execution on March 12. The event will feature a message from Sonny himself and will be emceed by Rabia Chaudry, host of the Undisclosed podcast, Executive Producer of the four-part HBO documentary series “The Case Against Adnan Syed," and renowned attorney, author, and advocate.
When: Wednesday, March 4, at 11:00 AM ET.
Where to Watch: Live on the CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) YouTube channel.
Featured Speakers:
Matt Schulz, Attorney for Mr. Burton.
Imam Aswan Abdul-Addarr, Spiritual Advisor to Mr. Burton.
Reverend Shane Isner, Pastor at First Christian Church.
We spoke with Sonny by phone from his cell on death row at Holman Prison, where he reflected on how forgiving the man who murdered his wife changed him forever. While the audio quality reflects the limitations of prison phone calls, the depth of Sonny’s voice and the power of his message are unmistakable.
Sonny has also received the profound gift of forgiveness from the daughter of Doug Battle, the man whose life was tragically lost after Sonny helped plan and participate in an armed robbery. Her forgiveness means the world to him and reflects the compassion and healing that have emerged from unimaginable loss.
Governor Ivey now has the opportunity to honor that spirit of grace by giving it meaningful weight as Sonny’s scheduled execution approaches. There are many compelling reasons for clemency in this case. You can read them all in the clemency petition.
This week's urgent actions
Call the Governor's Office
Between now and March 12, phone calls, especially from Alabamians, are important. Staff track every call, and your voice can make a difference. The phone number to call is: (334) 242- 7100. Here's a script you can follow or personalize:
Hello, my name is _____________ and I live in ______________.
I’m calling to urge Governor Ivey to grant clemency to Mr. Charles “Sonny” Burton before his scheduled execution on March 12. Sonny did not kill anyone, and the State agreed to resentence the person who committed the shooting to life without parole. Executing Sonny now would be deeply unjust.
I respectfully ask the Governor to review his case and commute his sentence to life without parole. There is still time to prevent an irreversible mistake.
Thank you for taking my call.
TIME SENSITIVE: Mail an OpEd to Governor Ivey
One of the most powerful actions you can take right now is contacting Governor Kay Ivey’s office directly to ask for clemency for Sonny Burton. Many OpEds have been written about Sonny's case, most recently a joint call for mercy from four Alabama faith leaders including Sonny's Imam.
Office of the Governor Governor Kay Ivey 600 Dexter Avenue Montgomery, AL 36130
Not sure what to say? Here’s an example you can use or personalize:
Dear Governor Ivey:
I’m writing to respectfully urge you to grant clemency to Charles “Sonny” Burton and commute his sentence to life without parole.
Sonny did not kill anyone, and the person who committed the shooting was resentenced to life years ago. After more than three decades on death row and with his health now severely compromised, mercy is appropriate in this case.
I am not asking for release, only fairness. Please commute his sentence.
Sincerely,
[your name]
in the news
Sonny’s case continues to draw attention from media outlets and community leaders calling for mercy.
Join us for our final Mercy Monday gathering as we stand for human dignity and witness before an irreversible act. We invite all local supporters to help us deliver a powerful plea for clemency to Governor Ivey.
When & Where:
7:30 AM: Gather at the Governor’s Mansion (1142 Perry St., Montgomery, AL).
8:00 AM: We begin a 1.5-mile march from the Mansion to the Alabama State Capitol.
8:30 AM: Arrival at the State Capitol (600 Dexter Ave) to drop off the petition at the Governor's office.
If you are unable to walk the 1.5-mile route, please drive ahead and meet the group at the State Capitol at 8:30 AM.
Your presence, whether walking or waiting at the Capitol, is a vital testament to the value of every human life.
Help Spread the Message in Your Community
Help raise awareness by displaying a Save Sonny yard sign or flag or asking your faith community or organization to change it's marquee message to "Save Sonny."
Yard flags are available to order and have shipped directly to you. This is the last week to order!
Visible reminders help spark conversations, and conversations create momentum.
Financial contributions help cover travel expenses for Sonny’s loved ones, clemency outreach efforts, including public awareness materials and, if it becomes necessary, funeral costs. Donations are being collected through the Alabama Post Conviction Relief Project (APCRP). Visit the page linked below and select “Donate.” You’ll then be directed to APCRP’s PayPal donation form. Please include the note “Save Sonny Campaign” in the donation message.
Thank you for continuing to stand with Sonny and his family during this critical time. Momentum is building. Voices are growing. And mercy is still possible.
Together, we keep showing up.
To find Sonny’s story, share more information about his case with others, sign the petition, and learn more visit his website https://www.charlessonnyburton.com.
With gratitude,
Team Sonny
Your continued presence and commitment matter deeply. This newsletter will continue weekly as we stand together in this call for mercy for Sonny.
Have questions or need more information? Contact us at:
