ALBUQUERQUE, NM—Today, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico denounced the House of Representatives’ vote to reinstate the death penalty in New Mexico. The following quote can be attributed to ACLU of New Mexico Executive Director Peter Simonson:
“Today, under the cover of darkness while most New Mexicans were asleep, the New Mexico House of Representatives passed a backwards and retrogressive bill to reinstate the death penalty in New Mexico. This underhanded move effectively cut the New Mexican people out of the process, denying them a voice on this critical issue. It is shameful and embarrassing that our governor and our state House of Representatives wasted our time and taxpayers’ dollars re-fighting yesterday’s battles in the midst of today’s budget crisis. With the overwhelming support of New Mexico voters, the legislature abolished the outdated, costly, and ineffective practice of capital punishment in our state nearly eight years ago. Our state leaders should stop trying to distract from New Mexico’s pressing problems with red herrings like the death penalty and work to create real public safety and prosperity for New Mexico.”
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