Make Calls for Rodney Reed
We need to persuade Governor Greg Abbott, the Board of Pardons and Paroles, the Bastrop County District Attorney Brian Goertz, and other conservative elected officials to stay this execution, review all of the evidence that exonerates Rodney, and eventually grant him a new trial.
It's in their hands, but they have to know how much we care.
I need you to call ALL of the people. If you've never done this work with me before, we're kind and respectful when we call. Be firm and thorough. Be persistent, but be kind. People are more apt to respond to kindness than they will anger. Leave a message if you have to. Ask to be transferred to someone else if nobody is available.
And when you call, let them know that you are calling to advocate on behalf of Rodney Reed, an innocent man who has been wrongly convicted and sentenced to death on November 20th.
We have set up a tool that will connect you these influential people back-to-back. Each group of people has a slightly different role to play in the process. Here are the dial-in numbers for each group, and below are some pointers on what to say.
1. Call the governor, TBPP, DA Brian Goertz, and the TDCAA
Dial in to be connected: (512) 967-0567
You will be connected to each office back-to-back. For everyone you call, let them know that you are calling to advocate on behalf of Rodney Reed, an innocent man who has been wrongly convicted and sentenced to death on November 20th. Here are some specific things you should ask of this group:
First, ask Governor Gregg Abbott to grant Rodney clemency, to stop or delay Rodney’s execution. He has the sole discretion to do this as Governor.
Next, ask the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to recommend to the Governor that he do the right thing by stopping Rodney’s execution, delaying it, or granting him clemency.
Next, ask Bastrop County District Attorney Brian Goertz to withdraw his petition to execute Rodney on Nov. 20. As the DA in the jurisdiction of the original arrest, he has the responsibility to delay this execution so that new evidence can be heard.
Finally, when you are connected to the Texas District and County Attorneys Association, ask them to publicly support stopping, or delaying Rodney’s execution. As a group with influence over prosecutors state-wide, it’s their responsibility to be clear on this.
2. Call Governor Abbott’s Staff
Dial in to be connected: (512) 488-0698
This list is made up of the Governor’s most influential staff members. Each one of them needs to speak up to the Governor and demand that he do the right thing.
When you dial-in, you will be connected to each staffer’s office back-to-back. For each person in this group, let them know that you are calling to advocate on behalf of Rodney Reed, an innocent man who has been wrongly convicted and sentenced to death on November 20th. Ask them to tell the Governor that you called, and that he needs to stop or delay Rodney’s execution.
3. Call The Board Of Pardons and Paroles Staff & Members
Dial in to be connected: (737) 214-3944
This list is made up of the Administrative Staff and Members of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. The Board’s recommendation carries a lot of weight with the Governor, so we need to make sure that they hear from all of us and tell the Governor to do the right thing.
When you dial-in, you will be connected to each person’s office back-to-back. For each person in this group, let them know that you are calling to advocate on behalf of Rodney Reed, an innocent man who has been wrongly convicted and sentenced to death on November 20th. Ask them to tell the Governor that you called, and demand that the board make the right recommendation to the Governor.
Note: some of the numbers on this list are the same for more than one individual. Just remember to ask for the right person each time.
4. Call Texas Legislators
Dial in to be connected: (512) 641-4290
On Tuesday, November 5th, a bipartisan group of Representatives sent a letter to the Governor and the Board of Pardons and Paroles explaining why they must stop or delay this execution. You can find this letter here.
This list is made up of members of the Texas Legislature who have not signed on to this letter to publicly call on the Governor and the Board of Pardons and Paroles to stop or delay Rodney’s Execution.
When you dial in, you will be connected to each Representative’s office back-to-back. For each person in this group, let them know that you are calling to advocate on behalf of Rodney Reed, an innocent man who has been wrongly convicted and sentenced to death on November 20th. Ask them to publicly support the letter their colleagues signed, or to directly demand to the Governor and the Board of Pardons and Paroles do the right thing.
5. Call Members of the Texas District and county Attorneys association
Dial in to be connected: (770) 800-0689
The Texas District and Criminal Attorneys Association is a “non-profit organization dedicated to serving Texas prosecutors and their staffs,” On Tuesday, November 5th, the TDCAA falsely claimed the Rodney Reed is guilty of multiple rapes, and disparaged the people and groups demanding justice for Rodney publicly on Twitter.
When you dial in, you will be connected to each member’s office back-to-back. For each person in this group, let them know that you are calling to advocate on behalf of Rodney Reed, an innocent man who has been wrongly convicted and sentenced to death on November 20th. Demand that they publicly condemn the statements made by their organization on November 5th, and that they publicly support justice for Rodney Reed.