Kim Kardashian spoke out against the death penalty in a series of impassioned tweets Tuesday evening.
The 38-year-old reality star was responding to a recent decision by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who plans to sign a referendum Wednesday that will halt the execution of 737 people currently on death row.
Kardashian’s push for criminal reform began months ago when she met with President Trump to argue the case of Alice Marie Johnson. The 63-year-old grandmother—sentenced to life behind bars for non-violent drug charges—was granted clemency last June. Since then, Kardashian has kept up with several cases involving criminal reform.
Her latest crusade led her to Newsom, whom Kardashian said she met with while he was in the process of making his decision. “For the last year, I have immersed myself in learning about the criminal justice system,” Kardashian wrote. “I visited prisons, met with formerly incarcerated people, and helped with cases of individual injustice – including two death penalty cases.”
For the last year, I have immersed myself in learning about the criminal justice system. I visited prisons, met with formerly incarcerated people, and helped with cases of individual injustice – including two death penalty cases.
— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) March 13, 2019
“I have met with and am very supportive of Governor Newsom and his decision to help bring an end to the California Death Penalty,” she continued. “Racial bias and unfairness run deep throughout the justice system but especially when it comes to the death penalty.”
I have met with and am very supportive of Governor Newsom and his decision to help bring an end to the California Death Penalty. Racial bias and unfairness run deep throughout the justice system but especially when it comes to the death penalty.
— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) March 13, 2019
“We should not be okay with the risk that an innocent person could be executed. I hope we can turn toward better solutions that focus more on healing victims of trauma and prioritizing fairness and justice.”
And we should not be okay with the risk that an innocent person could be executed. I hope we can turn toward better solutions that focus more on healing victims of trauma and prioritizing fairness and justice.
— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) March 13, 2019
President Trump, Kardashian’s (literal) one-time ally in fighting inequality in the justice system, tweeted out his distaste for Newsom’s decision early Wednesday morning. “Defying voters, the Governor of California will halt all death penalty executions of 737 stone cold killers,” the president wrote. “Friends and families of the always forgotten VICTIMS are not thrilled, and neither am I!”
Defying voters, the Governor of California will halt all death penalty executions of 737 stone cold killers. Friends and families of the always forgotten VICTIMS are not thrilled, and neither am I!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 13, 2019
California has not executed an inmate since 2006, but it is still the state with the most populated death row—for now.
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H/T Daily Mail