Just after 4am this morning, the Connecticut Senate voted 19 to 17 to repeal that state's death penalty. This follows the unexpectedly overwhelming 90-56 vote in the House last week. The bill is now on its way to the desk of Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell, who in media reports is saying that she still supports the death penalty and is suggesting that she may veto the bill.

If you live in Connecticut, please call and e-mail Governor Rell. If you live in others parts of the country, think about who you know living in Connecticut and forward this action request to them. Ask them to contact Governor Rell and tell her to "please sign the bill to repeal the death penalty in Connecticut" The phone is 860-566-4840. The email: Governor.Rell@ct.gov

Letters, blog posts, and comments expressing a similar sentiment on the web pages of Connecticut newspapers would be useful as well.

This vote represents another milestone for the abolition movement, demonstrating that the public and lawmakers alike are becoming convinced that the death penalty is a costly, unfair system that cannot be trusted to convict and sentence only the guilty.

Congratulations to the Connecticut Network to Abolish the Death Penalty for this stunning achievement.