Vice President Kamala Harris’s decision to run for president raises many issues, one of which is her questionable stance on the death penalty.
On 24 September 2024, 55-year-old Marcellus Williams was executed after 20 years on death row despite objections from a prosecutor on the case as well as the victim’s family.
While Williams’ death sparked outrage among thousands globally, with some branding it a “modern-day lynching”, Harris has remained silent on the matter despite claiming to be against the death penalty.
When Officer Isaac Espinoza was shot in 2004, Harris, the then district attorney in San Francisco, refused to impose the death penalty on the man who murdered him despite strong public outcry.
Harris responded: “Let me say simply that there can be no exception to principle. I gave my word to the people of San Francisco that I oppose the death penalty, and I will honour that commitment despite the strong emotions evoked by this case.”
However, where was this strong opposition when Marcellus Williams was executed, even though there were questions about his murder conviction?
In a 2014 ruling, as Attorney General of California, Harris appealed against U.S. District Judge Cormac J. Carney’s decision that “the state’s death penalty to be unconstitutional”.
She stated: “I am appealing the court’s decision because it is not supported by the law, and it undermines important protections that our courts provide to defendants.”
This, again, stirred disbelief and confusion amongst the public, not expecting Harris – who so vehemently disagrees with the death penalty – to take action to defend it.
At the Democratic presidential debate in August 2019, Harris was called out on her contradictory death penalty history by Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who accused her of blocking crucial evidence that would have freed innocent people on death row.
Harris did not deny this accusation and instead stated: “My entire career, I have been opposed, personally opposed, to the death penalty, and that has never changed.”
Five years later, as the death of Marcellus Williams distressed masses across the globe, Harris’ silence spoke volumes. With such weak conviction on a matter that she “personally opposes,” what will this mean for the United States if Harris becomes the 47th president?
Main image by Gage Skidmore.