Gavin Newsom's Moral Imperative: Commute All of California's Death Sentences.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has the power to commute the sentences of the approximately 700 individuals on death row in the state, potentially setting in motion a movement towards the abolition of the death penalty in the United States. Newsom has publicly condemned the death penalty, citing its historical links to slavery and its disproportionate impact on marginalized groups. Former Oregon governor Kate Brown has set a precedent by commuting the sentences of all 17 people on her state's death row. However, Newsom's recent activities, including a visit to China, have led to speculation about his presidential ambitions and raised questions about his commitment to addressing the death penalty issue. The author argues that Newsom should take meaningful action to commute the death sentences rather than waiting for a shot at higher office. [Extracted from the article]