Rihanna, Gigi Hadid & More Urge For Death Row Inmate Rodney Reed's Release
By Lauren Crawford
November 4, 2019
Entertainers, political activists, reality stars, and more have all taken to social media to urge the state of Texas to halt the planned execution of death row inmate Rodney Reed.
Reed, who has spent more than 21 years on death row for the 1996 murder of Stacey Stites in Bastrop, Texas, is accused of assaulting, raping and strangling Stites, but has always maintained his innocence.
Despite the fact that a recently filed affidavit allegedly proves that Reed was not the murderer, he is set to be executed on November 20, CNN reports. However, political commentator and activist Shaun King has made it his mission to get the now 51-year-old Reed released, spearheading a social media campaign, which includes an online petition, over the weekend, calling for Texas Governor Greg Abbott to stop Reed's execution.
Citing reasonable doubt, ignored evidence — which included recanted testimonies, ignored requests for the murder weapon to be tested for DNA, and multiple forensic experts saying "Reed’s guilt is medically and scientifically impossible" — and even an alleged confession from Stites' fiance Jimmy Fennel Jr. as proof of Reed's innocence, Shaun has called upon his famous friends and their fans to help in the freeing of a "free man."
This is an emergency! A true emergency.
— Shaun King (@shaunking) November 3, 2019
The State of Texas is about to execute an innocent man in 16 days.
Join our team, sign our petition, and let’s get ALL HANDS ON DECK.
Go to https://t.co/7Ty1Wyu29n ok? pic.twitter.com/fwoDmEOwwF
PLEASE @GovAbbott How can you execute a man when since his trial, substantial evidence that would exonerate Rodney Reed has come forward and even implicates the other person of interest. I URGE YOU TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) October 19, 2019
How insane!!!! New witness comes forward that Rodeny was NOT the murderer!!!! He is set to be executed Nov 20th. https://t.co/AgGcqVpjV6
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) October 31, 2019
Shaun hasn't been alone in his efforts to free Reed. Last month, Kim Kardashian asked Governor Abbott to intervene in the case and "do the right thing" for Reed. She additionally shared that a new witness has come forward on the record, stating that Reed "was NOT the murderer!!!!"
According to TMZ, "Kim spoke with Reed from death row just last week to discuss his scheduled killing on November 20." Sources told the outlet, "Kim's been working tirelessly behind the scenes to provide legal resources to Reed as he tries to get a stay of execution."
See all the celebs who have gotten behind the "Free Rodney Reed" movement below:
One Click!!! SIGN this petition if you don’t believe the Government should kill an innocent man!!! @GovAbbott https://t.co/L3xrvn7MJO
— Rihanna (@rihanna) November 4, 2019
I just signed this petition to tell @GovAbbott to stop the execution of Rodney Reed. You should too!!!#FreeRodneyReedhttps://t.co/HGwLatcE7S
— T.I. (@Tip) November 4, 2019
I just signed this petition to tell @GovAbbott to stop the execution of Rodney Reed. You can too! #FreeRodneyReed https://t.co/ELQ3MYq1RG
— Gigi Hadid (@GiGiHadid) November 4, 2019
I just signed this petition to tell @GovAbbott to stop the execution of Rodney Reed. You should too! #FreeRodneyReed https://t.co/WJlyD2TtpZ
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) November 4, 2019
— LLCOOLJ. (@llcoolj) November 4, 2019
I will never understand how we execute when we know it sometimes dooms innocent people. Click and sign and tell @GovAbbott to stop the execution of Rodney Reed. #FreeRodneyReed https://t.co/JXl65xcNHL
— Moshe Kasher (@moshekasher) November 4, 2019
The state of Texas will execute a man in 16 days who should be exonerated of the crime he’s accused of. Take the time to sign this petition for Rodney Reed. https://t.co/28fUW7ONoU
— Logan Browning (@LoganLaurice) November 4, 2019
Texas is scheduled to execute #RodneyReed on 11/20.
— A N G E L A | R Y E (@angela_rye) November 4, 2019
We must act now & fight for justice.
According to the @NAACP, Black people make up 13% of the population, yet make up 42% of death row & 35% of the executions.#FreeRodneyReed and sign the petition @ https://t.co/fZWsFQ2mfU! pic.twitter.com/cPdKtcb4EE
I just signed the petition to stop the execution of #RODNEYREED @Justice4Rodney Thank you shaunking for shining such a bright light on this situation where this brother will be executed in the next 16 days for a… https://t.co/8afYTBPuOn
— Busta Rhymes (@BustaRhymes) November 4, 2019
https://t.co/K0VINxHLAi don’t just read it actually follow the steps 🙏🏽
— Swae Lee Lee Swae (@SwaeLee) November 4, 2019
FREE RODNEY REED https://t.co/tSx7w5d2hg
— Eric Andre (@ericandre) November 4, 2019
Tell @GovAbbott to stop the execution of an innocent man in 2 weeks time!Take a moment to help Rodney Reed. #FreeRodneyReed https://t.co/JcGzbrRhfs
— Milla Jovovich (@MillaJovovich) November 4, 2019
And innocent man is scheduled to be EXECUTED in 15 days!!!! https://t.co/VMA0SLVHH9 PLEASE STOP WHQT YOURE DOING AND SIGN THIS PETITION!!! RT this! Tag everyone you know!!! We’re fighting for you Rodney! #FreeRodneyReed @KimKardashian please help!!!
— Masika Kalysha (@masikakalysha) November 4, 2019
Thank you to @DrPhil for doing two entire episodes on the grave injustice being experienced by Rodney Reed right now.
— Shaun King (@shaunking) November 4, 2019
He is scheduled to be executed in just days for a crime he did not commit.
Go NOW to https://t.co/7Ty1Wyu29n to sign our petition, join our team, learn more. pic.twitter.com/JjE4iDiVMa
“Without community, there is no liberation” - Audre Lorde
— Yara shahidi (@YaraShahidi) November 4, 2019
We must come together to prevent a gross injustice. Please sign and share #FreeRodneyReed https://t.co/XAV6MxEIP8
Photo: Getty Images