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NC Coalition for Alternatives to the Death Penalty

Committed to ending the death penalty and creating a new vision of justice

  • Who We Are
    • Mission & History
    • Our Values
    • People Most Proximate
    • Coalition Members
    • Staff, Board, & Advisory Council
    • Our Funders
  • What We Do
  • Why End the Death Penalty?
    • Column 1
      • Racism
      • Innocence
      • Intellectual Disability & Mental Illness
    • Column 2
      • Public Safety
      • High Cost of Death
      • Waning Support
    • Column 3
      • Lethal Injection
      • Antiquated Sentences
      • Unfair Trials
  • Events
  • The Pledge
  • Blog
  • Commutations Campaign
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Search NC Coalition for Alternatives to the Death Penalty

Lynda Simmons: Collage

Learn more: People Most Proximate: Our Creativity

The message for me is that life and loss changes us most profoundly from the inside out. Grief is not something we get over; it’s not a one and done. Grief becomes a part of who we are and we can never go back to who we were. Grief is indeed a monster at times but it’s also a friend, a teacher, a liberator… It’s a lifelong journey, and as time passes we are gifted with the beauty that comes from the ashes. We have to be mindful as we travel the often hard path of transformation, learning to appreciate the process and knowing there is grace sufficient for the journey. May we live peacefully, love freely and forgive faithfully… as we move forward into the years.

lynda simmons

On July 25, 2004, Lynda Simmons’ son, Brian Eddie Colletti, was murdered, which began for Lynda a life-altering journey that continues to this day. Within a firm spiritual foundation, Lynda reaches out to others, shares her own experiences, advocates for Restorative Justice, and assists crime victims in their own healing process. She works with those citizens who are, or have been, incarcerated, with the hope of transforming our communities into a more tolerant and safe space for all.

Filed Under: Creative Expressions, People Most Proximate

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Contact

NCCADP Alternate Logo
NCCADP
3326 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.
Building D, Suite 201
Durham, NC 27707
noel@nccadp.org
919-404-7409

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Florida has executed Richard Knight. He was the 14 Florida has executed Richard Knight. He was the 14th person executed in the US and the 7th person killed by Florida in 2026.

#RichardKnight #NoMoreDeathRow #EndTheDeathPenalty #Florida
Arizona has executed Leroy McGill. He was the 13th Arizona has executed Leroy McGill. He was the 13th person executed in the US and the 1st person killed by Arizona in 2026. 

#LeroyMcGill #NoMoreDeathRow #EndTheDeathPenalty #Arizona
So grateful for the volunteers who showed up for N So grateful for the volunteers who showed up for NCCADP at Second Chance Fest last weekend. 🧡

Huge thank you to Fredda Mangel, Naomi Moore, Carol Dalton, and Eileen McMinn for your time, energy, and commitment to this movement. Community like this is how change happens!
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