Jewish group protests against nitrogen hypoxia as method of execution

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The group Jews Against Gassing gathered on the steps of the Touro Synagogue to protest against the state’s plan to execute death row inmates using nitrogen hypoxia.

“We cannot stand silent while prisoners are executed in our names, using a method that echoes those horrors,” Aaron Bloch with the Jewish Federation of New Orleans said. “We stand here today to ask Governor Landry and the state of Louisiana to say no to gassing.”

Gov. Jeff Landry says the state has finalized its protocol for using nitrogen gas as an alternative method of execution alongside lethal injection.

Members of the Jewish community are now gathering to voice their opposition, drawing parallels to the atrocities of the holocaust.

“For us, the use of gassing for execution is not just another form of capital punishment, it is a painful echo of genocide,” Rabbi David Cohen–Henriquez said. “Nitrogen hypoxia involves forcing an inmate to suffocate by inhaling nitrogen gas through a face mask.”

The method was first used in January of last year when the state of Alabama executed 58-year-old Kenneth Smith. Despite claims it would be painless, witnesses reported Smith shook, convulsed and gasped for air for nearly 22 minutes until he was pronounced dead.

“For us, the use of gassing for execution is not just another form of capital punishment. It is a painful echo of genocide,” Rabbi Katie Bauman said.

The state of Louisiana has not carried out an execution since 2010. In recent years, states have had trouble obtaining drugs used for lethal injections, which is largely the reason for the introduction of nitrogen hypoxia.

“The historical association with this execution method is chilling and undeniable, eliciting a visceral response that evokes not justice but genocide,” Naomi Yavneh Klos with the Jews Against Gassing coalition said.

According to the Death Penalty Information Center, there are currently 63 people on death row in Louisiana.

Attorney General Liz Murrill says she expects at least four people on death row to be executed this year.

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