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Memorial for Kendrick Simpson
Kendrick Simpson was a poet, a friend, a father, a grandfather, a son, and a loving community member. On February 12, 2026, Kendrick was executed by the state of Oklahoma. You can learn more about Kendrick here.
Kendrick’s life was marked by resilience, creativity, and a deep commitment to education and the arts. He was the first person in Oklahoma to earn his GED while on Death Row, and he excelled in several college courses, demonstrating his dedication to learning even in the most challenging circumstances.
During his time at Rose State, Kendrick published poetry in the 2024 and 2025 editions of the school’s literary journal, Pegasus. In 2024, he was a finalist for the James Axley Fiction and Poetry award for his poem, “Who Am I.” Kendrick also published a book of poetry, essays, and short stories written from Death Row, titled Sentenced to Speak: Ruminations of a Triggered Mind. He dedicated the sales of his book and any other donations to the creation of a writing award for a Department of Corrections student at Rose State, hoping to inspire others to find their voice through writing.
Please join us in honoring Kendrick’s memory at this memorial.
In Response to Sen. Jim Inhofe’s Proposed Legislation to Ban Same-Sex Marriages on Military Bases
The American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma released the following statement:
By Bryan Newell
ACLU of Oklahoma Selects Local Attorney as Legal Director
September 4, 2012
By Bryan Newell
ACLU Seeks Details on Automatic License Plate Readers in Massive Nationwide Request
Info
By Bryan Newell
Releasing Low-Risk Elderly Prisoners Would Save Billions of Dollars While Protecting Public Safety, ACLU Report Finds
By
Response to final passage of House Bill 3052
In response to the final passage of House Bill 3052 by the Oklahoma House of Representatives, the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma released the following statement:
May 2, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ryan Kiesel, Executive Director, ACLU of OK, 405.524.8511, rkiesel@acluok.org
“When HB 3052 was introduced earlier this session in the Oklahoma House of Represent
Unanimous Oklahoma Supreme Court Blocks Dangerous “Personhood” Initiative
ACLU and Women’s Health Advocates Had Filed Lawsuit to Protect Vital Health Services in Oklahoma
Oklahoma State Senate offers modest reforms to our broken criminal justice system and overincarceration crisis
In response to the passage of House Bill 3052 by the Oklahoma State Senate, the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma released the following statement:
April 26, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ryan Kiesel, Executive Director, ACLU of OK, 405.524.8511, rkiesel@acluok.org
“Before HB 3052 arrived in the Oklahoma State Senate it offered modest reforms to our broken
Oklahoma State Senate passes House Bill 2388, authorizing drug testing for applicants of TANF upon a finding of reasonable cause
The American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma released the following statement in response to the Oklahoma State Senate’s passage of House Bill 2388, authorizing drug test for applicants of TANF upon a finding of reasonable cause. The original version of the bill would have required ALL TANF applicants to submit to a drug test and would have required the applicant to pay for the drug test.
April 26, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ryan Kiesel, Executive Director, ACLU of OK, 405.524.8511, rkiesel@acluok.org
“We are pleased the Oklahoma Senate has
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