On January 25, 2024, Alabama conducted the first-ever execution by nitrogen gas. The execution was as painful as projected. The gas mask used during the execution was manufactured by Allegro Industries, a subsidiary of Walter Surface Technologies, owned by ONCAP, all of which refused to take a stand. We cannot stop demanding they do, as Alabama and other states look to expand the use of nitrogen gas for executions. Demand Allegro Industries pull its mask.

Over the past decade, the growing inaccessibility of lethal injection drugs and public outrage over brutally botched executions have moved some states to end or suspend the death penalty. But others, like Alabama, have begun exploring new execution protocols instead, including nitrogen suffocation. It’s appalling on its face, but especially since nitrogen suffocation is outlawed in the state for animal euthanasia. In fact, the United Nations warned that this execution method violates international human rights law.

Alabama cannot develop and implement this novel killing mechanism on its own. It needs the support of the private sector. Multiple corporations have supported the state in its plan, some knowingly and some likely unwittingly. Thanks to your action, over the past two years, workplace safety firm FDRsafety withdrew from their related contract with Alabama and gas supplier Airgas, subsidiary of Air Liquide, notified the state that their nitrogen could not be used for executions.

Join the continued call to stop corporations from any involvement in Alabama’s use of nitrogen suffocation. The death penalty is unethical, profiting off of it is morally incomprehensible.