Join the EPF Death Penalty Action Group here Group Conveners: Joyce Hardy (pjhardy51@comcast.net) and Colleen Cunningham (colleenc@ejusa.org)
This Action Group explores the topics of death penalty abolition, justice, and penal reform. We are presently working to create a network of resources and opportunities for public witness. Contact us with your suggestions and ideas and watch for monthly updates to this site.
TAKE ACTION:
Ask your church to ring the bell at 6:00pm on the night of an execution – no bell? there are other actions you can take: Get the Schedule HERE
Illinois State Senate Passed Legislation to End the Death Penalty HERE
Witness to Innocence:A professional speakers bureau of exonerated death row survivors.
These are the most influential voices out there in changing public opinion – hearts and minds – on the death penalty. Write to Kathy Spillman or call her and schedule a speaker now:Speakers Bureau Coordinator
Witness to Innocence (215) 471-7090) Visit there YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/witnesstoinnocence
What The Episcopal Church Says about Capitol Punishment:
1958 the General Convention of the Episcopal Church opposed capital punishment on a theological basis that the life of an individual is of infinite worth in the sight of Almighty God, and the taking of such a human life falls within the providence of Almighty God and not within the right of Man.
1979-D004 Reaffirm Opposition to Capital Punishment Concurred As Substituted and Amended The 66th General Convention reaffirms its opposition to capital punishment and calls on all dioceses and individual Church members to work actively to abolish the death penalty.
1991-D056 Reaffirm Opposition to Capital Punishment Concurred As Amended The 70th General Convention reaffirms its position opposing capital punishment. It deplores the expansion of capital offenses by federal legislative action and supports initiatives to establish alternatives to incarceration and to reduce recidivism.
2000-A082 Reaffirm Opposition to the Death Penalty and Call for a Moratorium Concurred as Amended The 73rd General Convention reaffirms its opposition to the death penalty and calls for a moratorium on the use of capital punishment.
2000-A083 Urge Parishes and Dioceses to Study the Death Penalty and Explore Reasons for Opposition Concurred as Substituted The 73rd General Convention urges parishes and dioceses to study the death penalty and explore the reason for the Church’s opposition.
A Moral Test for Maryland Legislators: Read Bishops Sutton (Baltimore) and Bishop Chane’s (Washington) op ed piece for The Washington Post on January 11, 2009 on the death penalty.
Below please find Resources, Suggestions about What You Can Do and Action Resources:
RESOURCES:
Death Penalty Information Center, based in Washington, D.C., this organization provides current information and analysis
of capital punishment issues
National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty founded in 1976, this organization serves its network of over 100 state and national affiliates. Up-to-date information and easy links to state groups
Amnesty International USA provides national and international information and encourages legislative action and advocacy
Murder Victims’ Families for Reconciliation founded in 1976, MVFR is a national organization of family members who have lost a loved one to murder or execution and who oppose the death penalty.
Citizens United for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (CUADP) organization that works to end the death penalty through education and the promotion of grassroots activism; has links to many other organizations
www.cuadp.org
Death Penalty Focus (DPF) large, California based organization with high profile advisory board
www.deathpenalty.org/
American Civil Liberties Union supports moratorium and repeal efforts through education and advocacy; involved in case-specific litigation
www.aclu.org/capital
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
1. educate yourself about the issues surrounding the death penalty (see resources below)
2. join with others in your state who are opposed to capital punishment (e.g. New Yorkers Against the Death Penalty; Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty)
3. contact your state and federal elected officials, click here for directory
4. invite your church to join For Whom The Bells Toll
5. ask to have the names of those scheduled to be executed, the victims and those participating in executions included in the Prayers of the People. Contact Campaign to End the Death Penalty (CEDP)
chapter based, grassroots organization; has a National Speakers Bureau
RESOURCES FOR ACTION:
For Whom The Bells Toll: a national initiative to encourage the tolling of church bells and prayer on the days executions take place
www.bells.curenational.org
Armband Protest Against the Death Penalty
offers free black armbands to wear on days that executions takes place
Death Row Support Project
a pen-friend program organized by the Church of the Brethren in 1978; offers the opportunity to write to someone on death row (contact co-convener Sue Bonsteel for more information)
Human Writes
an interesting site about a humanitarian program in the UK endorsed by the Anglican Church and the Archbishop of Canterbury and serving those on death row in the USA
Religious Organizing Against the Death Penalty
organization of national faith-based activists including Sr. Helen Prejean; working to create a national network among all faiths
www.deathpenaltyreligious.org
Equal Justice USA
organization working to mobilize and educate ordinary citizens throughout the country around issues of crime and punishment; working to create support for a more effective and humane public policy
