Abolish the Death Penalty
To end the death penalty and create a community of people who take action against the death penalty
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Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break, March 15-19, 2010
Rally and March to Save Jeff Wood: Austin August 16, 2008
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08.02.2010
Lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh is filled with rage over the treatment of her client, 20-year-old Arash Rahmanipour (pictured), who was not defended in court and then was quietly put to death.The defendant met with his lawyer once for 15 minutes before he was sentenced to death and hanged.
When the lawyer complained to authorities, they ignored her. When she tried to enter the courtroom where he was being tried, they threatened her with arrest. And when she spoke out publicly at what she described as a gross miscarriage of justice, they shut off her cellphone.
"Unfortunately, despite repeated warnings, you have kept contacts with counter-revolutionary media and for 2 months from today your cellphone will be cut off," read a text message she received.
Now lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh boils with rage and frustration. The case of 20-year-old Arash Rahmanipour, who was executed before dawn Jan. 28, haunts her.
"We, as defense lawyers of human rights, are under so much pressure and restrictions, and the noose around us is tightening and we are insulted and threatened so much and verbally abused," Sotoudeh, 46, said during an emotional interview in her Tehran office. "What makes me feel helpless, desperate and bitter is that our attempt to help our clients is doomed and in vain."
Iranian authorities executed Rahmanipour and Mohammad-Reza Ali-Zamani, 37, both alleged to be members of an outlawed monarchist group called the Kingdom Assembly, and sentenced nine others to death in late January in what many interpreted as a warning to protesters ahead of Thursday's commemorations of the Islamic Revolution.
Opposition leaders have vowed to turn the annual celebration into an anti-government demonstration, calling on supporters to take to the streets.
Rahmanipour was arrested in April, weeks before the disputed June presidential election and the mass protests that erupted afterward. Nonetheless, he was tried during the mass court proceedings against opposition supporters last fall and sentenced to death on charges of being a mohareb, someone who takes up arms against God.
Rahmanipour was a troubled young man from a poor family in the south Tehran district of Shahpour, said Sotoudeh.
His parents were divorced or separated, and his father at one point had a substance abuse problem, she said.
The lawyer said she was not allowed to attend any of Rahmanipour's court sessions, including a televised one in August when he confessed to being a member of the Kingdom Assembly. That was the day, she said, she was threatened with arrest.
Nor was Sotoudeh allowed to see any evidence of her client's guilt. The conviction, she said, was based on a coerced confession that he had tried several years earlier to make explosives, as well as intelligence that she had no opportunity to assess or refute.
"I cannot question the intelligence agent in the court who has created the dossier for my client," she said. "Even if I could have a dialogue with the intelligence agent, it would be futile because the agent of the Intelligence Ministry is getting orders from other" security organizations.
She finally had a chance to meet her client in a room of Ward 2A of Tehran's Evin Prison in October. They had no more than 15 minutes. The distraught young man hurriedly told Sotoudeh that he had made the explosives confession after interrogators sat his pregnant sister in front of him. If he wanted his sister released, her client was told, he had to admit to whatever they asked.
He signed the confession. His sister was later released, though she suffered a late-term miscarriage.
Now Rahmanipour confided to his lawyer that he was afraid for his life. Prosecutors had inserted the word mohareb in the indictment against him, punishable by death.
Despite the assurances of his interrogators that he'd be let off with a light jail term, Rahmanipour was sentenced to death.
After the sentence was read out in court, Rahmanipour pulled himself together, Sotoudeh said. He wrote a letter to his father, Davoud, describing himself as Arash the Archer, a character from Persian legend, who stretched the string of his bow to send an arrow to the farthest distance, sacrificing himself for his nation.
Immediately after an appeals court upheld the conviction 3 months later, he was executed.
A reporter called her at 9 a.m. that day, a Thursday, to ask her reaction.
"I was tongue-tied," she said. "Words cannot express my shock. I could not believe it.
"The death sentence was too much. I thought at least Arash's death sentence would be appealed and he would be granted clemency. I thought they would have mercy for Arash's age."
At noon, Rahmanipour's father called Sotoudeh. To her surprise, he spoke hopefully about visiting his son that day. They had spoken Monday, and Rahmanipour had told him he'd be allowed to see his parents on Thursday.
He had no idea that his son had been executed hours earlier.
Source: Los Angeles Times, Feb. 8, 2010
Arash Rahmanipour’s family under pressure
Arash Rahmanipour’s family was pressured not to hold a funeral and memorial service for their recently executed son. They have also been told to avoid talking publicly [about the pressures].
According to Neday-e Sabz Azadi News Agency, the Intelligence Guards did not allow Arash’s family to place a ‘hejle’ (a monument consisting of a mirror and lights for those who die young) for their son in front of their home. His family has also been banned from holding any type of ceremony.
19 year-old Arash Rahmanipour was arrested in April 2009 and was sentenced to death in the second show trial for those who were being accused of protesting against the election. His execution took place without prior notice given to his family or lawyer.
Source: Persian2English, Feb. 7, 2010It's not about what they did. It's about what we do.
07.02.2010
First of all, thank you to all who are forwarding and promoting the support note for Hank's Clemency Petition; please continue to do so! Both petitions (commutation and reprieve) as well as three statements attached to the petitions can be downloaded in the "legal documents" section of the website.
Hank sent a 5-page letter to the Gray County D.A. Lynn Switzer with a number of exhibits, which was received by her office on January 27th 2010.
Those documents can be downloaded in the "legal documents" section - "DNA Issue" paragraph on the website.
Please take the time to read the letter, the exhibits document all the points and statements made by Hank in his letter. As you will understand from his letter, Hank is asking the D.A. to put the execution warrant on hold, to grant him a 120-day reprieve and order the DNA testing.
It is important to support him in this vital attempt. Of course the purpose is NOT to write to the D.A. and attack her for what she hasn't done or should have done. What needs to be emphasized is that justice calls for the truth and the untested evidence is crucial to prove his innocence. Her position as D.A. is to ensure that justice is served and not to allow the execution of an innocent man when so many issues remain unresolved just a few weeks from his execution date.
You can send your letters with reference "Hank Skinner - Execution Date February 24, 2010" to:
Ms. Lynn SwitzerDistrict AttorneyGray County CourthousePampa TX 79065
For more impact, you may consider copying your letter to a local media of your choice and also to enclose a copy of Hank's letter as well. If you do so, make sure you include the information after your signature; ie: cc. Houston Chronicle (whathever newpaper you choose).
http://www.hankskinner.org/ It's not about what they did. It's about what we do.
Hank sent a 5-page letter to the Gray County D.A. Lynn Switzer with a number of exhibits, which was received by her office on January 27th 2010.
Those documents can be downloaded in the "legal documents" section - "DNA Issue" paragraph on the website.
Please take the time to read the letter, the exhibits document all the points and statements made by Hank in his letter. As you will understand from his letter, Hank is asking the D.A. to put the execution warrant on hold, to grant him a 120-day reprieve and order the DNA testing.
It is important to support him in this vital attempt. Of course the purpose is NOT to write to the D.A. and attack her for what she hasn't done or should have done. What needs to be emphasized is that justice calls for the truth and the untested evidence is crucial to prove his innocence. Her position as D.A. is to ensure that justice is served and not to allow the execution of an innocent man when so many issues remain unresolved just a few weeks from his execution date.
You can send your letters with reference "Hank Skinner - Execution Date February 24, 2010" to:
Ms. Lynn SwitzerDistrict AttorneyGray County CourthousePampa TX 79065
For more impact, you may consider copying your letter to a local media of your choice and also to enclose a copy of Hank's letter as well. If you do so, make sure you include the information after your signature; ie: cc. Houston Chronicle (whathever newpaper you choose).
http://www.hankskinner.org/ It's not about what they did. It's about what we do.
07.02.2010
The percentage of people in favor of the death penalty has reached a record high, with 85.6 % of survey respondents saying capital punishment is "unavoidable," according to a government poll released Saturday.
The highest percentage since the government began the surveys in 1994 indicates the public is seeking strict punishment for heinous crimes following a spate of such incidents, including a stabbing rampage in Tokyo's Akihabara district in 2008.
About 55 % of respondents described the extension of the statute of limitations for capital crimes, including murder, to 25 years from 15 years in 2005 under the revised Code of Criminal Procedure, as "too short."
Of those who said the period is too short, 49.3 % said the statute of limitations should be abolished, according to the survey. The proportion of respondents in favor of the death penalty rose by 4.2 % points from the previous survey in 2004, indicating that the number of people who hold such a view has been steadily increasing since posting 73.8 % in the 1st survey.
Only 5.7 % said the death penalty should be abolished, down 0.3 point from the 2004 poll.
In expressing their preference for execution, 54.1 % said the feelings of victims and their families would not be satisfied if the death penalty were abolished, while 53.2 % said perpetrators of heinous crimes should pay for their crimes with their lives.
In addition, 51.5 % said they believe the number of such crimes would increase if the death penalty were abolished.
Of the respondents who said execution should be abolished, 55.9 % said the perpetrators should be kept alive to pay for their crimes, while 43.2 % said miscarriages of justice would be irrevocable if the death sentence were carried out.
In a related development, an advisory body to the justice minister proposed in January the abolition of the statute of limitations for crimes whose maximum penalty is the death sentence.
The Legislative Council will report its proposals to the justice minister shortly, and a bill to revise the Code of Criminal Procedure is expected to be submitted to the ongoing Diet session.
In the survey, respondents were allowed to give multiple answers to why they are in favor of the death penalty, seek the abolition of capital punishment and think the period of the statute of limitation for capital crimes is too short.
Source: Japan Times, Feb. 7, 2010It's not about what they did. It's about what we do.
The highest percentage since the government began the surveys in 1994 indicates the public is seeking strict punishment for heinous crimes following a spate of such incidents, including a stabbing rampage in Tokyo's Akihabara district in 2008.
About 55 % of respondents described the extension of the statute of limitations for capital crimes, including murder, to 25 years from 15 years in 2005 under the revised Code of Criminal Procedure, as "too short."
Of those who said the period is too short, 49.3 % said the statute of limitations should be abolished, according to the survey. The proportion of respondents in favor of the death penalty rose by 4.2 % points from the previous survey in 2004, indicating that the number of people who hold such a view has been steadily increasing since posting 73.8 % in the 1st survey.
Only 5.7 % said the death penalty should be abolished, down 0.3 point from the 2004 poll.
In expressing their preference for execution, 54.1 % said the feelings of victims and their families would not be satisfied if the death penalty were abolished, while 53.2 % said perpetrators of heinous crimes should pay for their crimes with their lives.
In addition, 51.5 % said they believe the number of such crimes would increase if the death penalty were abolished.
Of the respondents who said execution should be abolished, 55.9 % said the perpetrators should be kept alive to pay for their crimes, while 43.2 % said miscarriages of justice would be irrevocable if the death sentence were carried out.
In a related development, an advisory body to the justice minister proposed in January the abolition of the statute of limitations for crimes whose maximum penalty is the death sentence.
The Legislative Council will report its proposals to the justice minister shortly, and a bill to revise the Code of Criminal Procedure is expected to be submitted to the ongoing Diet session.
In the survey, respondents were allowed to give multiple answers to why they are in favor of the death penalty, seek the abolition of capital punishment and think the period of the statute of limitation for capital crimes is too short.
Source: Japan Times, Feb. 7, 2010It's not about what they did. It's about what we do.
05.02.2010
After a relative lull in the number of executions Ohio carries out annually, it appears poised to sharply increase lethal injections in the months to come, possibly setting a state record for most in a year.
The state executed condemned killer Mark Brown on Thursday, the third execution in as many months and one of nine scheduled for this year.
Ohio put seven people to death in 2004, a record for the state and second in the nation behind Texas, and executed four last year. It executed two people in each of the two previous years.
Brown, 37, had been sentenced to die for killing a Youngstown store owner in a 1994 shooting that mimicked a scene from the Samuel L. Jackson movie "Menace II Society." He was pronounced dead Thursday morning from a dose of a powerful anesthetic under the state's new injection procedure, with death coming about nine minutes after the drug began flowing.
The state recently switched from a three-drug lethal-injection process, which opponents said could cause severe pain, to the one-drug system.
Though Brown had challenged the qualifications of Ohio's executioners and alleged the procedure could cause severe pain as execution team members tried to find a vein, his death was quick and almost problem-free.
Three months ago, the country had never put someone to death with just one drug. Brown's execution was Ohio's third use of the procedure, and in each case death came in just a few minutes. However, it did take executioners about 30 minutes to insert needles in the arm of condemned inmate Kenneth Biros in December before beginning his execution for killing a woman he met at a bar.
Ohio is the only one of 35 death penalty states to use one drug, though other states are watching Ohio's experience.
Brown did not give a last statement. After the dose of thiopental sodium was administered at 10:40 a.m., he blinked several times, closed and opened his eyes and swallowed once before shutting his eyes a last time. At 10:42 a.m., his chest heaved, he appeared to yawn, his chest rose and dropped slightly several more times, then he fell still.
Federal lawsuits allege Ohio's execution team isn't properly trained, but the procedure went as smoothly Thursday as any execution in recent memory. Members of the team easily inserted needles in Brown's arms in about five minutes, sticking him just once on each arm.
Relatives of the store owner Brown killed, Isam Salman, witnessed the execution.
"As sad as this may be, and it's very sad, justice has been served," sister Terri Rasul said afterward. "I just hope that this is a lesson for the young children today that they will learn not to do what Mark Brown had did to my brother."
Brown also killed a store clerk, and he received a life prison term for that. He said he shot the clerk but didn't remember shooting the store owner.
Last month, he argued unsuccessfully for a new trial, saying witnesses could testify that his friend shot the store owner. A judge said the witnesses weren't credible.
The Ohio Parole Board rejected Brown's request for mercy last month.
Source: AP, Feb. 5, 2010It's not about what they did. It's about what we do.
The state executed condemned killer Mark Brown on Thursday, the third execution in as many months and one of nine scheduled for this year.
Ohio put seven people to death in 2004, a record for the state and second in the nation behind Texas, and executed four last year. It executed two people in each of the two previous years.
Brown, 37, had been sentenced to die for killing a Youngstown store owner in a 1994 shooting that mimicked a scene from the Samuel L. Jackson movie "Menace II Society." He was pronounced dead Thursday morning from a dose of a powerful anesthetic under the state's new injection procedure, with death coming about nine minutes after the drug began flowing.
The state recently switched from a three-drug lethal-injection process, which opponents said could cause severe pain, to the one-drug system.
Though Brown had challenged the qualifications of Ohio's executioners and alleged the procedure could cause severe pain as execution team members tried to find a vein, his death was quick and almost problem-free.
Three months ago, the country had never put someone to death with just one drug. Brown's execution was Ohio's third use of the procedure, and in each case death came in just a few minutes. However, it did take executioners about 30 minutes to insert needles in the arm of condemned inmate Kenneth Biros in December before beginning his execution for killing a woman he met at a bar.
Ohio is the only one of 35 death penalty states to use one drug, though other states are watching Ohio's experience.
Brown did not give a last statement. After the dose of thiopental sodium was administered at 10:40 a.m., he blinked several times, closed and opened his eyes and swallowed once before shutting his eyes a last time. At 10:42 a.m., his chest heaved, he appeared to yawn, his chest rose and dropped slightly several more times, then he fell still.
Federal lawsuits allege Ohio's execution team isn't properly trained, but the procedure went as smoothly Thursday as any execution in recent memory. Members of the team easily inserted needles in Brown's arms in about five minutes, sticking him just once on each arm.
Relatives of the store owner Brown killed, Isam Salman, witnessed the execution.
"As sad as this may be, and it's very sad, justice has been served," sister Terri Rasul said afterward. "I just hope that this is a lesson for the young children today that they will learn not to do what Mark Brown had did to my brother."
Brown also killed a store clerk, and he received a life prison term for that. He said he shot the clerk but didn't remember shooting the store owner.
Last month, he argued unsuccessfully for a new trial, saying witnesses could testify that his friend shot the store owner. A judge said the witnesses weren't credible.
The Ohio Parole Board rejected Brown's request for mercy last month.
Source: AP, Feb. 5, 2010It's not about what they did. It's about what we do.
05.02.2010
According to a recent report by the International Committee Against Executions (ICAE), the Islamic Republic prevents the names of political prisoners at risk of execution from being released. According to the research team of the ICAE, 56 political prisoners are currently at risk of execution by the Islamic Republic.The list includes 21 people from Kurdistan, 12 people from Sistan and Baluchestan, 12 people from Ahvaz, and 11 people from Tehran.
The ICAE ask the families and supporters of political prisoners to send any additional information and details of political prisoners sentenced to death.
Contact addresses are as follows:
E-mail: farshadhoseini@gmail.com OR MinaAhadi@aol.com
Phone: Farshad Hosseini: 0031681285184 0031681285184 OR Mina Ahadi: 00491775692413 00491775692413
The ICAE calls on all institutions, political parties, and human rights organizations around the world to stand firm against executions in Iran and to protest by various means.
Clik here to display the names of the political prisoners sentenced to death.
Source: Persian2English, Feb. 5, 2010It's not about what they did. It's about what we do.
Blog
06.02.2010, Scott Cobb, 0 Comments
http://springbreakalternative.org/deathpenalty
Here is the schedule, subject to minor changes to time slots for workshops, of the 2010 Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break. Looks pretty amazing! Register now for housing before all the rooms are taken. All events are open to the public of all ages, but the housing is reserved for young people.
Register for the Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break and help us send forth some of those tiny ripples of hope in the river of change that will cross each other for years from a million different centers of energy and daring to build the current which will sweep down even the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.
(This is the tentative schedule. Times and topics of sessions may change.)
Monday, March 15 (room to be announced on campus of The University of Texas at Austin)
· Afternoon: Housing check-in for people who have signed up for housing.
· 4:30-5 PM: Introduction to the Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break
· 5:00-6:00 PM "Overview of the Death Penalty Issue" with Brian Evans from Washington, D.C. office of Amnesty International USA’s Death Penalty Abolition Campaign
· 6- 6:30 “Live from Death Row” - Telephone Call from a person on death row, organized by Campaign to End the Death Penalty – Austin Chapter
· 6:30- 7 PM Snacks and socializing
· 7:00- 8:15 PM Panel discussion with death row exonerees Shujaa Graham (3 years on California death row) and Perry Cobb (8 years on Illinois death row), plus family members of people on death row, Delia Perez Meyer, Terri Been and Crystal Halprin. Delia’s brother Louis Perez is on Texas Death Row. Terri’s brother Jeff Wood is on Texas Death Row. Crystal’s husband Randy Halprin is on Texas Death Row. The Law of Parties will be one topic covered by Terri and Crystal.
· Evening Time on your own for enjoying Austin, including the SXSW film festival.
Tuesday, March 16 Issues Day (room at UT)
· Noon to 1 PM “Mental Illness and the Death Penalty”, presented by Susannah Sheffer of Murder Victims' Families for Human Rights. “Prevention, Not Execution”. Read background report: "DOUBLE TRAGEDIES: Victims Speak Out Against the Death Penalty for People with Severe Mental Illness"
· 1- 2 PM: “Religious Views of the Death Penalty” presented by Steven Crimaldi, National Director of Dead Man Walking School Theater Project. Steven will also explain how students can get involved by doing a production of the play at their schools or in their communities.
· 2:15-2:30 Break
· 2:30-3:30 Mary K. Poirier, mitigation specialist from The McCallister Law Firm. Mary will discuss her work on capital trials in Texas and elsewhere and how activists can work with legal teams. A good mitigation specialist can save someone from being sentenced to death.
· 3:30-3:45 Break
· 3:45- 5:00 PM Bill Pelke, president of Journeyof Hope … From Violence to Healing” will present clips of a film of the work of Journey of Hope ... From Violence to Healing. The film documents family members of murder victims speaking out against the death penalty. Also, we will introduce and hear comments from two death row exonerees who will arrive on Tuesday: Ron Keine (almost 2 years on death row in New Mexico) and Curtis McCarty (19 years on death row in Oklahoma).
· 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Petition Signature Gathering Competition: We will divide into teams and fan out throughout Austin to collect signatures on a petition against the death penalty. People can collect signatures at places such as where SXSW events are taking place such as the convention center, outside certain bookstores or other stores if they allow it, on the streets in downtown Austin and wherever else the teams want to try. The team that collects the most petition signatures (with names, addresses, email addresses and possibly phone numbers) will win a prize of $100.
· Evening Free time on your own for enjoying Austin
Wednesday, March 17 Training Day
· Noon - 1:00 Media Workshop with Pedro de la Torre III of Campus Progress.Workshop will give tips on communicating effectively with reporters, writing press releases, organizing press conferences and other topics.
· 1:00 - 2:00 PM Lobbying Workshop in preparation for next day's lobbying at capitol, with Alison Brock, Chief of Staff to Texas State Representative Sylvester Turner.
· 2:00 - 2:15 Break
· 2:15 - 3:15 “Art and Activism” with John Holbrook, photographer of Texas death row, whose work has been exhibited internationally and at the Texas Capitol. A selection of John's photographs and other death penalty-themed artworks will be on display.
· 3:15 - 3:30 Break
· 3:30 - 4:30 PM Campus Organizing and Coalition Building Workshop with Pedro de la Torre III of Campus Progress. There’s so much more to working in coalition than inviting people to join you in your efforts. It’s hard work and requires skill, understanding and strategy, but the rewards for you, your partners, and your cause are endless (and fun!). Learn the importance of working in coalition, how to identify allies, how to engage non-traditional partners, where coalition building fits in with your campaign plan, and why it might be just what you need to take your issue campaign to the next level.
· 4:30- 5 PM Discussion of next day's press conference, lobbying visits and rally.
· Dinner break (on your own)
· 7:00 Screen Printing Workshop with Garry Spitzer of CEDP, plus sign-making session for next day's rally. Screen printing is a method of applying images to signs and t-shirts.
· Free Time to enjoy Austin
Thursday, March 18: Lobby Day and Justice Rally
· 11 AM - Press conference in Texas House Speaker's Committee Room at Texas Capitol (Press conference will be organized, moderated and run by students from spring break).
· 12:30- 2:00 Death Penalty Panel with Four Exonerated Former Death Row Inmates and Bill Pelke - President of Journey of Hope ... From Violence to Healing. Location: Committee Room in the Texas State Capitol.
Panelists:
Shujaa Graham, who spent 3 years of his life on California's death-row for a crime he did not commit.
Curtis McCarty, who spent 19 years of his life on Oklahoma's death-row for a crime he did not commit.
Ron Keine, who spent almost two years on death row in New Mexico for a crime he did not commit.
Perry Cobb, who spent 8 years on death row in Illinois for a crime he did not commit.
Bill Pelke, president of Journey of Hope … From Violence to Healing and former Chairman of the Board of the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. Bill authored a book entitled "Journey of Hope...From Violence to Healing", which details the May14, 1985 murder of his grandmother Ruth Pelke, a Bible teacher, by four teenage girls. He shares his story of forgiveness and healing, and how he came to realize that he did not need to see someone else die in order to heal from his grandmother's death. He also helps organize Journey tours nationally and abroad. Bill has traveled to over forty states and ten countries with the Journey of Hope and has told his story over 5,000 times.
· 2:00 - 2:30 Break
· 2:30 - 3:15 PM Screening of 17-minute film about Todd Willingham and how Rick Perry recently shook-up the Texas Forensic Science Commission, followed by a discussion with filmmaker Joshua Riehl.
· 3:30 - 4:45 Lobbying Visits with legislators and/or their aides.
· 4:45 - 5:30 Set up for Justice Rally
· 5:30 - 7:30 Justice Rally on the South Steps of the Texas Capitol
Rally Speakers include death row exonerees Shujaa Graham, Ron Keine, Perry Cobb and Curtis McCarty; Bill Pelke, president of Journey of Hope and past chair of the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty; students participating in Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break; representatives of Clinton Young; a representative of the Campaign to End the Death Penalty; Gloria Rubac of the Texas Death Penalty Abolition Movement; Delia Meyer-Perez, whose brother Louis Castro Perez is on death row; and others.
· After Rally: Last Supper. Food and discussion of the rally as well as the entire spring break. We will go to a restaurant (everyone buys their own meal and drinks). Fill out feedback forms.
Friday, March 19: Fun Day on your own in Austin.
This is Spring Break, so today we will have some fun and take a break after all the hard work we have done all week. Everyone is free to choose their own activities. Some things people could do are: Go swimming at Barton Springs Pool, attend a SXSW film or music event, go shopping, take a Segway tour of Austin, go jogging around Town Lake, go bike riding, visit a museum or do something else. Some of these activities cost money, so plan accordingly.
Here is the schedule, subject to minor changes to time slots for workshops, of the 2010 Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break. Looks pretty amazing! Register now for housing before all the rooms are taken. All events are open to the public of all ages, but the housing is reserved for young people.
Register for the Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break and help us send forth some of those tiny ripples of hope in the river of change that will cross each other for years from a million different centers of energy and daring to build the current which will sweep down even the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.
(This is the tentative schedule. Times and topics of sessions may change.)
Monday, March 15 (room to be announced on campus of The University of Texas at Austin)
· Afternoon: Housing check-in for people who have signed up for housing.
· 4:30-5 PM: Introduction to the Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break
· 5:00-6:00 PM "Overview of the Death Penalty Issue" with Brian Evans from Washington, D.C. office of Amnesty International USA’s Death Penalty Abolition Campaign
· 6- 6:30 “Live from Death Row” - Telephone Call from a person on death row, organized by Campaign to End the Death Penalty – Austin Chapter
· 6:30- 7 PM Snacks and socializing
· 7:00- 8:15 PM Panel discussion with death row exonerees Shujaa Graham (3 years on California death row) and Perry Cobb (8 years on Illinois death row), plus family members of people on death row, Delia Perez Meyer, Terri Been and Crystal Halprin. Delia’s brother Louis Perez is on Texas Death Row. Terri’s brother Jeff Wood is on Texas Death Row. Crystal’s husband Randy Halprin is on Texas Death Row. The Law of Parties will be one topic covered by Terri and Crystal.
· Evening Time on your own for enjoying Austin, including the SXSW film festival.
Tuesday, March 16 Issues Day (room at UT)
· Noon to 1 PM “Mental Illness and the Death Penalty”, presented by Susannah Sheffer of Murder Victims' Families for Human Rights. “Prevention, Not Execution”. Read background report: "DOUBLE TRAGEDIES: Victims Speak Out Against the Death Penalty for People with Severe Mental Illness"
· 1- 2 PM: “Religious Views of the Death Penalty” presented by Steven Crimaldi, National Director of Dead Man Walking School Theater Project. Steven will also explain how students can get involved by doing a production of the play at their schools or in their communities.
· 2:15-2:30 Break
· 2:30-3:30 Mary K. Poirier, mitigation specialist from The McCallister Law Firm. Mary will discuss her work on capital trials in Texas and elsewhere and how activists can work with legal teams. A good mitigation specialist can save someone from being sentenced to death.
· 3:30-3:45 Break
· 3:45- 5:00 PM Bill Pelke, president of Journeyof Hope … From Violence to Healing” will present clips of a film of the work of Journey of Hope ... From Violence to Healing. The film documents family members of murder victims speaking out against the death penalty. Also, we will introduce and hear comments from two death row exonerees who will arrive on Tuesday: Ron Keine (almost 2 years on death row in New Mexico) and Curtis McCarty (19 years on death row in Oklahoma).
· 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Petition Signature Gathering Competition: We will divide into teams and fan out throughout Austin to collect signatures on a petition against the death penalty. People can collect signatures at places such as where SXSW events are taking place such as the convention center, outside certain bookstores or other stores if they allow it, on the streets in downtown Austin and wherever else the teams want to try. The team that collects the most petition signatures (with names, addresses, email addresses and possibly phone numbers) will win a prize of $100.
· Evening Free time on your own for enjoying Austin
Wednesday, March 17 Training Day
· Noon - 1:00 Media Workshop with Pedro de la Torre III of Campus Progress.Workshop will give tips on communicating effectively with reporters, writing press releases, organizing press conferences and other topics.
· 1:00 - 2:00 PM Lobbying Workshop in preparation for next day's lobbying at capitol, with Alison Brock, Chief of Staff to Texas State Representative Sylvester Turner.
· 2:00 - 2:15 Break
· 2:15 - 3:15 “Art and Activism” with John Holbrook, photographer of Texas death row, whose work has been exhibited internationally and at the Texas Capitol. A selection of John's photographs and other death penalty-themed artworks will be on display.
· 3:15 - 3:30 Break
· 3:30 - 4:30 PM Campus Organizing and Coalition Building Workshop with Pedro de la Torre III of Campus Progress. There’s so much more to working in coalition than inviting people to join you in your efforts. It’s hard work and requires skill, understanding and strategy, but the rewards for you, your partners, and your cause are endless (and fun!). Learn the importance of working in coalition, how to identify allies, how to engage non-traditional partners, where coalition building fits in with your campaign plan, and why it might be just what you need to take your issue campaign to the next level.
· 4:30- 5 PM Discussion of next day's press conference, lobbying visits and rally.
· Dinner break (on your own)
· 7:00 Screen Printing Workshop with Garry Spitzer of CEDP, plus sign-making session for next day's rally. Screen printing is a method of applying images to signs and t-shirts.
· Free Time to enjoy Austin
Thursday, March 18: Lobby Day and Justice Rally
· 11 AM - Press conference in Texas House Speaker's Committee Room at Texas Capitol (Press conference will be organized, moderated and run by students from spring break).
· 12:30- 2:00 Death Penalty Panel with Four Exonerated Former Death Row Inmates and Bill Pelke - President of Journey of Hope ... From Violence to Healing. Location: Committee Room in the Texas State Capitol.
Panelists:
Shujaa Graham, who spent 3 years of his life on California's death-row for a crime he did not commit.
Curtis McCarty, who spent 19 years of his life on Oklahoma's death-row for a crime he did not commit.
Ron Keine, who spent almost two years on death row in New Mexico for a crime he did not commit.
Perry Cobb, who spent 8 years on death row in Illinois for a crime he did not commit.
Bill Pelke, president of Journey of Hope … From Violence to Healing and former Chairman of the Board of the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. Bill authored a book entitled "Journey of Hope...From Violence to Healing", which details the May14, 1985 murder of his grandmother Ruth Pelke, a Bible teacher, by four teenage girls. He shares his story of forgiveness and healing, and how he came to realize that he did not need to see someone else die in order to heal from his grandmother's death. He also helps organize Journey tours nationally and abroad. Bill has traveled to over forty states and ten countries with the Journey of Hope and has told his story over 5,000 times.
· 2:00 - 2:30 Break
· 2:30 - 3:15 PM Screening of 17-minute film about Todd Willingham and how Rick Perry recently shook-up the Texas Forensic Science Commission, followed by a discussion with filmmaker Joshua Riehl.
· 3:30 - 4:45 Lobbying Visits with legislators and/or their aides.
· 4:45 - 5:30 Set up for Justice Rally
· 5:30 - 7:30 Justice Rally on the South Steps of the Texas Capitol
Rally Speakers include death row exonerees Shujaa Graham, Ron Keine, Perry Cobb and Curtis McCarty; Bill Pelke, president of Journey of Hope and past chair of the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty; students participating in Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break; representatives of Clinton Young; a representative of the Campaign to End the Death Penalty; Gloria Rubac of the Texas Death Penalty Abolition Movement; Delia Meyer-Perez, whose brother Louis Castro Perez is on death row; and others.
· After Rally: Last Supper. Food and discussion of the rally as well as the entire spring break. We will go to a restaurant (everyone buys their own meal and drinks). Fill out feedback forms.
Friday, March 19: Fun Day on your own in Austin.
This is Spring Break, so today we will have some fun and take a break after all the hard work we have done all week. Everyone is free to choose their own activities. Some things people could do are: Go swimming at Barton Springs Pool, attend a SXSW film or music event, go shopping, take a Segway tour of Austin, go jogging around Town Lake, go bike riding, visit a museum or do something else. Some of these activities cost money, so plan accordingly.
06.02.2010, Scott Cobb, 0 Comments
First of all, thank you to all who are forwarding and promoting the support note for Hank's Clemency Petition; please continue to do so! Both petitions (commutation and reprieve) as well as three statements attached to the petitions can be dowloaded in the "legal documents" section of the webiste.
Hank sent a 5-page letter to the Gray County D.A. Lynn Switzer with a number of exhibits, which was received by her office on January 27th 2010.
Those documents can be downloaded in the "legal documents" section - "DNA Issue" paragraph on the website.
Please take the time to read the letter, the exhibits document all the points and statements made by Hank in his letter.
As you will understand from his letter, Hank is asking the D.A. to put the execution warrant on hold, to grant him a 120-day reprieve and order the DNA testing.
It is important to support him in this vital attempt. Of course the purpose is NOT to write to the D.A. and attack her for what she hasn't done or should have done. What needs to be emphasized is that justice calls for the truth and the untested evidence is crucial to prove his innocence. Her position as D.A. is to ensure that justice is served and not to allow the execution of an innocent man when so many issues remain unresolved just a few weeks from his execution date.
You can send your letters with reference "Hank Skinner - Execution Date February 24, 2010" to:
Ms. Lynn Switzer
District Attorney
Gray County Courthouse
Pampa TX 79065
For more impact, you may consider copying your letter to a local media of your choice and also to enclose a copy of Hank's letter as well. If you do so, make sure you include the information after your signature; ie: cc. Houston Chronicle (whathever newpaper you choose).
http://www.hankskinner.org
Hank sent a 5-page letter to the Gray County D.A. Lynn Switzer with a number of exhibits, which was received by her office on January 27th 2010.
Those documents can be downloaded in the "legal documents" section - "DNA Issue" paragraph on the website.
Please take the time to read the letter, the exhibits document all the points and statements made by Hank in his letter.
As you will understand from his letter, Hank is asking the D.A. to put the execution warrant on hold, to grant him a 120-day reprieve and order the DNA testing.
It is important to support him in this vital attempt. Of course the purpose is NOT to write to the D.A. and attack her for what she hasn't done or should have done. What needs to be emphasized is that justice calls for the truth and the untested evidence is crucial to prove his innocence. Her position as D.A. is to ensure that justice is served and not to allow the execution of an innocent man when so many issues remain unresolved just a few weeks from his execution date.
You can send your letters with reference "Hank Skinner - Execution Date February 24, 2010" to:
Ms. Lynn Switzer
District Attorney
Gray County Courthouse
Pampa TX 79065
For more impact, you may consider copying your letter to a local media of your choice and also to enclose a copy of Hank's letter as well. If you do so, make sure you include the information after your signature; ie: cc. Houston Chronicle (whathever newpaper you choose).
http://www.hankskinner.org
29.01.2010, Scott Cobb, 1 Comments
The clemency petition is seeking a commutation of Hank's death
sentence to life in prison in order to enable him to prove his
innocence and seek a pardon.
The letters can be mailed in support of his clemency petition
starting February 4th and to arrive no later than February 17th.
Please write the following reference "Attention: Hank Skinner Case -
#999143" on each page of your letter (as well as the covering page
if you send it by fax) and on the front of the envelope.
Clemency Section
Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles
8610 Shoal Creek Blvd.
Austin, TX 78757-6814
Fax (512) 467-0945
DO NOT SEND YOUR LETTER TO INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, IT WOULD
SIDETRACK YOUR LETTER AND IT MIGHT NOT EVEN REACH THE BOARD IN GOOD
TIME TO BE CONSIDERED.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
All the details of the case are available on the website, however,
here are some of the points you can raise:
Hank was sentenced to die on the basis of a perjured testimony and
circumstancial evidence
The accusation theory relied on that one witness, who later recanted
and explained how she was threatened to
make a false statement to the police and give a deposition at trial
which was based on a script supplied by the district attorney's office
The little forensic analysis done before his trial excluded him as
the killer
The additional and minimum testing done during his post conviction
appeals excluded him too
The available scientific evidence proves his physical incapacitation
at the time of the crime
The important quantity of evidence remaining to be tested is
essential to reveal the truth about his innocence
His motions for DNA testing have been denied although he has always
offered to pay for the costs
The state of Texas has a very poor record in terms of wrongful
convictions and DNA exonerations
The interest of justice is to find out the truth and to not execute
an innocent
The state is withholding the untested evidence that can prove Hank's
innocence
The commutation of his death sentence is the only way for justice to
be served
For more detailed information on the case, please visit:
http://www.hankskinner.org
sentence to life in prison in order to enable him to prove his
innocence and seek a pardon.
The letters can be mailed in support of his clemency petition
starting February 4th and to arrive no later than February 17th.
Please write the following reference "Attention: Hank Skinner Case -
#999143" on each page of your letter (as well as the covering page
if you send it by fax) and on the front of the envelope.
Clemency Section
Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles
8610 Shoal Creek Blvd.
Austin, TX 78757-6814
Fax (512) 467-0945
DO NOT SEND YOUR LETTER TO INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, IT WOULD
SIDETRACK YOUR LETTER AND IT MIGHT NOT EVEN REACH THE BOARD IN GOOD
TIME TO BE CONSIDERED.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
All the details of the case are available on the website, however,
here are some of the points you can raise:
Hank was sentenced to die on the basis of a perjured testimony and
circumstancial evidence
The accusation theory relied on that one witness, who later recanted
and explained how she was threatened to
make a false statement to the police and give a deposition at trial
which was based on a script supplied by the district attorney's office
The little forensic analysis done before his trial excluded him as
the killer
The additional and minimum testing done during his post conviction
appeals excluded him too
The available scientific evidence proves his physical incapacitation
at the time of the crime
The important quantity of evidence remaining to be tested is
essential to reveal the truth about his innocence
His motions for DNA testing have been denied although he has always
offered to pay for the costs
The state of Texas has a very poor record in terms of wrongful
convictions and DNA exonerations
The interest of justice is to find out the truth and to not execute
an innocent
The state is withholding the untested evidence that can prove Hank's
innocence
The commutation of his death sentence is the only way for justice to
be served
For more detailed information on the case, please visit:
http://www.hankskinner.org
26.01.2010, Scott Cobb, 0 Comments
Register at http://springbreakalternative.org/deathpenalty
The Annual Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break is an invaluable experience. Participants will come away with firsthand knowledge of the anti-death penalty movement and a new understanding of how they can affect public policy. Plus, they will have an opportunity to form new friendships that could last a lifetime. During the spring break students will have plenty of free time to enjoy Austin, the Live Music Capital of the World and home of the University of Texas at Austin and the SXSW Music, Film and Interactive Festival, which takes place the same week as our alternative spring break.
Guest speakers this year include three innocent, exonerated people who together spent a total of more than 23 years on death row, Curtis McCarty, Shujaa Graham and Ron Keine.
Join us March 15-19, 2010 in Austin, Texas for the award-winning Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break. It's free, except for a $25 housing fee for those who need us to arrange housing for you. We will house you in a shared room with other spring breakers in either a hotel or dorm. You are responsible for your travel, food and other expenses, but the program and most of the housing costs are on us, except for the $25 housing fee.
Alternative Spring Breaks are designed to give college and high school students something more meaningful to do during their week off, rather than just spending time at the beach or sitting at home catching up on school work. The specific purpose of this Alternative Spring Break is to provide five days of anti-death penalty activism, education and entertainment. This is the place to be if you want to become a part of the next generation of human rights leaders. Go to the beach to change your state of mind for a week, come here to change the world forever.
We will provide participants with workshops led by experienced, knowledgeable presenters who will teach them skills that they can use to go back home and set up new anti-death penalty student organizations or improve ones that may already exist. The skills participants will learn can also be used in other issues besides the death penalty.
Students will gain valuable training and experience in grassroots organizing, lobbying, preparing a direct action and media relations. During the week, students will immediately put what they learn into action during activities such as an Anti-Death Penalty Lobby Day and a Protest Day with a rally at the Texas Capitol. There will be opportunities to write press releases, speak in public, meet with legislators or their aides, and conceive and carry out a protest.
Now is one of the most critical times ever to learn about and organize against the death penalty.
In Sept 2009, we learned from a state-funded report that Texas executed Todd Willingham for arson/murder even though the fire was not arson it was just a fire, so Texas executed an innocent person.
Sharon Keller, the presiding judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, has been charged with incompetence and misconduct for saying “we close at 5″ on Sept 25, 2007 when lawyers called her court to submit a late appeal for a person later executed that same day.
Texas leads the nation by far in number of executions. In 2009, Texas carried out almost 46 percent of all executions in the United States. Texas executed 24 people in 2009. There were a total of 52 executions in the U.S. in 2009. Since the U.S Supreme Court ruling in 1976 that allowed executions to resume after a four-year period during which they were considered unconstitutional, there have been 1193 executions in the United States (as of Jan 25, 2010). Texas has performed 449 of those executions, which amounts to about 37 percent of the national total. According to the 2000 census, Texas has only 7.4 percent of the nation's entire population.
There has been progress against the death penalty. In 2009, New Mexico became the 15th state to abolish the death penalty. New Jersey abolished the death penalty in 2007. Death sentences have dropped in the last several years. Texas only sentenced nine people to death in 2009.
Nationwide, there are now 60% fewer death sentences yearly than in the 1990s. There were 106 death sentences in 2009 compared with a high of 328 in 1994.
Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break is a program of Students Against the Death Penalty, Texas Moratorium Network, Texas Students Against the Death Penalty, Campaign to End the Death Penalty - Austin Chapter, Texas Death Penalty Abolition Movement, Texans Against the Death Penalty, Campus Progress and Journey of Hope ... From Violence to Healing.
http://springbreakalternative.org/deathpenalty
The daily schedule will be released soon and posted at the official website.
On the afternoon of Thursday, March 19th, there will be a Rally for Justice as part of the Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break at the Texas Capitol.
The Annual Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break is an invaluable experience. Participants will come away with firsthand knowledge of the anti-death penalty movement and a new understanding of how they can affect public policy. Plus, they will have an opportunity to form new friendships that could last a lifetime. During the spring break students will have plenty of free time to enjoy Austin, the Live Music Capital of the World and home of the University of Texas at Austin and the SXSW Music, Film and Interactive Festival, which takes place the same week as our alternative spring break.
Guest speakers this year include three innocent, exonerated people who together spent a total of more than 23 years on death row, Curtis McCarty, Shujaa Graham and Ron Keine.
Join us March 15-19, 2010 in Austin, Texas for the award-winning Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break. It's free, except for a $25 housing fee for those who need us to arrange housing for you. We will house you in a shared room with other spring breakers in either a hotel or dorm. You are responsible for your travel, food and other expenses, but the program and most of the housing costs are on us, except for the $25 housing fee.
Alternative Spring Breaks are designed to give college and high school students something more meaningful to do during their week off, rather than just spending time at the beach or sitting at home catching up on school work. The specific purpose of this Alternative Spring Break is to provide five days of anti-death penalty activism, education and entertainment. This is the place to be if you want to become a part of the next generation of human rights leaders. Go to the beach to change your state of mind for a week, come here to change the world forever.
We will provide participants with workshops led by experienced, knowledgeable presenters who will teach them skills that they can use to go back home and set up new anti-death penalty student organizations or improve ones that may already exist. The skills participants will learn can also be used in other issues besides the death penalty.
Students will gain valuable training and experience in grassroots organizing, lobbying, preparing a direct action and media relations. During the week, students will immediately put what they learn into action during activities such as an Anti-Death Penalty Lobby Day and a Protest Day with a rally at the Texas Capitol. There will be opportunities to write press releases, speak in public, meet with legislators or their aides, and conceive and carry out a protest.
Now is one of the most critical times ever to learn about and organize against the death penalty.
In Sept 2009, we learned from a state-funded report that Texas executed Todd Willingham for arson/murder even though the fire was not arson it was just a fire, so Texas executed an innocent person.
Sharon Keller, the presiding judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, has been charged with incompetence and misconduct for saying “we close at 5″ on Sept 25, 2007 when lawyers called her court to submit a late appeal for a person later executed that same day.
Texas leads the nation by far in number of executions. In 2009, Texas carried out almost 46 percent of all executions in the United States. Texas executed 24 people in 2009. There were a total of 52 executions in the U.S. in 2009. Since the U.S Supreme Court ruling in 1976 that allowed executions to resume after a four-year period during which they were considered unconstitutional, there have been 1193 executions in the United States (as of Jan 25, 2010). Texas has performed 449 of those executions, which amounts to about 37 percent of the national total. According to the 2000 census, Texas has only 7.4 percent of the nation's entire population.
There has been progress against the death penalty. In 2009, New Mexico became the 15th state to abolish the death penalty. New Jersey abolished the death penalty in 2007. Death sentences have dropped in the last several years. Texas only sentenced nine people to death in 2009.
Nationwide, there are now 60% fewer death sentences yearly than in the 1990s. There were 106 death sentences in 2009 compared with a high of 328 in 1994.
Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break is a program of Students Against the Death Penalty, Texas Moratorium Network, Texas Students Against the Death Penalty, Campaign to End the Death Penalty - Austin Chapter, Texas Death Penalty Abolition Movement, Texans Against the Death Penalty, Campus Progress and Journey of Hope ... From Violence to Healing.
http://springbreakalternative.org/deathpenalty
The daily schedule will be released soon and posted at the official website.
On the afternoon of Thursday, March 19th, there will be a Rally for Justice as part of the Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break at the Texas Capitol.
22.01.2010, Scott Cobb, 0 Comments
Tell the State Commission on Judicial Conduct not to let Sharon Keller off the hook.The Republican judge at her trial has recommended that she not be further punished, but the state commission can still punish her for saying "we close at 5" and refusing to accept a late appeal on the day of a person's execution.
Send an email to: seana.willing@scjc.state.tx.us.
In polite, professional language, tell Executive Director Ms Willing that Sharon Keller has brought the Texas judiciary into disrepute and if they let Keller of the hook, the disrepute will only get worse. Restore Integrity, Remove Keller, at least punish her with a formal reprimand.
http://www.scjc.state.tx.us
Our communications to the State Commission will serve as support that Keller has embarrassed the Texas judiciary.
You can call, but they only answer the phone during business hours.
State Commission on Judicial Conduct • P. O. Box 12265 • Austin, TX 78711
Telephone: (512) 463-5533 • Toll Free: (877) 228-5750 • Fax: (512) 463-0511 • TDD: (800)-RELAY-TX
Send an email to: seana.willing@scjc.state.tx.us.
In polite, professional language, tell Executive Director Ms Willing that Sharon Keller has brought the Texas judiciary into disrepute and if they let Keller of the hook, the disrepute will only get worse. Restore Integrity, Remove Keller, at least punish her with a formal reprimand.
http://www.scjc.state.tx.us
Our communications to the State Commission will serve as support that Keller has embarrassed the Texas judiciary.
You can call, but they only answer the phone during business hours.
State Commission on Judicial Conduct • P. O. Box 12265 • Austin, TX 78711
Telephone: (512) 463-5533 • Toll Free: (877) 228-5750 • Fax: (512) 463-0511 • TDD: (800)-RELAY-TX
15.01.2010, Scott Cobb, 0 Comments
The 4th World Congress against the Death Penalty, will take place from February 24th to 26th, 2010, in Geneva’s International Conference Center : and within two of the cities’ cultural landmarks; La Comédie and the Bâtiment des forces motrices.
http://www.abolition.fr/ecpm/english/congres.php?art=693&suj=208&topic=7...
The World Congresses against the death penalty gather hundreds of participants who unite to elaborate national, regional and international strategies towards universal abolition.
In line with the Strasbourg (in 2001), the Montreal (in 2004) and the Paris (in 2007) Congresses, "Geneva 2010" will once again be a unique reunion of abolitionists, coming from all over the world.
This year, special emphasis is devoted to appeal to participants - civil society representatives, international law experts, political and institutional key actors, media etc. - coming from retentionist countries.
Under the patronage of Jacques Chirac and Angela Merkel, the 3rd World Congress witnessed a record attendance, with over 150 speakers and 1 000 participants, including a large number of political leaders.
The 4th World Congress is organized under the patronage of the Swiss Confederation.
High international figures such as Navanethem Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and Jose Luis Zapatero, Prime Minister od Spain, have already confirmed their participation.
A Congress turned towards the United Nations
This 4th Congress being in Geneva, world capital city for human rights, will also focus on attracting the international diplomatic community, in particular the participants to the session of the Human Rights Council of the United Nations.
http://www.abolition.fr/ecpm/english/congres.php?art=693&suj=208&topic=7...
The World Congresses against the death penalty gather hundreds of participants who unite to elaborate national, regional and international strategies towards universal abolition.
In line with the Strasbourg (in 2001), the Montreal (in 2004) and the Paris (in 2007) Congresses, "Geneva 2010" will once again be a unique reunion of abolitionists, coming from all over the world.
This year, special emphasis is devoted to appeal to participants - civil society representatives, international law experts, political and institutional key actors, media etc. - coming from retentionist countries.
Under the patronage of Jacques Chirac and Angela Merkel, the 3rd World Congress witnessed a record attendance, with over 150 speakers and 1 000 participants, including a large number of political leaders.
The 4th World Congress is organized under the patronage of the Swiss Confederation.
High international figures such as Navanethem Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and Jose Luis Zapatero, Prime Minister od Spain, have already confirmed their participation.
A Congress turned towards the United Nations
This 4th Congress being in Geneva, world capital city for human rights, will also focus on attracting the international diplomatic community, in particular the participants to the session of the Human Rights Council of the United Nations.
13.01.2010, Scott Cobb, 0 Comments
Today, I received the phone call from Sister Helen Prejean that I won from the Texas Moratorium Network raffle. This really was an honor for me, and Sister Helen was as thoughtful and generous as I have heard.
When she called, she was actually on her way home from a death row visit in Louisiana. We spoke of several topics with regard to the abolition movement, and then she asked me about my brother’s case. (Jeff Wood) We also talked briefly about the efforts of the Kids Against the Death Penalty and their being asked to speak in Geneva; she then mentioned that she would also be at the 4th World Congress next month in Geneva, and looked forward to meeting us if we were able to raise the money.
Our phone conversation lasted about half an hour, but she called back a second time (while I was in class) and spoke with 7 of the KADP members separately, (who were together to protest tonight’s execution of Gary Johnson) as well as to my husband, Steven. They were all very excited to speak with her, and were thankful for the additional call, which was a surprise to us all!
She assured me that there was a reason she and I were able to connect; and I am looking forward to working/collaborating with her in the future; not only for the sake of my brother, but for all who are affected by this barbaric form of “punishment”. She is truly an inspiration, and I cannot thank her enough for her time. Further, I would like to thank Scott Cobb from the Texas Moratorium Network not only for this amazing opportunity but also for being an instrumental part in the effort to save my brother’s life.
I know that together, we can, and will win the fight for abolition!
When she called, she was actually on her way home from a death row visit in Louisiana. We spoke of several topics with regard to the abolition movement, and then she asked me about my brother’s case. (Jeff Wood) We also talked briefly about the efforts of the Kids Against the Death Penalty and their being asked to speak in Geneva; she then mentioned that she would also be at the 4th World Congress next month in Geneva, and looked forward to meeting us if we were able to raise the money.
Our phone conversation lasted about half an hour, but she called back a second time (while I was in class) and spoke with 7 of the KADP members separately, (who were together to protest tonight’s execution of Gary Johnson) as well as to my husband, Steven. They were all very excited to speak with her, and were thankful for the additional call, which was a surprise to us all!
She assured me that there was a reason she and I were able to connect; and I am looking forward to working/collaborating with her in the future; not only for the sake of my brother, but for all who are affected by this barbaric form of “punishment”. She is truly an inspiration, and I cannot thank her enough for her time. Further, I would like to thank Scott Cobb from the Texas Moratorium Network not only for this amazing opportunity but also for being an instrumental part in the effort to save my brother’s life.
I know that together, we can, and will win the fight for abolition!
03.01.2010, Scott Cobb, 0 Comments
We have a winner in our drawing to win a phone call from Sister Helen Prejean.
Terri Been is the winner. She will soon be receiving a personal phone call from the Nobel Prize nominated world-wide known author and anti-death penalty advocate Sister Helen Prejean.
Terri said, "Yeahhhhhhh!!!!! I won the phone call from Sister Helen Prejean! I can't wait to speak with her!!!! Thanks to Scott Cobb of the Texas Moratorium Network for setting up the contest! What a once in a lifetime opportunity!!!!"
Terri Been is the winner. She will soon be receiving a personal phone call from the Nobel Prize nominated world-wide known author and anti-death penalty advocate Sister Helen Prejean.
Terri said, "Yeahhhhhhh!!!!! I won the phone call from Sister Helen Prejean! I can't wait to speak with her!!!! Thanks to Scott Cobb of the Texas Moratorium Network for setting up the contest! What a once in a lifetime opportunity!!!!"
28.12.2009, Scott Cobb, 0 Comments
This is Scott. I have come up with an idea for a fun fundraiser for the New Year. Lots of people make New Year's resolutions in hopes of making some changes or improvements to their lives. One of the most common New Year's resolutions is to get fitter and maybe drop a few pounds or kilograms.
My idea is to have a "Fitness Fundraiser Against the Death Penalty" to raise money by asking people to pledge to make a donation to help Texas Moratorium Network organize against the death penalty. My goal is to drop twenty pounds (9.09 Kgs) by March 1.
You can help me reach my goal and donate to our work against the death penalty at the same time by pledging to donate a certain amount for every pound I lose. For instance, you could pledge to donate one dollar for every pound I lose. If I reach my goal by March 1, then you would send a donation of $20 to Texas Moratorium Network. Or you could pledge to donate $2.50 for every pound I lose, then if I lose 20 pounds, you would donate $50 to TMN. Or whatever amount you want to pledge.
March 15-19, 2010 we will be holding our Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break, which is a program where we invite high school and college students to come to Austin for five days to learn about the death penalty and get trained in organizing against the death penalty. If I raise any funds though the "Fitness Fundraiser Against the Death Penalty", I plan to use them towards organizing the alternative spring break.
You can read more about our alternative spring break here:
http://www.alternativespringbreak.org/deathpenalty.
I will announce my starting weight on Jan 1. I think it is going to be around 208 (94.55 Kgs), so if I lose 20 pounds, I will weigh about what I did in high school.
If you want to make a pledge per pound, let me know in the comments to this blog or on the wall.
If you also have a few pounds to lose, then you can do a similar project and ask your friends to pledge to donate to a cause or charity of their choice or one of your favorite charities for every pound you lose.
My idea is to have a "Fitness Fundraiser Against the Death Penalty" to raise money by asking people to pledge to make a donation to help Texas Moratorium Network organize against the death penalty. My goal is to drop twenty pounds (9.09 Kgs) by March 1.
You can help me reach my goal and donate to our work against the death penalty at the same time by pledging to donate a certain amount for every pound I lose. For instance, you could pledge to donate one dollar for every pound I lose. If I reach my goal by March 1, then you would send a donation of $20 to Texas Moratorium Network. Or you could pledge to donate $2.50 for every pound I lose, then if I lose 20 pounds, you would donate $50 to TMN. Or whatever amount you want to pledge.
March 15-19, 2010 we will be holding our Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break, which is a program where we invite high school and college students to come to Austin for five days to learn about the death penalty and get trained in organizing against the death penalty. If I raise any funds though the "Fitness Fundraiser Against the Death Penalty", I plan to use them towards organizing the alternative spring break.
You can read more about our alternative spring break here:
http://www.alternativespringbreak.org/deathpenalty.
I will announce my starting weight on Jan 1. I think it is going to be around 208 (94.55 Kgs), so if I lose 20 pounds, I will weigh about what I did in high school.
If you want to make a pledge per pound, let me know in the comments to this blog or on the wall.
If you also have a few pounds to lose, then you can do a similar project and ask your friends to pledge to donate to a cause or charity of their choice or one of your favorite charities for every pound you lose.
08.09.2009, Scott Cobb, 0 Comments
http://camerontoddwillingham.com/?page_id=6
A petition to Governor Rick Perry and the State of Texas to acknowledge that the fire in the Cameron Todd Willingham case was not arson, therefore no crime was committed and on February 17, 2004, Texas executed an innocent man.
The man's name was Todd Willingham and he was executed for intentionally starting a fire that killed his three children. Five years later, we know that when Willingham professed his innocence, he was telling the truth.
All of the outside experts who have reviewed the evidence of the Dec. 23, 1991 fire that killed the Willingham children have concluded that there is no reason to think arson caused the fire.
The most recent of these reports, released in August 2009, concluded that that the fire investigators who initially said that the Willingham fire was arson didn't know what they were talking about. The report found that they ignored the accepted methods of investigating fires and based their conclusions on unscientific folklore and conjecture.
Far from being a murderer, Todd Willingham was the victim of a terrible tragedy. But the tragedy Willingham faced at the loss of his children was compounded by the injustice of his treatment by the Texas justice system.
Governor Perry can't bring Todd Willingham back, but he can clear Willingham's name and acknowledge that a terrible injustice was committed by the State of Texas.
Sign our petition below to urge Governor Perry to clear Willingham's name by publicly accepting the findings of the fire experts about the lack of arson and acknowledging the innocence of Todd Willingham.
A petition to Governor Rick Perry and the State of Texas to acknowledge that the fire in the Cameron Todd Willingham case was not arson, therefore no crime was committed and on February 17, 2004, Texas executed an innocent man.
The man's name was Todd Willingham and he was executed for intentionally starting a fire that killed his three children. Five years later, we know that when Willingham professed his innocence, he was telling the truth.
All of the outside experts who have reviewed the evidence of the Dec. 23, 1991 fire that killed the Willingham children have concluded that there is no reason to think arson caused the fire.
The most recent of these reports, released in August 2009, concluded that that the fire investigators who initially said that the Willingham fire was arson didn't know what they were talking about. The report found that they ignored the accepted methods of investigating fires and based their conclusions on unscientific folklore and conjecture.
Far from being a murderer, Todd Willingham was the victim of a terrible tragedy. But the tragedy Willingham faced at the loss of his children was compounded by the injustice of his treatment by the Texas justice system.
Governor Perry can't bring Todd Willingham back, but he can clear Willingham's name and acknowledge that a terrible injustice was committed by the State of Texas.
Sign our petition below to urge Governor Perry to clear Willingham's name by publicly accepting the findings of the fire experts about the lack of arson and acknowledging the innocence of Todd Willingham.
08.02.2010
Hank Skinner February 24 (Strong Innocence Case)
Website for Hank Skinner
TDCJ Info on Hank Skinner
Michael Sigala March 2TDCJ Info on Michael Sigala
Joshua Maxwell March 11TDCJ Info on Joshua Maxwell
Alix Franklin March 30TDCJ Info on Alix Franklin
Samuel Bustamante April 20TDCJ Info on Samuel Bustamante
William Berkley April 22TDCJ Info on William Berkley
John Alba May 25TDCJ Info on John Alba
Johathan Green June 30TDCJ Info on Johathan Green
Michael Perry July 1TDCJ Info on Michael Perry
08.02.2010
Sarah Palin made an appearance in Texas today at a campaign rally for Rick Perry and the Austin American-Statesman interviewed one person in the crowd who said he supported Palin, but according to the Statesman reporter "would not back Perry because he believes Perry allowed the state to execute an innocent man".
The controversy over Todd Willingham's execution and Rick Perry's cover-up of the investigation looking into whether the forensic evidence used to convict him was scientifically valid could hurt Rick Perry's re-election prospects, but it depends how Perry's opponents talk about the controversy in their own campaigns. Judith Simon of Katy, who work a pink “Palin Power” T-shirt, said she finds the former governor authentic. “When I listen to Sarah Palin, I hear truth and sincerity coming through her. When you’re used to hearing the truth, you recognize the truth.”Simon also said she supports Perry. But her husband James, a fellow Palin fan, said he would not back Perry because he believes Perry allowed the state to execute an innocent man.He was referring to Cameron Todd Willingham, whom the state put to death in 2004 for starting a house fire that killed his wife and children. An arson expert found in a report for a state commission that the investigation that led to Willingham’s conviction was deeply flawed.Asked whom he would support in the primary, James Simon said, “How do I say this politely? None of your business.”
The controversy over Todd Willingham's execution and Rick Perry's cover-up of the investigation looking into whether the forensic evidence used to convict him was scientifically valid could hurt Rick Perry's re-election prospects, but it depends how Perry's opponents talk about the controversy in their own campaigns. Judith Simon of Katy, who work a pink “Palin Power” T-shirt, said she finds the former governor authentic. “When I listen to Sarah Palin, I hear truth and sincerity coming through her. When you’re used to hearing the truth, you recognize the truth.”Simon also said she supports Perry. But her husband James, a fellow Palin fan, said he would not back Perry because he believes Perry allowed the state to execute an innocent man.He was referring to Cameron Todd Willingham, whom the state put to death in 2004 for starting a house fire that killed his wife and children. An arson expert found in a report for a state commission that the investigation that led to Willingham’s conviction was deeply flawed.Asked whom he would support in the primary, James Simon said, “How do I say this politely? None of your business.”
06.02.2010
Texas Moratorium Network (TMN) posted a photo:
Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break, March 15-19, 2010 in Austin, Texas.
Pictured are Shujaa Graham, Ron Keine and Curtis McCarty, three innocent people exonerated and released from death row. They are coming to the alternative spring break. Are you?
springbreakalternative.org/deathpenalty
"This is an historical echo to what happened in 1964 when people came down to the South during the Civil Rights Movement to register people to vote - what was called Freedom Summer. This is similar to what was going on back then, but here the issue is organizing against the death penalty. We invite people from across the nation and across Texas to come to Austin to learn about the injustice of the death penalty, train to take action to oppose executions and gain experience actually taking action." - Scott Cobb, president Texas Moratorium Network
Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break, March 15-19, 2010 in Austin, Texas.
Pictured are Shujaa Graham, Ron Keine and Curtis McCarty, three innocent people exonerated and released from death row. They are coming to the alternative spring break. Are you?
springbreakalternative.org/deathpenalty
"This is an historical echo to what happened in 1964 when people came down to the South during the Civil Rights Movement to register people to vote - what was called Freedom Summer. This is similar to what was going on back then, but here the issue is organizing against the death penalty. We invite people from across the nation and across Texas to come to Austin to learn about the injustice of the death penalty, train to take action to oppose executions and gain experience actually taking action." - Scott Cobb, president Texas Moratorium Network
06.02.2010
The Texas Observer reports that Bill White does not support a moratorium on executions, but Farouk Shami does support a moratorium. The Texas Democratic Party platform endorsed a moratorium in 2004, 2006 and 2008.Farouk Shami understands that a moratorium is the best way to ensure that Texas does not execute an innocent person and can enact reforms to protect innocent people from being executed, "If elected Governor, Farouk Shami would place a moratorium on the death penalty to evaluate these issues and convene a panel of experts to make recommendations on how to reform the death penalty to make it truly fair, if it can indeed be reformed."
From Shami's website:
Seriously Evaluate the Use of the Death PenaltyThe death penalty, as it is currently implemented, has a number of serious problems. The most important of these problems is the potential that an innocent person could be put to death. We must absolutely ensure, at every stage of appeal, potentially exculpatory evidence, particularly forensic and DNA evidence, is admissible and taken very seriously. We must expand the power of the Governor’s office to act as a check on the judicial system and convert the sentence to life in prison with no chance of parole. Another problem with the death penalty as it currently is used in Texas is the racial bias in its sentencing. A black or Hispanic male is far more likely to receive the death penalty than a white male is for committing the same crime. If elected Governor, Farouk Shami would place a moratorium on the death penalty to evaluate these issues and convene a panel of experts to make recommendations on how to reform the death penalty to make it truly fair, if it can indeed be reformed.
06.02.2010
Bill White Says he Does Not Support a Moratorium, but We Will Try to Persuade Him to Change His Mind
Former Texas Governor Mark White has said he supports a moratorium on executions, but the Texas Observer asked Democratic gubernatorial nominee candidate Bill White (no relation to Mark) and Bill said he does not support a moratorium. We will try to meet with him to explain why Texas needs a moratorium. The Texas Democratic Party endorsed a moratorium in the party platform in 2004, 2006 and 2008. A moratorium is the best way to ensure that Texas does not execute an innocent person and that reforms are enacted to make sure that an innocent person is never again executed in Texas. If Texas had enacted a moratorium in 2003, then Todd Willingham would not have been executed in 2004.
The Observer did not ask Democratic gubernatorial nominee candidate Farouk Shami for his opinion on a moratorium, but Shami's website says that he does support a moratorium.
From the Texas Observer:
I’m sure you’re very familiar with the dustup last fall over the Forensic Science Commission. Do you believe that Gov. Perry was engaging in a cover-up when he moved to replace commission members right before they were starting hearings on whether Cameron Todd Willingham was wrongly executed? It certainly looks wrong, and there’s something inconsistent with a governor who now says that he’ll defer to experts on his plans to greatly expand the governor’s mansion and destroy its historical integrity, while at the same time saying that he won’t defer to experts on issues such as forensic science.
Given the information the governor had about questionable forensics that convicted Willingham, should he have halted the execution before he went forward? I haven’t looked at all the details on that case, but if I was governor I would appoint people to boards involving pardon and paroles, and the Forensic Science Commission, who would represent the values of this state—and in the case of forensic science, who are experts. And I would rely on the judgment of those people.
Do you support the death penalty? Yes.
Do you support a moratorium on executions, as former Gov. Mark White has suggested, until we can ensure that Texas is not executing innocent people? No. I think it ought to depend on a case-by-case basis and not be a moratorium across the board.
How would you handle your review of these cases differently from what Gov. Perry has done? Where there is a question about the forensic science, I would listen to the scientists.
03.02.2010
Today, we learned about more misbehavior by John Bradley. He tried to interfere with a legislative hearing held Jan 11 by the Chair of the Texas House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence. As we said yesterday, John Bradley "should be removed as chair of the Texas Commission on Forensic Science. He has proven by his handling of the first meeting that his main goal was to cover-up and impede the investigation into whether Texas relied on faulty arson evidence to execute a person who did not kill anyone".
As reported by Gary Scharrer in The Houston Chronicle:
Gallego had a committee hearing on Jan. 11 to focus on rules of evidence. He invited Beyler to testify.
In a Jan. 26 letter, Beyler told Gallego: "Mr. Bradley.... asked me not to appear before your committee. He was apparently concerned about your motives in inviting me and was very concerned that you wished to do the Commission harm."
"I was not at all convinced by his concerns and decided to come to Austin. As it turns out, his fears were wholly without merit. I very much appreciated that the committee members did not ask questions about the pending TFSC work," Beyler wrote in the letter to Gallego.
The veteran lawmaker said it's its improper to tell witnesses not to show up for a hearing.
"I'm really disappointed that he (John Bradley) would attempt to interfere in a legislative hearing in that fashion," Gallego said.
But Bradley, the district attorney in Williamson County, say he simply told Beyler "that his status as an expert in a case pending before the Forensic Science Commission made it potentially a conflict to serve as a witness in a hearing related to such matters before the conclusion of an investigation."
"Mr. Beyler had already damaged his reputation for impartiality by publicly commenting on the recent appointment of new commissioners. By entering the political arena, he gave ammunition to those people who might question his impartiality," Bradley said. "Having heard Mr. Beyler's presentation to the House Committee, it appears that he wisely edited his remarks to avoid further damaging his reputation. No one prevented him from testifying. It is naive to think that his invitation was unrelated to his work for the commission."
But Gallego said: "Our hearing was about the rules of evidence, and we told everybody that up front. There was no effort on my part to talk about anything else. If those cases came up by name, they came up peripherally."
01.02.2010
Rick Casey of the Houston Chronicle has a column today on how Rick Perry's handpicked puppet/chair of the Texas Forensic Science Commission violated the Texas Open Meetings Act (PDF) at Friday's meeting, which was held in Harlingen. The Dallas Morning News' Trailblazer blog first reported on Bradley's violation of the TOMA. Bradley should be removed as chair of the Commission. He has proven by his handling of the first meeting that his main goal was to cover-up and impede the investigation into whether Texas relied on faulty arson evidence to execute a person who did not kill anyone. One of the Commission members should offer a motion at the next meeting of the Commission to recommend that Rick Perry replaces Bradley as chair. Bradley is an elected district attorney. He knows about the TOMA. He obviously violated the act on purpose as part of his cover-up of the Willingham investigation. The commission members should also read up on Robert's Rules of Order to make sure they know how to exercise their own authority to control Bradley.
From Rick Casey:
Friday started badly for John Bradley, the Williamson County district attorney selected last fall by Gov. Rick Perry to ride herd over the troublesome scientists on the Texas Forensic Science Commission.
His first official act of the morning was to violate the state's open meetings law.
Then his day got worse.
This was the first meeting of the commission under Bradley, who was appointed last September. His first official act was to cancel a meeting three days later at which the commission was scheduled to receive a report from a nationally renowned arson expert hired by the commission in its first high-profile case.
The meeting had drawn national attention because the expert found that the arson investigation that helped lead to the 2004 execution of Cameron Todd Willingham for the murder of his children was badly flawed. It was especially controversial because Perry had rejected a request to delay Willingham's execution based on similar expert analysis.
Bradley unilaterally wrote the agenda for Friday's meeting to focus on new policies and procedures, omitting the Willingham report. He also unilaterally chose Harlingen (which is as close to Mexico City as to Fort Worth, where three of the nine uncompensated and busy commission members live), making wrong my snide prediction that he would hold the meeting in Presidio to discourage reporters.
The session took place in a modest meeting room at a Marriott Courtyard Hotel. A few area reporters were seated around the walls, as well as a handful of protesters carrying signs. A camera crew from the national Innocence Project streamed the meeting live on the group's Web site.
But Bradley evicted an Austin-based documentary crew before the meeting started. One of its members called the attorney general's office in Austin, which sent a message to Barbara Dean, the assistant district attorney who has attended all of the commission's meetings, providing legal guidance since its inception.
Film crew admitted
An hour and a half into the meeting, Dean, seated behind Bradley, tapped him on the shoulder and quietly spoke into his ear. He announced a 10-minute break, and when the meeting resumed the film crew was in the room.
When I asked Bradley about the matter, he curtly told me to talk to the film crew. I said I had and he replied with annoyance: “Then you know.”
His defensiveness was understandable. Enforcement of the Open Meetings Act is the responsibility of local district attorneys such as himself.Grits for Breakfast liveblogged the meeting, which you can read here.
Grits also has a post listing reasons why the commission members should be upset by Bradley's handling of the meeting.
Usurping power from commissioners: Bradley refused to put "action items" on the agenda that were designated in the minutes from the last meeting.
Hijacking the meeting agenda: The chairman arrived in Harlingen with a detailed set of "rules" that were never authorized by the commission and insisted they focus on them exclusively.
Concealing key activities from commissioners: Most FSC members were never told the chair was drafting rules nor did they authorize him to do so. They were first informed of the rules' existence and given a draft the day before the meeting.
Wasting commissioners' time: After spending all day on "rules," the chairman revealed at the end of the meeting that the commission had no rulemaking authority, announcing that these were only voluntary "guidelines" representing an informal agreement that is "not even enforceable on ourselves."
Ignoring "process": Though the Commission historically operated under Robert's Rules, Bradley ran the meeting on a "consensus" basis, which removed limits on the chair, obfuscated members' right to control the process, and allowed Bradley to railroad through his agenda.
Dissembling: When a commissioner told the chairman her vote hinged on whether old cases already in the pipeline - including ones where the Commission had already paid outside consultants (there are only two) - would be subjected to the new committee process, Bradley said no, they would not.
After the vote, when the meeting had nearly ended, Bradley insisted that Willingham's case must go through "part of" the new committee process. If he'd been honest about that during the debate, IMO a majority of commissioners present wouldn't have supported his rules. Off the Kuff says Bradley's performance on Friday is a good reason for Senator John Whitmire "to have another hearing about the Commission and what Bradley is doing to it".
30.01.2010
John Bradley, Rick Perry's hand-picked puppet/chair of the Texas Forensic Science Commission, today tried to continue his cover up of the investigation into whether Texas used faulty forensic science to convict and execute Todd Willingham. He violated the Texas Open Meetings Act by telling a film crew they could not attend and film the meeting of the Texas Forensic Science Commission. Bradley does not understand his responsibilities enough under Texas law to act as chair of the Texas Forensic Science Commission. A county attorney should know about the Texas Open Meetings Act. He probably did know about it, but chose to violate it until the Texas Attorney General advised him to stop violating it. UPDATE: After the attorney general's office talked with Bradley about excluding the film crew from the state agency meeting, Bradley allowed them in. Nelson says it took a couple of hours, but it appears the AG's intervention resolved the impasse.From the Dallas Morning News' Trailblazer blog comes a report from today's meeting of the Texas Forensic Science Commission that Chair John Bradley refused to allow a documentary filmmaker from bringing a camera into the meeting at the Hotel conference room where the meeting is being held.
When the state science panel charged with examining whether the state executed an innocent man met this morning, not everybody was welcome. Chairman John Bradley barred a film crew that is producing a documentary about the death penalty in Texas. The film is being spearheaded by Austinite Reid Nelson, an international consultant who isn't active as an advocate on either side of the issue. Nelson hopes to showcase his film at Sundance and festivals around the country.The live feed of the meeting is at http://www.innocenceproject.org/tfsc.php.
One of the photos of Todd Willingham we created for the 10th Annual March to Abolish the Death Penalty is frequently visible in the feed on a chair in front of Gloria Rubac, who drove to Harlingen from Houston for the meeting.
Protest Rick Perry's 200th Execution
Abolish the Death Penalty
Protesting the Death Penalty
Artwork on the Death Penalty
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