June 29 is the anniversary of the 1972 Furman v. Georgia decision in which the U.S. Supreme Court found the death penalty to be applied in an arbitrary and capricious manner. At that time, more then 600 condemned inmates had their death sentences reduced to terms of life imprisonment, and all states were forced to rewrite their death penalty laws. July 2 is the anniversary of the 1976 Gregg v. Georgia decision, which allowed executions to resume in the United States. The four days between these two historic anniversaries provide a natural opportunity for a demonstration of conscience on the issue of judicially-sanctioned state-sponsored killing. The Abolitionist Action Committee (AAC) is an ad-hoc group of individuals committed to highly visible and effective public education for alternatives to the death penalty through nonviolent direct action. The Annual Fast & Vigil was started by the AAC in 1994 and was attended by a handful of abolitionists from across the United States. This annual event has grown steadily, and by 1998 more than 150 people attended part or all of the event, including at least 30 individuals who fasted at the Court or in solidarity with those at the Court. In 2001, more than 300 people attended the Steve Earle concert despite incredibly inhospitable weather and close to 40 people broke fast at the court at the end of the vigil. In 2002, Fast & Vigil events were curtailed by extensive and ongoing renovations to the U.S. Capitol building across the street, and as we were fasting in 2003, construction workers were starting major renovations on the Supreme Court building itself. Despite the extra noise and dust, the sidewalk in front of the Court remains open, and Fast & Vigil participants respond by continuing our interaction with the public to the best of our ability. The Fast & Vigil takes place on the sidewalk in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, considered by many to be the heart of the legalized killing machines in this country. In addition to the strong public witness, this is an excellent opportunity to meet other abolitionists and to "recharge your batteries" while engaging in public outreach and maintaining a physical presence at the Court. ***FASTING IS OPTIONAL*** Prisoners, activists from other countries, and abolitionists who are unable to come to Washington, D.C. have fasted or held events in solidarity with the action at the Court. This tradition continues to grow as well - those who participate in solidarity are asked to communicate this to the Fast & Vigil organizers by e-mailing aac @ abolition.org or by calling 800-973-6548. As the Fast & Vigil has grown, greater attention to logistics has become necessary. Starting in 1997, Citizens United for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (CUADP) volunteered to take on overall logistical and fiscal responsibility for the event. Other organizations have stepped up to the plate to provide funds, space and other resources in order to make this event possible. The list of this year's sponsors can be found at http://www.abolition.org/starvin12.sponsors06.html Press and Picture Gallery from 2002 Fast 'n Vigil Press and Picture Gallery from 2001 Fast 'n Vigil Picture Gallery from previous Fast 'n Vigil's

Abolitionist Action Committee (AAC) PMB 335 2603 NW 13th (AKA Dr. MLK Jr. Hwy) Gainesville, FL 32609 800-973-6548   aac@abolition.org

This web site is sponsored by: Citizens United for Alternatives to the Death Penalty