STARVIN' FOR JUSTICE 2005
June 29th thru July 2nd, 2005
12th Annual Fast & Vigil to Abolish the Death Penalty at the U.S. Supreme Court
The Abolitionist Action Committee hosts this four day vigil maintaining a presence at SCOTUS, the Supreme Court Of The United States. Some of the participants fast during this time, but fasting is not required. We encounter thousands of visitors to the Court and share our message that no matter how you slice it, the death penalty is bad public policy. Much of the time is spent talking to individuals and creating visibility. Several larger events are held at key times during the event to highlight specific concerns, with a series of speakers each evening to educate, enlighten and entertain.
The annual 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.
The purpose of this event is to maintain a presence at SCOTUS between the dates of the anniversaries of when the death penalty was ruled unconstitutional in practice in 1972, and when new laws were upheld in 1976. While the Court may not be in session and Congress is in recess, this presence is more than symbolic.
For further information e-mail aac@abolition.org or call 800-973-6548 or visit the ACC web site at www.abolition.org/annual.html#general .
Texas: October 14-30, 2005
The Journey of Hope...from Violence to Healing is led by murder victim family members who oppose the death penalty. Death row family members and exonerated death row inmates join the Journey. Activists from around the world will be joining the Journey to help on this educational speaking tour.
Journey "storytellers" come from all walks of life and represent the full spectrum and diversity of faith, color and economic situation. They are real people who know first hand the aftermath of the insanity and horror of murder. They recount their tragedies and their struggles to heal as a way of opening dialogue on the death penalty in schools, colleges, churches and other venues.
The Journey will begin in Huntsville, Texas, home of the infamous Walls Unit where executions take place. From Huntsville the core group of Journeyers will head to Houston for three days speaking in High Schools, Colleges, Churches and other various venues sharing their personal stories. While in Houston, teams of speakers will go to Beaumont, Victoria and Corpus Christi. From Houston the Journey will head to the Dallas/Fort Worth area for three days and then on to San Antonio for three days where Sister Helen Prejean will join the Journey. From San Antonio we will head to Austin, the State Capitol. After several days of speaking events in Austin, the Journey will join with the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty for its annual conference.
Please join us for the amazing event. For more information, contact Bill Pelke at Bill@JourneyofHope.org or call toll free -877-924-GIVE (4483).
National weekend of faith in action 2005
October 21-23, 2005
State Goal to Register 30 Faith Communities
Mark your calendars for the weekend of October 21-23, 2005, to observe the National Weekend of Faith in Action on the Death Penalty with your faith-based community. Instituted by Amnesty International in 1998, the NWFA has given religious groups from around the country an opportunity to discuss and think about the implications and consequences of the death penalty in the United States. NWFA can serve as an excellent chance to educate friends, neighbors, and families on the issue of the death penalty and the moral aspects of this controversial issue.
Though not a national conference or event, the NWFA provides faith-based groups with an occasion to engage their communities in active discussions regarding the death penalty. Over the past few years, socially active religious communities have taken this weekend to organize letter-writing campaigns to legislators, watch videos or documentaries, or simply open conversations pertaining to the use of capital punishment in the US. For you and your religious community, the NWFA can serve as time of constructive social action and faith-building fellowship.
Anyone interested in hosting an NWFA event or planning a weekend with his or her community can contact TCASK or Amnesty International for a packet of resource materials. To register as a participant, please contact Kristin Houlé at (202)544-0200, extension 496. Also, let us know at TCASK how you and your religious groups plan to get involved in the 2005 NWFA. As people of faith, our voices and communities can make a difference in the fight against capital punishment. We at TCASK would like to encourage you to reach out to the people in your community and take part in this life-changing weekend.
NCADP 2005 NATIONAL CONFERENCE
October 27-30, Austin, TX
Turning Wins Into Winning
Less than a decade ago, we lacked members, muscle and momentum. But today, the death penalty abolition movement is achieving major wins in the courts and in the state capitals, and the American public is shifting to our side. If we are smart, use our resources wisely, and work together, we will abolish the death penalty in America.
This year?s conference takes place in the capital of the U.S. machinery of death ? Austin, Texas. Conference Speakers include Bryan Stevenson of the Equal Justice Initiative in Alabama, Gary Bledsoe of the Texas State Conference of the NAACP, and Diann Rust-Tierny executive director of the NCADP.
TCASK seeks to mobilize a bus to drive to Austin, to learn, strategize and celebrate abolitionist of the year Shari Silberstein of Equal Justice USA (see front cover). Space will be limited so contact the state office today to get on the bus.
Updates on workshops, speakers and events.