Starvin’ for Justice? It’s Time!
Death Penalty Action took a deliberate step back in these past several weeks, in large part because we have been very engaged in locally. We have been working to support and lift up black voices leading in our communities, and otherwise supporting protests calling for police accountability and restructuring. We trust that you are also working for an end to the systemic racism that has led to the ongoing uprisings.
There is another element of the conversation that is not being widely discussed, and that is the concept of extra-judicial executions. This is a term for when police officers or other government actors go beyond their appropriate roles to become judge, jury and executioner, and is more commonly used in international law. Death Penalty Action opposes all executions, whether judicial or extra-judicial. In our upcoming online programming later this month, we are going to talk more about that, and we want to invite your thoughts and ideas in advance. Feel free to reply to this message with your own perspectives.
SAVE THE DATES: June 29, 30, July 1 & 2
Coming up two weeks from Monday is the 27th Annual Starving’ for Justice: The Fast & Vigil to Abolish the Death Penalty. A preview discussion was featured yesterday on Voices of Experience on the Death Penalty (watch here).
Due to the pandemic, all programming will be virtual via Zoom and broadcast on the Starvin’ for Justice and partner Facebook pages. During the day and in the evenings, we’ll host interviews, panel discussions, musicians, artistic readings and at least one film screening. Those who register in advance will receive access to special programming just for Starvin’ for Justice participants.
Confirmed speakers and programs include:
- Panel Discussion & keynote: Extra-Judicial Executions in the United States
- The Death Penalty Information Center’s Rob Dunham
- The Julius Jones Campaign
- The Rodney Reed Campaign
- The Kevin Keith Campaign
- Meeting the needs of murder victim family members
- Journey of Hope… From Violence to Healing speakers
- Witness to Innocence speakers
- Panel: Religion & the Death Penalty
- State reports, including Virginia, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and many others
- Tessie Castillo and co-authors of Crimson Letters
- Panel: Former Executioners
- Film Screening & Talk Back: In the Executioners Shadow
- And much more! Full Schedule to be Announced by June 25th.
Please join the sponsors with your sponsorship today. Co-sponsors as of June 12th include:
- Amnesty International Group 213 — Raleigh, NC
- Abraham & Isaac Bonowitz and Beth Wood
- Zann Carter
- Chuck Culhane
- Death Penalty Action
- Death Row Support Project
- Dick Dieter and Maggie Louden
- Doug Dunlop
- Equal Justice USA
- Gainesville Citizens for Alternatives to the Death Penalty — Gainesville, FL
- German Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty
- Bob Gross
- Susan Gries
- Andrea Hall
- Viki Harrison
- Mary Hendrix
- Journey of Hope… from Violence to Healing
- Kehilla Community Synagogue
- Caroline Klam
- Marianist Social Justice Collaborative
- Dick and Eileen Melia
- Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty
- National Benedictines for Peace
- Nevada Coalition Against the Death Penalty
- Bruce and Julie Pearson
- People Against Executions (PAX) of the Open Door Community
- Mrs. Nancy Scheaffer
- Joanne Schwarz
- South Dakotans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty
- Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan, Jr.
- Scott Taylor
- Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty — in honor of the Reed Justice Initiative
- Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty
- Dina Windle
- Witness to Innocence
- Anonymous from North Carolina
Join the sponsorship list today, here.
And we must renew and redouble our efforts to change our world. Sign petitions to oppose other upcoming executions here.
Thank you,
— Abe & Scott
PS: Like what we do? Help make it happen with your donation today, here!
