Citizens United for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (CUADP)
has been working for almost a year with activists on the ground in Terre
Haute and Indiana in preparation for the first federal execution.
In conjunction with the Journey of Hope ...From Violence to
Healing, Inc. (http://www.journeyofhope.org), an organization of murder
victim's family members who oppose the death penalty, CUADP director Abe Bonowitz
will arrive in Terre Haute on the Journey bus, known as "Abolition
Movin'," on May 12 to continue working with the Terre Haute Abolition Network
and the May 16 Coalition. Bonowitz will be traveling with Journey
co-founders Bill Pelke and George White, all of whom are available for comment now,
and in Terre Haute. Reach Bill Pelke at 877-924-4483 (mobile:
305-775-5823 after 5/9) and George White at 620-443-9433 (mobile: 216-496-3519
after 5/10).
The web pages will now be updated on an almost daily basis
through May 9. This includes a growing list of demonstrations and vigils
planned for May 15 and 16 in cities across the nation. Go to
http://www.cuadp.org and check out "Circus McVeigh."
CUADP's statement: "It's NOT About McVeigh
"We have NEVER suggested that what Timothy McVeigh did is
defensible. We do not defend his actions, and we are as shocked and outraged as
anyone else - not only in this case, but whenever we hear of violent deaths.
"But this is not about McVeigh. It's about us, and what
killing him says about us and does to us. When I say "us," I mean our
society, our nation, and each citizen, tax payer or not. I am not a killer. I abhor
killing, and I will not contradict myself by saying "killing is
wrong" and then turning around to justify killing when it suits me. Tim McVeigh may
deserve to die, but I do not deserve to kill him.
"Silence is complicity. Therefore, I must vocally and
visibly say "NO!" to this government having the power to kills its own citizens.
"As a former supporter of the death penalty, I urge
everyone to look beyond McVeigh. Set aside the concept of killing prisoners
convicted of murder, and instead to look at the death penalty in practice. An
honest assessment
can only bring one conclusion: Morally, economically and
socially the death penalty is bad public policy."
Abe Bonowitz
Director
Citizens United for Alternatives to the Death Penalty
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