Press Release

FROM CITIZENS UNITED FOR ALTERNATIVES TO THE DEATH PENALTY (CUADP)

For Immediate Release: 15 August 2003

CONTACT: Abe Bonowitz
800-973-6548
abe@cuadp.org

FADP CALLS ON GOVERNOR BUSH TO HEED THE WARNINGS

In the wake of bullets and death threats sent to prison officials and Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist, Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP) again calls on Governor Bush to commute Paul Hill's death sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

FADP wrote to Governor Bush last week (see www.fadp.org/pressrel.html) to urge him not to assist Paul Hill in his quest for martyrdom by allowing the execution to proceed. When he signed the death warrant in July, Governor Bush dismissed the suggestion that Hill's supporters might see him as a martyr. "He's a murderer and he was sentenced to death and I have the duty to carry out that sentence," Bush said, according to media reports. FADP asks Governor Bush to reconsider his assertion in light of Hill's own statements, and the way Hill's supporters have reacted. (See details at www.fadp.org/takeact.html#hill)

"Governor Bush says he has a duty to carry out the law," said FADP director Abe Bonowitz, "but the law also allows him the option to commute the sentence. It is important that Governor Bush recognize that Hill was motivated to commit his murders by following the example of fellow pro-lifer Michael Griffin, who killed Dr. David Gunn in Pensacola just a few months before Hill committed his crimes. Considering the fact that Hill has encouraged others to follow in his example, together with the death threats recently sent to various officials in Florida, Governor Bush must put the safety of Floridians above politics and commute Paul Hill's sentence to life without the possibility of parole. This option allows the punishment of Mr. Hill and the ensures the safety of citizens of Florida. Governor Bush is duty-bound to protect all Floridians; FADP again calls on him to act in the interests of that charge. We ask for leadership instead of politics as usual. It takes a leader to stop the cycle of violence."

REMINDER:
FADP will continue place additional information on its web site at www.FADP.org, and will conduct a "Tele-Press Conference" on the matter at 10:30am on August 25, 2003. RSVP to fadp@fadp.org to receive the call-in number and passcode to join the tele-press conference.

SENT BY:
 
Abraham J. Bonowitz
Director, CUADP

********************************************************

********************************************************