Use this as a model to issue your own press release to the local newspaper(s), radio stations and television stations. Simply copy the below sample and paste it into a new document in your word processor, then make it your own by adjusting the information and perhaps by modifying the quotes.

"But I don't have a press list!" Yes, you do! One press list is your local phone book. Or you can visit http://newslink.org/ Or you can contact David Elliott at the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty at www.NCADP.org . Just look up the TV and radio stations, call them and ask for the "news desk" or the "Assignment desk" and then ask the person who answers if they prefer to receive press releases by fax or by e-mail, and for the correct number or e-mail address. If they ask what it's about, briefly tell them, and suggest talking again after they receive the release. Then send the release and call them back to make sure they have it. It's best to give them a few days notice, and then re-send and remind the night before and/or very early the morning of your event.

When sending out news releases, don't forget religious and suburban news outlets. Mail or fax them your release, the historical background information, and the statement about alternatives to the death penalty, and then call to make sure they received it. Ask to speak with the news editor, and ask that person if they plan to cover your event. Even if they cannot come, offer to do a phone interview. Many news outlets may use a few lines from your press release without coming to the event or even talking to you. Also, by contacting the news folks with this material, you remind them that you are a source on this issue whom they can call in the future, so it's worth it to send it out to all the media outlets in the area. Remember, this is just a sample. Feel free to adjust it to suit your style and local situation. If you need further advice, don't hesitate to call us (800-973-6548).

PRESS RELEASE

Date
(Contact Person)
(Contact Phone Number)

Local Activists to Mark 159 Years Without Death Penalty.

Members of the (your group) will gather at (name of location) on Wednesday, March 1st, to celebrate International Death Penalty Abolition Day, the 159th anniversary of the date in 1847 when the State of Michigan became the first English-speaking territory in the world to abolish the death penalty. The gathering is part of a growing movement calling for alternatives to the death penalty in the United States

"We want the people of our (name of city or state) to take a hard look at how our criminal justice system is actually working," said (name of spokesperson). "Regardless of what you think of the concept of the death penalty, anyone who examines the system from a non-emotional standpoint will find that economically, socially and morally, the practice of the death penalty is a bad public policy."

Organizers of the "Abolition Day" event point to the State of Michigan as an example that viable alternatives to the death penalty exist. "They got rid of the death penalty because they found that they could not trust themselves to use it fairly, and they learned too late that they had killed an innocent man." said (spokesperson #2). Michigan has been without the death penalty for 159 years. The first act of their new legislature when Michigan became a state was to abolish the death penalty.

"We think (our politicians) [or] (name governor or other pro death penalty public figure) owe it to the people of this state to take a serious look at the alternatives to the death penalty already in use across this country," said (spokesperson #1). "Violent criminals can be punished and society protected, through the use of long-term prison sentences before a convicted person can be considered for parole. It works in Michigan and in other states like California, which has the oldest 'Life Without Parole' (LWOP) statute in the country. Not one of the people sentenced to LWOP has been released. We are saying to the people of (name of state), 'Don't make us become that which we deplore. Don't kill in our names. We can do better.'"

People who would like more information may contact (name of local person and contact information.) Free information is also available from Citizens United for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (CUADP), a Florida-based national organization working to increase the level of informed dialogue about viable alternatives to the death penalty. CUADP may be reached at 800-973-6548 or on the internet at www.CUADP.org.