3/25: Statewide Day of Action Against the Death Penalty

Death Penalty Focus
870 Market St. Ste. 859 San Francisco, CA 94102
Tel. 415-243-0143 - Fax 415-243-0994 - http://www.deathpenalty.org

Statewide Day of Action Against the Death Penalty
Friday, March 25th

California's death penalty system is gearing up for several more executions this year despite the fact that the newly-formed California Commission on the Fair Administration of Justice will begin its in-depth study of the criminal justice system, including a close examination of the death penalty system, in the near future.

It is now more important than ever that we seize every opportunity to pronounce our opposition to state killing and demand a time-out on executions while the Commission completes its study!

We invite you to join Death Penalty Focus, California People of Faith Working Against the Death Penalty, Equal Justice USA, Amnesty International USA and the California Catholic Conference of Bishops on Good Friday, March 25th, for a statewide day of action and protest against the death penalty!

Please visit http://detention.la-archdiocese.org/Erics%20Stuff/Good%20Friday/Good%20Friday%20Page%201.htm for a complete Good Friday Action Kit that includes a sample letter to the Governor, death penalty fact sheets, activities for faith communities, sample sermons on the death penalty, and important links.

WHAT YOU CAN DO ON MARCH 25TH!

1) Contact the Governor and ask him to declare a time-out on executions. Call/Fax/Email or Visit one of his district offices in person! See the Sample Letter at the bottom of this email!

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-445-4633
To send an Electronic Mail please visit: http://www.govmail.ca.gov

Or visit a District Office! Contact me if you are willing to lead a delegation!

Fresno Office
2550 Mariposa Mall #3013
Fresno, CA 93721
Phone: 559-445-5295
Fax: 559-445-5328

Los Angeles Office
300 South Spring Street
Suite 16701
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Phone: 213-897-0322
Fax: 213-897-0319

Riverside Office
3737 Main Street #201
Riverside, CA 92501
Phone: 951-680-6860
Fax: 951-680-6863

San Diego Office
1350 Front Street
Suite 6054
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-525-4641
Fax: 619-525-4640

San Francisco Office
455 Golden Gate Avenue
Suite 14000
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: 415-703-2218
Fax: 415-703-2803

2) Organize a small group to leaflet at your place of worship, a community event or in a public location.

3) Sign the petition: http://www.deathpenalty.org/index.php?pid=sign%20petition

4) Write a letter to your local paper about why California needs a time-out on executions: http://www.deathpenalty.org/index.php?pid=letters

5) Spread the word! Share this email with other groups and friends!

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SAMPLE LETTER

March 25, 2005

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-445-4633


Dear Governor Schwarzenegger,

I am writing to urge you declare a time-out on executions in California. In the spirit of Good Friday, I hope that you will seriously consider this request.

Last year the Senate approved the formation of the California Commission on the Fair Administration of Justice “to study the extent to which California’s criminal justice system has failed in the past, resulting in wrongful executions or the wrongful conviction of innocent persons.” This Commission will soon begin its study and will be submitting its findings to you no later than December 31, 2007. It is only prudent that California halt executions while this study is being conducted and until the Legislature can address any issues of concern. Similar studies in other states have revealed numerous flaws that have contributed to the uneven application of the death penalty and occasionally the conviction of innocent people. Six men have already been wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death in California and hundred more have served grueling sentences for crimes they didn't commit. It is intolerable to think that an innocent man or women could be executed in California.

I urge you to consider declaring an immediate time-out on executions. Given the circumstances, it is the only reasonable and just thing to do.

Sincerely,


Name
Address (optional)
City, State, Zip




Stefanie L. Faucher
Program Director

Death Penalty Focus
870 Market St. Ste. 859
San Francisco, CA 94102
Tel. 415-243-0143
Fax 415-243-0994
stefanie [at] deathpenalty.org
http://www.deathpenalty.org
http://www.californiamoratorium.org