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Keep the death penalty out of New York March 25,2005 The Lower Hudson chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, in conjunction with a number of organizations including the Fellowship of Reconciliation, has organized a Community Forum to oppose reinstating the death penalty in New York. The event will be held on Sunday, April 10 at 2:30 p.m. at the New City Public Library, North Main Street, New City. Among the speakers is Pat Clark, executive director the Fellowship of Reconciliation and vice chair of Murder Victims’ Families for Reconciliation. There is a strong legislative move to reinstate the death penalty in New York State, with the New York State Senate having already passed a measure to this effect. Part of the purpose of the forum will be to organize the community and local legislators to lobby the State Assembly to vote AGAINST such a recidivist and reactionary step. Pat Clark of the FOR emphasized the importance of preventing New York from backsliding on this important issue and measure of a civilized society. ”Murder Victim Family members have been told the death penalty is necessary for closure and healing,” Clark said. “In reality, the death penalty does not heal and ultimately creates another set of victims. Resources that would be spent on implementing a death penalty could be better spent on providing real alternatives to violence and support for victim family members.” The death penalty not only turns all citizens into executioners, but discriminates on the basis of race and wealth. Many death-row inmates have been exonerated years later, on the basis of new evidence. Others were exonerated only after they were executed. And many studies have shown the death penalty to be no deterrent: States with the highest rates of executions continue to have the highest rates of crime. Other speakers include Kevin Doyle Esq., a legal expert and death penalty attorney, Ray Krone, a former death row inmate who was exonerated; and Laura Porter, statewide organizer for New Yorkers Against the Death Penalty. When: Sunday, April 10 at 2:30 p.m. Where: New City Public Library, North Main Street, New City Contact: ©2004 Fellowship of Reconciliation |
