Moratorium on the death penalty
Date: 23. desember 1997 11:59
In February 1997, The ABA passed a resolution calling for a
moratorium on all executions until meaningful steps are taken to
"ensure that death penalty cases are administered fairly and
impartially" and to "minimize the risk that innocent
people may be executed." The ABA's call shines a spotlight
on the crisis of due process in the US legal system.
The quality of representation affored to poor defendants is
grossly inadequate. Race continues to play a centeral role in
determining who lives and who dies. Meanwhile, ambitious public
officials forward their careers by prosecuting and executing
those with little political clout.
The ABA has created a significant politcal opening. In
conjunction with other abolitionist groups,
Equal Justice USA is organizing a grassroots response-a national
campaign to urge local city conuncils, churhes, civic groups, etc
to pass resolutions urging their
governor and state legislators, as well as their members of
Congress and President Clinton, to enact moratoriums on the state
and federal level.
Help build momentum for the halt on executions-an important first
step towards abolishing the death penalty!
Urge your local city council, your church and other institutions
and organizations in your area to pass a resolution calling for a
moratorium on all executions.
Equal Justice USA has agreed to keep the national tally of
organizations and institutions joining the call for a moratorium.
Be sure to send copies of all ratified resolutions to the address
below. Contact us for resources to help you educate your
community about the death penalty and to share organizing ideas.
For the model of the resolution go to.
http://www.igc.apc.org/quixote/ej