Recently, I gave a talk at the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty’s annual conference about words we should stop using when we talk about the death penalty. They’re words like: controversial, courageous, brave, hard. These words send the wrong message. They give the impression that only a few people can change the conversation… Continue reading What’s wrong with these words? Controversial, courageous, brave, hard.
Tag: Maryland
Geography
Maryland To Dedicate Support for Families of Murder Victims For the First Time
New funding comes from savings from repealing the death penalty Maryland’s FY15 budget, passed today, includes new funding ($500,000) for support and services to family members of homicide victims. This special designation puts Maryland in the vanguard of states recognizing the needs of this often overlooked population of crime victims. Companion legislation to require ongoing… Continue reading Maryland To Dedicate Support for Families of Murder Victims For the First Time
A Huge Step Towards Better Support for Murder Victims’ Families in Maryland
Yesterday Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley released his budget. For the first time ever, the budget included $500,000 to assist families of homicide victims! EJUSA supporters joined with Maryland Citizens Against State Executions and other coalition partners to send thousands of messages to Governor O’Malley last year asking him to use savings from ending the death… Continue reading A Huge Step Towards Better Support for Murder Victims’ Families in Maryland
What you did in 2013
There are only a few days left in 2013, but I’m already feeling nostalgic – and grateful. You helped us accomplish so much this year. Because of your support: Maryland became the sixth state in six years to end the death penalty this May. And when a small group of repeal opponents tried to “repeal… Continue reading What you did in 2013
Repeal of Death Penalty Signed Into Law In Maryland
Maryland’s Governor, Martin O’Malley, today signed the legislation to repeal Maryland’s death penalty. The new law makes Maryland the sixth state in six years to end the death penalty. Maryland represents the first time a Governor put the full weight of his office behind a campaign to end the death penalty. Governor O’Malley sponsored the… Continue reading Repeal of Death Penalty Signed Into Law In Maryland
The biggest year yet for Maryland?
Maryland lawmakers are practically clamoring to show their support for a new bill that would end Maryland’s death penalty. At a press conference yesterday it was unveiled that the bill has received a record number of co-sponsors: 21 Senate co-sponsors (24 are needed for passage) and 61 House co-sponsors (71 are needed for passage). Maryland… Continue reading The biggest year yet for Maryland?
Maryland victory at a glance.
In 2002, EJUSA… …Produced and distributed 30,000 action alert postcards in conjunction with the NAACP, and a follow-up emergency mailing to Quixote Center constituents. The Governor’s staff reported that they were flooded with e-mails, calls, and letters. …Led a delegation to meet with Lt. Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, who expressed support for a moratorium and… Continue reading Maryland victory at a glance.
Maratorium Now Turns Five
Five years ago, we set out to build a movement to halt executions, resolution by resolution, church by church, and school by school. We dreamed that our strategy would shatter the political inertia of the anti-death penalty struggle and build the people’s movement that is now sweeping the nation. Capturing the imagination of local and… Continue reading Maratorium Now Turns Five
The Abolitionist of the Year and the Bold Dreamer
The Quixote Center’s Equal Justice USA program made history this year when we won the nation’s second state moratorium in the country in our home state of Maryland. On October 26 in Chicago, the national movement honored that achievement when the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty named Equal Justice USA project coordinator and… Continue reading The Abolitionist of the Year and the Bold Dreamer
Field Office Report: Networking across states the key to success
Covering campaigns in NJ, PA, MD, NY, and DE The Field Office’s second year started off strong with a multi-state tour of the Journey of Hope…from Violence to Healing, which came through Delaware, New Jersey, and New York in April. To share ideas and get a jump-start planning the tour, Field Organizer Celeste Fitzgerald facilitated… Continue reading Field Office Report: Networking across states the key to success