The state of Pennsylvania is back in the killing business. The first execution in 50 years of a non-volunteer is scheduled for November 8, 2012 at 7 PM. Please stand with us outside the death
house on the evening of Michael Hubert's execution. The vigil will
take place regardless of weather. Be sure to bring layers of clothing
and, if rain is predicted, umbrellas.
If you can, bring several
candles as symbols of shining a light of hope for ending the death
penalty in Pennsylvania and throughout the world. You may also want to
bring a folding chair and some snacks to share. There is no parking
on the road outside the prison so we will be relying on shuttle service
by the generous Penn State students using their personal vehicles. Please park in the mall and look for a group of vehicles which will be clearly marked with signs calling for abolition of the death penalty. More details and a map of the exact location in the parking lot will be posted here at least one week before the execution.
Please spread the word far and wide about this vigil and encourage everyone to join us. Pennsylvania must be shown that we do not want the state to kill in our names. Invited speakers will include leaders of Amnesty International, Pennsylvania Prison Society, murder victims' family members, faith leaders, and representatives from other organizations. If your organization is interested in this speaking opportunity, please let me know so that we can work out the details/logistics.
Yours in Solidarity and Hope,
Kathleen
Monday, October 22, 2012
Monday, October 15, 2012
World Day Against the Death Penalty Vigil in Love Park
Aja Beech, board member and the heart and head of our Philly PADP chapter organized this vigil at Love Park. October 10th is the annual World Day Against the Death Penalty. Vigils, rallies, educational events and more are held throughout the world to remind us why we must abolish capital punishment.
I hope that next year we will have events throughout Pennsylvania, organized by abolitionists like you. Enjoy the pictures, taken by our friend, Maureen Roche. Maureen, thank you for your generosity!
Kathleen
I hope that next year we will have events throughout Pennsylvania, organized by abolitionists like you. Enjoy the pictures, taken by our friend, Maureen Roche. Maureen, thank you for your generosity!
Kathleen
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Road Trip Ended Mid-Way
Friends,
I was driving to SCI Rockview, just outside of State College, PA to attend a vigil for Terrance Williams who was scheduled for execution at 7PM. I've never been happier to have to turn around and return home so far into a road trip. When I answered my cell phone I was holding my breath and just said, "And?" I heard that the PA Supreme Court had upheld that stay of execution and that I could turn around and go home. I pulled over and just shook for a few minutes.
Now that I'm back home, and even before I start reading the news, I am writing to say thank you all for everything that you have been doing for Terry. I only know a tiny fraction of what you've been doing, but, I'm sure Terry appreciates every bit that you have done.
There will be more work ahead soon, both for Terry and for the two other men PA is trying to execute this year. For now, please take a few minutes to ponder how much difference we can make when we all work together on a task that seemed so unachievable.
Thank you all.
Kathleen
My sound track for this moment
Traditional Music for this moment
I was driving to SCI Rockview, just outside of State College, PA to attend a vigil for Terrance Williams who was scheduled for execution at 7PM. I've never been happier to have to turn around and return home so far into a road trip. When I answered my cell phone I was holding my breath and just said, "And?" I heard that the PA Supreme Court had upheld that stay of execution and that I could turn around and go home. I pulled over and just shook for a few minutes.
Now that I'm back home, and even before I start reading the news, I am writing to say thank you all for everything that you have been doing for Terry. I only know a tiny fraction of what you've been doing, but, I'm sure Terry appreciates every bit that you have done.
There will be more work ahead soon, both for Terry and for the two other men PA is trying to execute this year. For now, please take a few minutes to ponder how much difference we can make when we all work together on a task that seemed so unachievable.
Thank you all.
Kathleen
My sound track for this moment
Traditional Music for this moment
Monday, October 1, 2012
Actions for Terrance Williams
Please review your options for taking actions in support of Terry Williams.
Rally Tuesday, 10/2/12 at the DA's office
Vigil at Rockview (the death house) near State College Wednesday 10/3/12 and a
Phone and twitter action tomorrow and Wednesday -- phone # & sample messages below
Rally Tuesday, 10/2/12 at the DA's office
Vigil at Rockview (the death house) near State College Wednesday 10/3/12 and a
Phone and twitter action tomorrow and Wednesday -- phone # & sample messages below
Remember that our goal here
is to save Terry's life and all messages should focus on why Terry
should be granted clemency, NOT on the death penalty in general. General
anti-death penalty messages will hurt, not help, right now.
Rally at Philadelphia
DA’s office Tuesday, 10/2/12
12:30 PM Gather in the downstairs of the Arch Street Methodist Church, 55 North Broad St., Philadelphia
for case update, introductions and instructions.
If you are able to come earlier to help, we'll be there at 11:15 AM making signs, etc.
1:15 PM Depart for the DA’s office - (Juniper @ South Penn Square, by City Hall) at approximately 1:15 PM. Speakers and chanting
for case update, introductions and instructions.
If you are able to come earlier to help, we'll be there at 11:15 AM making signs, etc.
1:15 PM Depart for the DA’s office - (Juniper @ South Penn Square, by City Hall) at approximately 1:15 PM. Speakers and chanting
Some people will be assembling outside of DA’s office at
11:30 AM, too. If you have a choice, I'd recommend coming to the church at 12:30 PM so we can march as a group. It's also dry inside the church.
Vigil at Rockview Wednesday,
10/3/12
Gather at 5 PM and remain until approximately 8 PM. More
info on exact location will be posted soon.
To volunteer extra time, ask questions, raise concerns, provide feedback:
Julie Southwell, Field Organizer, Amnesty International USA JSouthwell@aiusa.org 917-348-8439
Please leave one or both of us a message if
we don’t answer.
Phone Action: Tuesday, 10/2/12
Call 215-686-8000. You’ll get a voicemail menu. Select option 3 and leave your message.
Sample phone messages:
We in Pennsylvania should be especially sensitive to victims of childhood sexual abuse. How can your office punish Terry Williams for not speaking out sooner? He should spend his life in prison, not be executed.
DA Seth Williams has done so much to protect the rights of victims of all kinds of abuse. I am shocked that he is pursuing the death sentence against Terrance Williams rather than pushing for a new fair sentencing trial phase.
The rape of a child is NOT the same as “taking advantage of him.” The DA should be ashamed of himself for mischaracterizing it in that way. Don't deny that rape is rape. Terry Williams should not be executed. As a citizen, don't kill him in my name.
As a citizen, I'm asking that the DA stop the execution of Terrance Williams. Rape is rape!
Rape is rape and the DA knows it. Terrance Williams should not be executed.
Phone Action: Tuesday, 10/2/12
Call 215-686-8000. You’ll get a voicemail menu. Select option 3 and leave your message.
Sample phone messages:
We in Pennsylvania should be especially sensitive to victims of childhood sexual abuse. How can your office punish Terry Williams for not speaking out sooner? He should spend his life in prison, not be executed.
DA Seth Williams has done so much to protect the rights of victims of all kinds of abuse. I am shocked that he is pursuing the death sentence against Terrance Williams rather than pushing for a new fair sentencing trial phase.
The rape of a child is NOT the same as “taking advantage of him.” The DA should be ashamed of himself for mischaracterizing it in that way. Don't deny that rape is rape. Terry Williams should not be executed. As a citizen, don't kill him in my name.
As a citizen, I'm asking that the DA stop the execution of Terrance Williams. Rape is rape!
Rape is rape and the DA knows it. Terrance Williams should not be executed.
Terrance Williams deserves clemency, not execution.
District Attorney Seth Williams, Shame on you! Rape is rape. Childhood rape
victim Terrance Williams deserves clemency, not execution.
After prosecuting child rapists in Philadelphia, the District Attorney should know the trauma it causes
the victims. Don't execute Terrance Williams.
Tweets for tomorrow
You’ll notice that the same tweets are directed to @Seth4DA
and @ . The first one is the handle
from his campaign and is still used widely. The second one goes to the DA’s
office. Please use both version. Using the @sign at the beginning of a tweet means
that it will show up in his inbox as a personal message as well as show up on
twitter where others can see it. The link in the tweet is to the petition for
clemency. We still want people to sign it because it goes to the Gov, the DA
and the Board of Pardons.
@Seth4DA No "ghoulish glee?" Then grant #clemency
to #TerranceWilliams. Stop the
#execution. http://chn.ge/RMLmd3
@Seth4DA Rape is rape and you know it. #Terrance
Williams should not be executed. #clemency http://chn.ge/RMLmd3
@Seth4DA
#Terrance Williams deserves #clemency not #execution. http://chn.ge/RMLmd3
@Seth4DA You prosecuted child rapists & know the trauma
it causes victims. Don't execute #TerranceWilliams http://chn.ge/RMLmd3
These will go to the
DA’s office twitter account
@Philly_DAsOfc #TerranceWilliams deserves #clemency not #execution
http://chn.ge/RMLmd3
@Philly_DAsOfc No "ghoulish glee?" Then grant
#clemency to #TerranceWilliams. Stop the
#execution.
http://chn.ge/RMLmd3
@Philly_DAsOfc Rape is rape and you know it.
#Terrance Williams should not be executed. http://chn.ge/RMLmd3
@Philly_DAsOfc You prosecuted child rapists & know
trauma of the victims. Don't execute #TerranceWilliams http://chn.ge/RMLmd3
Put venom aside in Williams case
This letter from our friend, Phyllis Pautrat, appeared in today's Philadelphia Inquirer
I'm not sure why District Attorney Seth Williams seems so angry about the Terrance Williams case ("Making the case for Williams' execution," Sunday). His office has processed many cases involving adults sexually abusing children, children who took years to come to terms in any healthy way with being subjected to rape by an adult.
Terrance Williams was barely 18 years old when he committed his crimes. Some never are able to come to terms with abuse in any healthy way, and perhaps Williams is in that category. Credible experts have agreed that this abuse happened, and it happened while Williams was a child, the last time just months past the age that the U.S. Supreme Court has recently ruled is acceptable for people to be executed.
The district attorney ought put his venomous words and thoughts aside, respect the possibility that Terrance Williams was brutalized as a child, and thus recommend that he be kept in prison but not executed.
Phyllis Pautrat, Mount Laurel, ppautrat@comcast.net
I'm not sure why District Attorney Seth Williams seems so angry about the Terrance Williams case ("Making the case for Williams' execution," Sunday). His office has processed many cases involving adults sexually abusing children, children who took years to come to terms in any healthy way with being subjected to rape by an adult.
Terrance Williams was barely 18 years old when he committed his crimes. Some never are able to come to terms with abuse in any healthy way, and perhaps Williams is in that category. Credible experts have agreed that this abuse happened, and it happened while Williams was a child, the last time just months past the age that the U.S. Supreme Court has recently ruled is acceptable for people to be executed.
The district attorney ought put his venomous words and thoughts aside, respect the possibility that Terrance Williams was brutalized as a child, and thus recommend that he be kept in prison but not executed.
Phyllis Pautrat, Mount Laurel, ppautrat@comcast.net
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