The Lamron: Student attends Anti-Death Penalty conference in Texas

Below is an article in The Lamron, the student newspaper of SUNY-Geneseo, written by Colleen Farrell, one of the students who attended the 2010 Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break organized by Students Against the Death Penalty and Texas Moratorium Network. Colleen is the student who introduced the six death row exonerees who spoke at the press conference that was held March 18 at the Texas Capitol. 

Three flights after leaving New York, I arrived in an overcast Austin, Texas. I was literally and figuratively a bit lost.

My decision to attend the Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break was what some might call impulsive. I had booked my flights a mere three weeks earlier, despite the fact that I had never been to Austin and didn't know anyone else going. I knew that the "traditional" college spring break didn't really appeal to me though, and I wanted to do something with significance lasting beyond the pictures I would take to document it with.

Over the course of the week, I spent time with six exonerated former death row inmates, family members of innocent men on death row and several experts and members of death penalty abolition groups. The strategic location of the conference - in a state notorious for its long record of capital punishment - reinforced the message of its organizers: Federal- and state-sanctioned killing is wrong, and must be opposed by regular citizens if there's any hope of stopping it.

I soon found out that my fellow attendees all resided in Texas, and many were surprised by my interest, perhaps because we treat the death penalty a little different "up here." Despite the lack of diversity in terms of location though, everyone had compelling reasons for being there and came from very different backgrounds.

We wasted no time diving right into the heart of the issue, having received a call from a death row inmate just two hours into the conference. Though I knew what the program entailed, I was unprepared for how personal it became.

Spending a week in the presence of those who are directly affected by the death penalty was quite emotional. Through them, I got a firsthand look at the injustice of the law of parties, the severe underfunding and poor organization of the mental health system and the healing journey that many murder victims' families embark on, which often amazingly results in many of them deciding that the death penalty isn't moral, with some even fighting for its abolition.

The week culminated in a press conference, lobbying visits and rallying at the state capital and through downtown Austin. We received very mixed reactions from the general public. While some gave us strong support, others expressed their sentiments through generous use of some colorful words.

Though I have been involved in human rights activism since high school, it wasn't until this trip that I directly immersed myself in a cause. I don't know if capital punishment reform will be my main focus in the future, but I definitely came away from my trip with a newfound disrespect for the death penalty and awareness of the ways in which the capital punishment system is seriously flawed, particularly in Texas.

I encourage anyone who is looking for a truly unique experience to explore the many alternative spring break programs offered all over the country because, as I learned, Cabo can wait. Those biding their time on death row can't afford to.

Colleen also hosted the exoneree press conference at Texas Capitol on behalf of all the students participating in the alternative spring break. Press conference video is posted Youtube and Facebook.

Part 1: Death Row Exonerees at Spring Break Press Conference.

Part 2: Death Row Exonerees at Spring Break Press Conference Q&a



Part 3: Death Row Exonerees at Spring Break Press Conference Q&A

Live Streaming of Protest at Texas Capitol on March 24 if Hank Skinner Does Not Get a Stay

If there is not a stay of execution for Hank Skinner today either from the Supreme Court or by Rick Perry, then there will be a protest in Austin at the Texas Capitol starting at 5:30. Call the governor at 512 463 2000 and urge him to issue a stay.

We will be at the Capitol protest with a video camera and attempt to stream video of the protest here. The pictures may not be perfect and it may not work at all or we may run out of battery, because we will be streaming from a smartphone using 3G over ustream.tv. But we will give it a try. If it does not work, at least we will have tried.

Our channel on Ustream is here.

Protest the Execution of Hank Skinner March 24th

TEST THE DNA!

Texas State Capitol at 5:30
Wednesday, March 24th, pending a stay of execution
11th and Congress

So far, no decision has been issued by the Supreme Court or Governor Perry. Time is running out, and Texas needs to do the right thing and TEST THE DNA!

http://www.hankskinner.org

WRITE, FAX OR CALL GOVERNOR RICK PERRY - DEMAND A STAY AND DNA
TESTING FOR HANK SKINNER:

Governor Rick Perry
Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711-2428
Fax: 512-463-1849

Main number: 512-463-2000
Website email contact form/ http://www.governor.state.tx.us/contact/

or use the online letter signing page set up by the Innocence Project
here:
http://www.change.org/innocence_project/actions/view/
order_dna_testing_for_hank_skinner

From our press release:

Members of Campaign to End the Death Penalty are in support of the call for full testing of the DNA evidence in the Hank Skinner case, and join the call for a stay of execution.

Why won't the State of Texas and the prosecutors in Gray County allow crucial DNA evidence in this case to be tested? Although Hank Skinner was convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of his girlfriend Twila Busby in 1993, ample evidence DNA evidence exists that – if tested – could finally prove his claims of innocence.

At the crime scene police collected fingernail clippings, a rape kit, knives, a bloody dishtowel and a man's sweat soaked windbreaker (which was found near the body). None of this evidence has ever been tested. In fact the state and prosecutors have fought to keep the evidence untested, arguing that he missed his chance to request DNA testing during the original trial.

Recently, Skinner's request for relief from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals was denied, and his execution date has been set for Wednesday March 24th. According to Hank's attorney Rob Owen "We remain hopeful that the U.S. Supreme Court, which has often found it necessary to correct egregious injustices in Texas capitol cases, will intervene to protect Mr. Skinner's right to pursue that DNA testing in federal court. We also trust the Governor Perry, having heard the voices of Texans insisting that the death penalty not be carried out while there are unresolved doubts about a defendants guilt, will do the right thing and postpone Mr. Skinner's execution until all the facts are in."

After the scandal that has erupted involving the case of Cameron Todd Willingham and the evidence that an innocent person has been executed in Texas, why would the state want to take a chance that they could be executing an innocent man? There is no logic to this, unless Texas is bent on upholding the use of the death penalty at all costs, including executing the innocent.

Alternative Spring Break: Learning how to participate in the legislative process

The following is the third and last blog post by James Tate, a student at the University of Texas at Dallas, for the Dallas Morning News. You can also read Part 1 and Part 2 of this series online.

It was the final day of the Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break, and they say that all good things must come to an end. But fortunately for us, our mission doesn't end here. We have gained essential tools and personal stories to share with a public that tends to develop generalized opinions based on a snap-shot of the issue.

On this final day, we were first introduced to Vincent Villano from Campus Progress (campusprogress.org), that helps students on campuses around the country mobilize their student bodies for an array of issues and policies they believe in. He guided us through a workshop that loaded our tool belt with effective means of communicating with the press, some insight into giving press conferences, and how to speak in "sound bites" when giving an interview with a reporter. The media filters interviews in search of quick impactful statements that make for good viewing. Together the spring breakers collaborated on a message toolbox to develop our very own message, and the results would later pay off.

Media Workshop with Vincent VillanoVincent Villano of
Campus Progress at the Center for American Progress.

Much importance was paid to conveying our message - and to the right people. Legislators and their staff are combated with a variety of issues by numerous lobbyists on any given day in the Capitol. We were obliged to spend some time with Alison Brock, Chief of Staff to Texas State Representative Sylvester Turner. She was just as humorous as she was knowledgeable and her demeanor brought some much needed laughter to the students. I was shocked to see how few students were aware of who their representatives were. She guided us to www.house.state.tx.us , and accordingly to www.senate.state.tx.us to locate the legislators in our districts. "Relationships drive your agenda," Ms. Brock shared, and reminded us that it isn't always about what you know, but more importantly who you know. It was remarkable to get an inside perspective of the actions that will actually get a response from the representatives and their aides.

Lobbying Workshop with Alison Brock, Chief of Staff to Texas
State Representative Sylvester Turner.

Our official press conference and panel discussion began at 11:00 a.m. and the anxiety seemed to return to the students. The difference between workshops in the Communications building on the UT campus, and a media-filled room in the Capitol are incomparable. Our location was the Texas House Speaker's Committee room and poised in front of a wall mural of the Texas emblem, our eyes gazed as each exoneree delivered their story. Although we had heard each of these stories prior, the astonishment of these travesties resonates still. It is a humbling experience to stand in front of a man standing 6 feet 2 inches tall as tears roll down his face. I think the realness of this conference finally settled in.


Fox 7 coverage of the Alternative Spring Break.

We were given the opportunity to scatter throughout the Capitol in our grassroots attempt to lobby. Being that the Texas Legislature is not in session, few legislators were available, but just walking down the halls breeds confidence. The experience sparked something in the students and reminded us that the distance between us and our elected officials is not all that broad. The Capitol is an open public building and with names posted outside the door, one can literally walk right into their representative's office. Is it really that easy? Yes and no. Gaining access to staff seems to be considerably easier that gaining access to the representative themselves, but the ability is there and with a little determination gaining some one-on-one time is most likely reachable. Perhaps I will return during session.

The climax to our day, and the conference as a whole, occurred at 5:00 pm when we gathered on the South steps of the Capitol. Once again, at a podium, the exonerees along with guest speakers from other anti-death penalty organizations delivered quick impactful synopsis of their personal stories. The turnout was greater than I imagined. Media was in tow and amazingly tourists halted even if for a moment to hear the commotion. My attention caught an older woman who had stopped for a moment to listen. She appeared to be somewhat shocked by what she was hearing, perhaps a little appalled. Whatever her reasoning she picked up a protest sign and joined the others on the steps. Does it simply take a little understanding to grasp the injustice that is taking place? Our rally gave way to a march down Congress Avenue, through Sixth Street, and back again. The energy was electric, and the SXSW participants seemed more than welcoming to our sign and chants. Some applauded and some joined in for a block or two. This was a refreshing end to a loaded week. Our mission ended with a call for justice. Our voices were loud and our hearts pounded with the opportunity to be part of the process.

Bill Pelke of Journey of Hope from Violence to Healing, talks
during the capitol rally.

All in all, this experience was moving. I had the opportunity to learn details about the death penalty and it cemented by previous convictions of its wrongness. I met six people who had lived the hell that we had talked about all week. I met students from all over the country that shared my opinions and speakers from different organizations that donated their time to sharing their expertise. If someone unaware were to have looked into the room were meeting in all week, they would have witnessed our very own Breakfast Club. There was the ex-military, the preps, the outcasts, the overachievers, the laid-back "silent-but-deadly", and the amateur journalist documenting it all. Each from our own background, with our own ideals and stereotypes, we were most definitely unique. But however distinct we were, our purpose was common. We all believe that the death penalty is barbaric and archaic, and should be abolished in the same manner as slavery and lynching. I don't believe in murder in any form - be it a citizen or the State. Murder is murder, and it is not the right of any government to use it on its citizens.

Students leaving the Texas Capitol.

6th Street: A marching band and several SXSW attendees join the protest.

Video: 10th Annual March to Abolish the Death Penalty

Exonerated death-row inmates and family members of inmates on death-row leaded the 10th Annual March to Abolish the Death Penalty on October 24, 2009 at the Texas Capitol in Austin.

Click here to watch the video on YouTube

Video of Last Night's Protest in Austin as Reginald Blanton was Executed in Huntsville; Reginald's Mother and Supporters from their Chuch Attended

Last night in Austin, Reginald Blanton's mother and members of her church from San Antonio joined more than 60 supporters at the Texas Capitol to stand protest as the execution of her son was taking place in Huntsville Texas. Also in attendance to protest the execution were two innocent, exonerated former death row prisoners, Shujaa Graham and Curtis McCarty. Shujaa spent 3 years on death row in California and Curtis spent 19 years on death row in Oklahoma.

Reginald's last words:

Yes I do. I know ya'lls pain, believe me I shed plenty of tears behind Carlos. Carlos was my friend. I didn't murder him. This what is happening right now is an injustice. This doesn't solve anything. This will not bring back Carlos. Ya'll fought real hard here to prove my innocence. This is only the beginning. I love each and everyone dearly. Dre My queen. I love you. Yaws, Junie I love yall. Stay strong, continue to fight. They are fixing to pump my veins with a lethal drug the American Veterinary Association won't even allow to be used on dogs. I say I am worse off than a dog. They want to kill me for this; I am not the man that did this. Fight on. I will see ya'll again. That's all I can say.

Reginald became the 442nd person executed in Texas since 1982 and the 203rd person executed since Rick Perry took office. Rick Perry himself was in New York last night, so he does not very care much about his responsibilities as governor when it comes to capital punishment.

Watch video of last night's protest on YouTube. The video was taken by Hooman Hedayati.



Anna Terrell also delivered a powerful speech at the 10th Annual March to Abolish the Death Penalty Saturday calling for Rick Perry to stop the execution of her son and calling for an end to capital punishment (video on YouTube).

"Images from Texas Death Row " Exhibit at Texas Capitol May 18-22

Please come to the opening day reception for the exhibit of John Holbrook's death row photographs in the Texas Capitol at 6 PM on Monday and the artist's talk at 7 PM.

"Images from Texas Death Row" to be Exhibited in the Ground Floor Rotunda of the Texas Capitol
Monday, May 18 - Friday May 22

Event: Images from Texas Death Row "The Photography of John Holbrook"
Sponsor: Texas Friends and Allies Against the Death Penalty
Dates: May 18 - May 22

Where: The Texas State Capitol Building in the 'Ground Floor Rotunda' (Take elevator down to G)

Reception May 18 at 6 PM in the Texas Capitol Members Lounge - Extension, Room E2.1002 (Take elevator down to E2)

Artist's Talk May 18 at 7:00 p.m. in the Ground Floor Rotunda

Photographer John Holbrook
johnholbrook@sbcglobal.net

Artist’s Statement

These images are of current Texas death row inmates. The photographs were taken in 2008 at the Polunsky and Gatesville units. Ultimately, the message I wish to convey through my art, is simple. The only way we can truly stop suffering is to love and forgive those who have caused that suffering. I have chosen to photograph both those who are clearly guilty of the crimes for which they have been condemned as well as some who have claims of innocence. Guilt or innocence is irrelevant to the point I wish to make with these photographs. My photography is intended to communicate the idea of forgiveness. I want to share this liberating truth that I have learned.

As a private investigator for 17 years, I work capital murder cases. In 1995 I was assigned to a case involving the double homicide of a North Texas teenage couple. The victims were tortured and murdered. I worked on the defense team for one of the defendants. While working the case, I spent hours examining the crime scene evidence, including graphic photographs. Some years later, I started to experience anxiety when I saw anything remotely similar to the injuries done to the victims.

I sought help from a psychologist regarding this anxiety. I was told I likely had Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The doctor determined that my photography at that time, pictures of homeless and social outcasts shown in a spiritual light, was a subconscious attempt to correct the 'bad pictures' I saw while working the capital murder case .

Ultimately, I learned that I could overcome PTSD by loving and forgiving those who had caused it.

Some family members of murder victims choose to honor their loved ones by asking prosecutors not to seek the death penalty. However, in other cases in order to get a death sentence, prosecutors sometimes argue that the victim’s loved ones endorse the death of the accused. It is said that the surviving loved ones, “Need closure”. Through my pictures, I argue that this disables the survivors’ ability to forgive and accept reconciliation with the person in the future. To me, execution is a grave injustice. Execution virtually denies us the ability to forgive and reconcile with the convicted in the future … ultimately denying everyone involved the ability to stop suffering.

I maintain that it takes a work of art to ultimately address the collective consciousness. Art is a wonderful medium to encourage and enhance civic engagement and dialogue. It was Uncle Tom’s Cabin that spoke and turned the tide against slavery in America. I hope that my images will modestly follow in its footsteps. I aspire to help turn the tide against the death penalty.

New Mexico abolished the death penalty in 2009. New York and New Jersey have also abolished the death penalty in recent years. Last week, the House of Representatives in Connecticut voted to abolish the death penalty. In 2009, there were two bills filed in the Texas House of Representatives to abolish the death penalty.

www.holbrookphoto.com

Lobby Day Against the Death Penalty at the Texas Capitol

Tuesday March 24, 2009
Texas State Capitol
11th and Congress
Austin, Texas

Register for Lobby Day!

People from across Texas are coming to Austin on Tuesday, March 24, for a Death Penalty Reform Lobby Day to speak with legislators about the injustice of the Texas death penalty system. Issues to be discussed include the risk of executing an innocent person (HB788), the need for a moratorium on executions (HB 913, HJR 24), abolition of the death penalty (HB 297, HB 682), the Law of Parties (HB 304, HB 2267), and impeaching Sharon Keller (HR 480).

Please register to let us know you are interested in coming to Lobby Day on March 24. Registration is not mandatory, but it will help us make plans if we know how many people to expect. You can also just show up at any of the day's events.

The Lobby Day will include a press conference at 1 PM and a rally on the South Steps of the Capitol at 5:30. Many family members of people currently and formerly on death row plan to participate in Lobby Day events.

Advocating an end to death sentences under the Law of Parties is the primary focus of the Lobby Day. In 2007, the death sentence of Kenneth Foster was commuted to life by Governor Perry. Foster had been sentenced to death under the Law of Parties even though he never killed anyone. Family members of Kenneth Foster, Jeff Wood and others convicted under the Law of Parties will meet with members of the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence and other legislators to urge them to approve HB 2267 and HB 304, both of which would end the death penalty under the Law of Parties.

A group of citizen lobbyists will also meet with members of the House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence to urge them to approve HR 480, which would create a House select committee to determine if Sharon Keller should be impeached. Keller, presiding judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, has until March 24 to send her response to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct regarding charges that she violated her judicial duties by declining to accept an after-hours appeal from a death row inmate in 2007.

Jeanette Popp, whose daughter was murdered in Austin in 1988, will participate in Lobby Day. Two innocent men were convicted of the murder of Ms. Popp’s daughter. Ms Popp’s new book, entitled “Mortal Justice”, was published on March 1, 2009. Her book tells the story of her daughter’s murder, the wrongful convictions of two innocent men, their exonerations, and the eventual trial and conviction of the real killer. Ms Popp visited the real killer in jail prior to his trial and told him that she did not want him to receive a death sentence. He was sentenced to life.

The death penalty was abolished by New Mexico just last week.

Lobby Day Schedule

10 AM – Noon: Lobbying Training Workshop Location:
University of Texas at Austin Sanchez Building (College of Education) in the Cissy McDaniel Parker Dean's Conference Room. This is a short 7-8 minute walk from the capitol. Google map of route from capitol to training location.

1 PM: Press Conference in the House Speaker's Committee Room 2W.6 in the Capitol

2 – 5 PM: Group lobbying visits to legislative offices

5:30 PM: Rally on the South Steps of the Capitol

Sponsored by: Sponsored by Texas Moratorium Network, Texas Death Penalty Abolition Movement, Campaign to End the Death Penalty - Austin Chapter, Texas Students Against the Death Penalty, Texas CURE, the Student Prison Caucus, the Eye & Tooth Project: Forum Theatre on the Death Penalty, Kids Against the Death Penalty, People Organized in Defense of Earth and Her Resources (PODER) and the Friends Meeting of Austin.

Flyer for Lobby Day Against the Death Penalty March 24 Austin Texas

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Politics & Governmen Presentations & Slid death penalty

In addition to registering by clicking above, you can subscribe for text message updates on Lobby Day below

Get your own at TextMarks!

Sponsored by Texas Moratorium Network, Texas Death Penalty Abolition Movement, Campaign to End the Death Penalty - Austin Chapter, Texas Death Penalty Education and Resource Center, Students Against the Death Penalty and the Student Prison Caucus. (If your organization would like to participate or be one of the Lobby Day sponsors, contact us at 512 961 6389 or by email to admin@texasmoratorium.org)

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Please call the following members of the subcommittee on Capital Punishment and say that you want the committee to approve HB 2267, the Law of Parties bill.

Members of the Subcommittee on Capital Punishment

Robert Miklos, Chair of Subcommittee on Capital Punishment
District 101 (Dallas County-part)
Email for for Miklos
Phone: 512-463-0464; FAX: 512-463-9295

Wayne Christian, District 09 (Shelby, Nacogdoches, San Augustine, Sabine, Jasper Counties)
Email for for Christian
Phone: 512-463-0556; FAX: 512-463-5896

Joseph Moody, District 78 (El Paso County-part)
Email for for Moody
Phone: 512-463-0728; FAX: 512-463-0397

Pete Gallego
Email for for Gallego
Phone: 512-463-0566; FAX: 512-263-9408

Terri Hodge (Sponsor of Law of Parties bill, so no need to contact her)

Complete video of Witness to Innocence's press conference at the Texas Capitol

On Friday, 24 exonerated ex-death row prisoners from across the country held a news conference to call for the establishment of a statewide commission on wrongful convictions while a moratorium is imposed on executions in Texas. They spent a combined total of nearly 200 years on death row for crimes they did not commit. They were joined by State Rep. Elliott Naishtat and former Bexar County District Attorney Sam Millsap. Naishtat (D-Austin) is a longtime supporter of a moratorium on executions, while Millsap has become an outspoken critic of the death penalty since the 1993 execution of Ruben Cantu, who many believe was innocent. Both KUT and Statesman covered the event.

Witness to Innocence's press conference at the Texas Capitol

Witness to Innocence's Friday news conference should be available for viewing at:
http://www.house.state.tx.us/media/welcome.php

It will be the Live Stream from the Speaker's Committee Room. The news conference is scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Central Daylight Time. Real Player is required for viewing the webcast.

Also TSADP will post the complete video on youtube after the event.
- - - - -

MEDIA ADVISORY: October 27, 2008
CONTACT: Kurt Rosenberg, 215-609-9462 or 215-387-1831

EXONERATED EX-DEATH ROW PRISONERS CALL FOR EXAMINATION OF TEXAS DEATH
PENALTY SYSTEM

Two dozen exonerated ex-death row prisoners from across the country
will hold a news conference to call for the establishment of a
statewide commission on wrongful convictions while a moratorium is
imposed on executions in Texas.

WHEN: 2:00 p.m., Friday, October 31, 2008

WHERE: Speaker's Committee Room. Room 2W.6 Texas State Capitol

DETAILS: The 24 men are members of Witness to Innocence, a national
organization composed of exonerated former death row prisoners and
their loved ones. They spent a combined total of nearly 200 years on
death row for crimes they did not commit. They will be joined by
State Rep. Elliott Naishtat and former Bexar County District Attorney
Sam Millsap. Naishtat (D-Austin) is a longtime supporter of a
moratorium on executions, while Millsap has become an outspoken critic
of the death penalty since the 1993 execution of Ruben Cantu, who many
believe was innocent.