[CUADPUpdate] Take Action & This & That!

[Abraham J. Bonowitz]

Sent *ONLY* to the recipients of CUADPUpdate
Feel Free to Forward


Greetings All,

I mentioned this case last week.  I suppose one can't expect the 
movement to go all out in every case, but the Innocence Project is on 
top of this one.  In any case, there's less than 20 hours to TAKE 
ACTION - please do so ASAP!

<http://dalewisely.googlepages.com/darrellgraysonexecutionalert>http://dalewisely.googlepages.com/darrellgraysonexecutionalert

Darrell Grayson is scheduled to be executed at 6pm 
tomorrow.  Editorials in Alabama newspapers have argued for a stay; 
the <http://www.phadp.org/ip.pdf>INNOCENCE PROJECT has written to the 
Governor, asking for a stay and offering to pay for all DNA testing.

The Governor is looking at this case.

There is no more time to write.  Fax or call Governor Riley and ask 
that he stay the execution of Darrell Grayson and order DNA testing.

Governor Bob Riley


No time left to write!!
Call:   (334) 242 7100
Fax:  334-353-0004


<http://dalewisely.googlepages.com/alabamaariseondarrellgrayson>Statement 
from Alabama Arise

<http://dalewisely.googlepages.com/birminghamnewsondarrellgrayson>BIRMINGHAM 
NEWS editorial (7/22/07)

1st 
<http://www.al.com/huntsvilletimes/stories/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1184318280284480.xml&coll=1>HUNTSVILLE 
TIMES editorial


2nd 
<http://www.al.com/opinion/huntsvilletimes/dperson.ssf?/base/opinion/1184923074129890.xml&coll=1>HUNTSVILLE 
TIMES editorial

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And Here's Some This & That....

Execution Chamber Video
Two Announcements from AIUSA
Walk to Stop Executions
Texas 100 Update
Death of a Friend

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EXECUTION CHAMBER VIDEO

Video Footage Released of Execution Facility in North Carolina

RALEIGH - Captured on film, the warden of North Carolina's Central 
Prison (Marvin Polk) narrates the preparation and final hours before 
an execution in Raleigh, where the state execution facilities are located.

Warden Polk takes members of the press through the prison, detailing 
hour-by-hour the preparation, and carrying out, of a 2:00 am 
execution. Footage includes the deathwatch area, the table where the 
last meal is taken, the final holding cell, the IV preparation room, 
the witness room, and footage of Warden Polk and Captain Marshall 
Hudson wheeling the gurney into the execution chamber.

The short film includes candid discussion by the warden about the 
role of doctors in lethal injections as well as his own feelings on 
overseeing the executions.

Before each North Carolina execution (Fridays at 2:00 am, when 
scheduled), Central Prison offers a media tour on the preceding 
Monday morning to explain the execution protocol and answer questions 
from the press.

The film was shot during a media tour in November 2005, between the 
executions of Steven McHone (11/11/05) and Elias Syriani (11/18/05) 
by Scott Langley, a Boston-based photojournalist who has been 
documenting the death penalty for nearly ten years.

Watch the full 10-minute video at:
http://www.langleycreations.com/photo/deathpenalty/video.html

(a shorter edited 3-minute video focusing on the role of doctors is 
also available for viewing at the above link)

Contact:
Scott Langley, Langley Creations Documentaries
www.langleycreations.com/photo
photo at langleycreations.com

************



TWO ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM AIUSA

NATIONAL WEEKEND OF FAITH IN ACTION

This October 19-21, hundreds of faith communities, interfaith 
organizations, and human rights groups will participate in Amnesty 
International USA's tenth annual National Weekend of Faith in Action 
on the Death Penalty (NWFA).  Set aside some time during this weekend 
for an activity or event that focuses on the death penalty, using the 
ideas and resources provided by AIUSA as your guide.  Participants in 
the NWFA will receive a DVD of the film "Race to Execution", 
information on other films and speakers, resources for reflection, 
discussion and action, and helpful tips on organizing for the NWFA 
and beyond.  Participants will also learn about the perspectives of 
various faith traditions on the death penalty, and will receive 
contact information for groups or individuals active on the death 
penalty in their state.  Please help us organize this nationwide 
examination of the death penalty!

Read more about the NWFA: 
<http://www.amnestyusa.org/faithinaction>www.amnestyusa.org/faithinaction
Register for the NWFA: 
<http://www.amnestyusa.org/faithinaction/register.html>www.amnestyusa.org/faithinaction/register.html 



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TROY DAVIS HEARING SCHEDULED

On July 16, less than 24 hours before Troy Davis was scheduled to be 
executed in Georgia, the state Board of Pardons and Paroles issued a 
temporary stay of execution, to be not longer than 90 days, "for the 
purpose of evaluating and analyzing" the information submitted to it 
during the 9-hour clemency hearing earlier in the day.  That 
information included compelling evidence that Troy Davis may in fact 
be innocent.  The parole board has scheduled a new hearing for August 9.

Troy Davis was sentenced to death for the murder of Police Officer 
Mark Allen McPhail; a murder he maintains he did not commit. There 
was no physical evidence against him and the weapon used in the crime 
was never found. The case against him consisted entirely of witness 
testimony and, since then, all but two of the state's nine non-police 
witnesses have recanted or contradicted their testimony. Many of 
these witnesses have stated in sworn affidavits that they were 
pressured or coerced by police into testifying or signing statements 
against Troy Davis.

Technicalities and time-limits in the Federal appeals process have 
meant that no court has ever held a hearing on this recanted 
testimony.  Now, despite these huge, unresolved doubts, only clemency 
can stop the execution of a man who may well be innocent.

Please send a message, as soon as possible and definitely before 
August 9, to the Georgia State Board of Pardons & Paroles urging them 
to grant clemency for Troy Davis.

Go to: <http://www.amnestyusa.org/troydavis>www.amnestyusa.org/troydavis

Or write to the Board at:

State Board of Pardons and Paroles
2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, SE
Suite 458, Balcony Level, East Tower
Atlanta, Georgia, 30334-4909
Fax: (404) 651-5282

Act today to stop this execution!

***************



WALK TO STOP EXECUTIONS

Please support the Walk to Stop Executions

<http://walktostopexecutions.blogspot.com/>http://walktostopexecutions.blogspot.com/


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TEXAS 100 UPDATE

SO FAR:  22 DONORS, 11 OF THEM AT $100.

HERE'S THE CHALLENGE:  Please join CUADP in going to 
http://www.tcadp.org/donate.php to use your credit card to send $100 
to the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty.  If you prefer 
to give by check, send it to TCADP at 2709 South Lamar 
Blvd.,  Austin, TX 78704.

I'd like to see 100 gifts of $100 to TCADP (or another Texas 
Abolitionist Group) by July 31st, if not sooner, just from people 
(and organizations) on this list.  Can't swing $100?  How about 100 
quarters ($25)?  Or 100 dimes ($10)?

I should note that it's Saturday night as I send this.  I have not 
spoken to anyone in Texas or anywhere else about this idea.  I'm just 
doing it.  I can't imagine they will complain.... Obviously, because 
I don't see TCADP's information and in fact because I have no formal 
relationship with TCADP other than being a supporter/donor, the only 
way I can track how this campaign is going is if you send me an 
e-mail confirming your participation.  I'm not listing names, but I 
will follow up this message several times between now and July 31 to 
update our progress.  Just send me a note saying you made a gift to 
TCADP (or another Texas Abolitionist group) and tell me the amount 
you have sent.

I gave CUADP's $100 to TCADP and noted it should be considered "general funds."

A few alternative groups to give to - let me know if I am missing any!:

Texas Death Penalty Abolition Movement - checks only, to s.h.a.p.e. 
center, 3903 almeda road, houston, tx  77004

Texas Moratorium Network - http://www.texasmoratorium.org/ - and 
click on DONATE

Texas Defender Service - http://www.texasdefender.org/contribute.asp

Gulf Region Advocacy Center - http://www.gracelaw.org/support.html

Texas Students Against the Death Penalty - 
http://www.texasabolition.org/ - and click on DONATE

The upcoming Texas Journey of Hope ...From Violence to Healing - 
http://www.journeyofhope.org/pages/support.htm - be sure to indicate 
that your gift is for the Texas Journey!

*****************

100 gifts of $100 on the occasion of the 100th Harris County 
killing.  It's both symbolic and meaningful.  We can do this.  Please 
join me.  Thank you.

--abe


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DEATH OF A FRIEND

Harmon Wray - RIP.

I send a hug to our friends in TN and beyond who know Harmon Wray - a 
leader and friend who influenced me in both thought and action on 
numerous occasions....

--abe

Visitation will be Friday evening, July 27 at Edgehill UMC in 
Nashville. 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.  The Memorial Service will be Saturday 
morning, July 28 at 10 a.m. at Belmont

*******************

>In Memory of Harmon Wray
>
>Harmon Wray, a tireless crusader to end the death penalty, suffered 
>a massive stroke yesterday and will be removed from life support 
>this afternoon. Harmon was an organizing member of TCASK and has 
>been relentless in his work to end the death penalty in our state.
>
>Harmon was a champion for prison reform and upholding the dignity of 
>those who are incarcerated. As a teacher and author, he educated 
>countless numbers of people concerning the myriad problems with our 
>current criminal justice system. As adjunct faculty of Vanderbilt 
>Divinity School, Harmon created and coordinated a class at Riverbend 
>Maximum Security Institution, comprised of both Vanderbilt students 
>and inmates. Harmon was also a founder of the Restorative Justice 
>Coalition of Tennessee, seeking to transform the current criminal 
>justice system from a system primarily focused on punishment to one 
>which facilitates healing and restoration.  Most recently, he 
>authored, Beyond Prisons:  A New Interfaith Paradigm for our Failed 
>Prison System.
>
>Harmon was formerly with the Tennessee Conference Correctional 
>Ministries staff of the Methodist Church and the General Board of 
>Mission. Harmon continued to be an active member of Edgehill United 
>Methodist Church.
>
>Harmon Wray followed the way of Jesus to the end, still giving of 
>himself, even in death as an organ donor. He took Jesus' call to 
>visit the prisoner to heart and spent his life as a fierce advocate 
>for those who are incarcerated.  I count him as a mentor and a 
>friend, and today my heart is very heavy as I cannot imagine the 
>world without him. Still, I know that Harmon's spirit will remain 
>with us and will continue to inspire all of us as we struggle 
>together to end the death penalty in Tennessee.
>
>This past Sunday night at a dinner, Harry and Karan Simpson took 
>this picture of Harmon.  It is a beautiful picture that captures the 
>grace and good will that he emanated every day of his life.  It can 
>be found 
><http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=154106771&u=1496576>HERE.
>
>
>Stacy Rector
>Executive Director
>Tennessee Coalition to Abolish State Killing
>PO Box 120552
>Nashville, TN 37212
>615-256-3906
><mailto:stacy at tcask.org>stacy at tcask.org
>www.tcask.org

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Yours in the Strruggle,

--abe