[FADPUpdate] May Events

[melliott3 at aol.com]

Friends,

May is a busy month.  Following the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision upholding Kentucky's lethal injection protocol, our Governor and Attorney General are pressing the courts for a quick restart of Florida executions.  (see: http://www.fadp.org/news/2008042403/).  Execution dates are already set in Georgia (May 6), Virginia, Texas and Mississippi.  More are expected soon.  

Today, May 5, in a stark contrast that underscores the very real risk of fatal mistakes, a federal appeals court in Cincinnati has upheld an order releasing Tennessee Death Row inmate Paul House, who has been imprisoned nearly 22 years.  The U.S. Supreme Court had overturned his conviction two years ago, but Tennessee kept him in prison anyway.  House has been in a wheelchair for several years due to advanced MS.

...and on Saturday, May 3, Leavon Jones of North Carolina became the 129th person freed from our nation's Death Rows due to wrongful conviction.  Florida leads the nation with 26 exonerations of wrongfully-convicted Death Row prisoners...so far.

Upcoming events and actions...some in your area.  Everyone is welcome.  Please attend and support. Tell your friends. There are excellent speakers and films available for events statewide. Please let FADP know if you would like to plan, hold or announce an event. We will help. 

Shine the light,

---Mark
 
CONTENTS:

May 6 - GAINESVILLE - GCADP POT LUCK & CARD SIGNING
May 9 & 10 - ORLANDO - FESTIVAL OF FAITH
May 14 - ST. PETE - FILM SCREENING
May 18 - GAINESVILLE  - UU DISCUSSION GROUP
May 20 - TALLAHASSEE - TCADP ANNUAL MEETING
May 21 - GAINESVILLE - NE FLA DP STRATEGY MEETING

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ANNUAL BIRTHDAY CARD SIGNING AND POT LUCK - GAINESVILLE - MAY 6

Hosted by Gainesville Citizens for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (GCADP), Tuesday, May 6 at 6:00 pm in the Upper Room of Hurley House.  At this event birthday cards are signed for all of the people on Florida's Death Row.  This is also an opportunity to socialize with other aboltionists, so please bring a main course dish to share.

Hurley House is behind St. Augustine's Catholic Student Center (1738 W. University Ave.), off 1st Ave. at the East end of the parking lot behind the Church.  Parking is free, just tell the attendant that you are there for a meeting.

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DEATH PENALTY INFO AT FESTIVAL OF FAITH - ORLANDO - MAY 9 & 10

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orlando's first annual Festival of Faith will be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando May 9 & 10 and will include a booth and exhibits by Our Lady Of Lourdes Parish of Daytona Beach.  This is a parish that is active on ending the Death Penalty and, with the help of the Orlando Diocese, sends a busload of activists to execution vigils at the Florida State Prison at Starke.  FADP has been invited to assist with presentating their theme of "Justice."  We will be displaying the bell that is tolled at each Florida execution and providing Florida Death Penalty educational materials.  Stop by and say hi!

25,000 people are expected at the event. 

More info at: http://www.orlandodiocese.org/festival/index.htm

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AT THE DEATH HOUSE DOOR - ST. PETE - MAY 14

Wednesday, May 14 at 8:30 pm, FADP is sponsoring a special preview screening party to watch and discuss IFC's amazing new documentary, "At the Death House Door."  This is the inspirational true story of the remarkable journey of Pastor Carroll Pickett who was spiritual advisor to prisoners on Texas' Death Row during 95 executions.  It is also the compelling story of Carlos De Luna, who was executed for a crime for which new evidence and testimony now reveal a strong case for his innocence.  FADP will be hold a Q & A and discussion on the film and Florida's Death Penalty.  Free. Refreshments provided.

Cafe Bohemia, 937 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. (727) 895-4495.  8:30 pm.  Discussion begins earlier.

"At the Death House Door" will premier on the Independent Film Channel (IFC) on May 29th at 9:00 pm.  Please arrange a screening of this very important, extremely well made documentary for your group.  For more on the film: http://www.ifc.com/atthedeathhousedoor.

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U U FELLOWSHIP DISCUSSION OF THE DEATH PENALTY - GAINESVILLE - MAY 18

Sunday May 18th, 9:30-10:45 am: The Unitarian Unversalist Fellowship of Gainesville will welcome anti-Death Penalty organizer Jeanne Rewa of Equal Justice USA to the morning discussion group.  Learn about the current state of the Death Penalty in the US and why the Death Penalty debate is heating up.  Join in the open discussion.  Find out what citizens and groups are doing and what you can do to get involved.  All opinions on the Death Penalty welcome!

4225 N.W. 34th St.,  Gainesville. (352) 377-1669.

http://www.uuf.org/

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TCADP ANNUAL MEETING - TALLAHASSEE - MAY 20


Tallahassee Citizens Against the Death Penalty (TCADP) will hold their annual meeting on Tuesday, May 20th at 7:00 pm in the Westminster Room of First Presbyterian Church.  There will be refreshments and socializing followed by a report on what has taken place during this year.  Elections will be held followed by a screening of a 30 minute film on the Death Penalty from the ACLU Freedom Files called “Freedom to Live.”

First Presbyterian Church, corner of Park Ave. and Adams St., Tallahassee. (850) 222- 4504.

http://tcadp.net/

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NE FLORIDA REGIONAL STRATEGY MEETING - GAINESVILLE - MAY 21

The 4th Northeast Florida Regional Anti-Death Penalty Strategy Meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 21st from 6 to 8 pm at Reitz Union on the University of Florida campus in Gainesville.  Join in to learn what is being done in this region and statewide to stop the Death Penalty and how you can help!  The Reitz Union is located on Museum Rd., with free after-hours parking nearby.  For a map, directions, and parking info, go to: 
http://www.union.ufl.edu/information/directions/

Contact FADP for more info.

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Thanks to those who take action and support the work of FADP. 
Every donation is important. 
Any amount helps. 

 
Mark Elliott, Executive Director 
Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, FADP.org 
 
2840 W. Bay Drive, #118 
Belleair Bluffs, FL 33770 
(727)215-9646 
mark at fadp.org