Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine has commuted the death sentence of Percy Walton, who was scheduled to be executed tonight (6/10/08) at 9pm for his murders of Jessie Kendrick, Elizabeth Kendrick and Archie Moore. Late yesterday afternoon, Gov. Kaine commuted Percy Walton’s death sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole, citing Walton’s severe mental illness. You can read the Governor’s statement here.
OTHER UPCOMING EXECUTIONS
Texas is expected to resume executions tomorrow night, and several others are scheduled this month. Visit NCADP.org for a schedule of upcoming executions and action opportunities.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIRECT ACTION ON THE EAST COAST
If you are willing to sweat, get wet, bake in the sun, and have some fun while meeting and working with other committed abolitionists, consider joining in part or all of the following events.
OR… if a little suffering for the cause is not your cup of tea, or these events don’t fit your availability, then please become a co-sponsor and help spread the word to others you know who might want to participate.
First, starting June 15: Pilgrimage and Walk of Remembrance 2008:
“Making Strides toward Abolition and Reconciliation”
Join with and/or co-sponsor this 300-mile walk from Raleigh to Washington, DC organized by Nazareth House, a Catholic Worker house ministering to the families of people on death row. It is a spiritual pilgrimage and walk of remembrance – remembering murder victims and their families, people on death row and their families, persons executed and their families and calling for abolition of the death penalty.
Begins in Raleigh on June 15. Concludes in Washington, DC on June 29
To learn how you can help and participate click here.
And that walk is schedule to arrive at the start of Starvin’ For Justice: the 15th Annual Fast and Vigil to Abolish the Death Penalty at the U.S. Supreme Court
June 29 – July 2, All day and into the evening, each day on the sidewalk in front of the U.S. Supreme Court.
“Starvin, for Justice ’08” is the 15th Annual Fast & Vigil to Abolish the Death Penalty at the US Supreme Court. The event is a four day fast & vigil maintaining a presence at SCOTUS, the Supreme Court Of The United States. Some of the participants fast during this time, but fasting is not required. We encounter thousands of visitors to the Court and share our message that no matter how you slice it, the death penalty is BAD PUBLIC POLICY. Much of the time is spent talking to individuals and creating visibility. Several larger events are held at key times during the event to highlight specific concerns, with a series of speakers each evening to educate, enlighten and entertain.
Those who participate in the full event arrive on June 28 and depart on July 3. June 29 and July 2 are anniversaries of key death penalty decisions: June 29th is the anniversary of the Furman v. Georgia decision in 1972, in which the U.S. Supreme Court found the death penalty to be arbitrary and capricious. More than 600 condemned inmates had their death sentences reduced to life. All states were required to re-write their death penalty laws. July 2nd is the anniversary of the Gregg v. Georgia decision in 1976 which allowed the resumption of executions in the United States.
To see photos and videos from past years and get more information, CLICK HERE.