In This Edition:
Scheduled Executions
Upcoming Events
Recent News
New Resources
Calendar
Scheduled Executions
April 26: Beunka Adams
May 2: Anthony Bartee
Respond to each execution by attending a vigil in your community. Learn more at https://tcadp.org/get-involved/stop-executions/
Upcoming Events
Death Row Exonoree Juan Melendez Returns to Texas!
“Death Penalty No Más”, a speaker’s tour featuring death row survivor Juan Roberto Melendez-Colon, will visit faith communities, classrooms, and civic groups throughout San Antonio from April 12-15, 2012. A native of Puerto Rico, Mr. Melendez spent 17 years, 8 months, and 1 day on Florida’s death row for a crime he did not commit. He was exonerated and released from death row on January 3, 2002 after the discovery of a long-forgotten transcript of a taped confession by the real killer.
Visit https://tcadp.org/juan-melendez-speaking-tour/ for a list of events that are open to the public. Please support the tour — and help us compensate Juan for his time and expenses — with your generous donation to TCADP!
April 23 Event at Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas to Feature Anthony Graves
On Monday, April 23, 2012, TCADP Advisory Board member and exonoree Anthony Graves will join Dr. Frederick D. Haynes, III for a conversation about how he survived 18 years in prison, including 12 years on death row in Texas, for a crime he did not commit. This special event will take place from 6:30 to 7:30 PM at Friendship-West Baptist Church, 2020 W. Wheatland Rd., Dallas, Texas 75232. It is free and open to the public. Share the flier with your friends and family!
TCADP members in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex also will have a chance to visit with Anthony, TCADP Executive Director Kristin Houlé, and NCADP Texas Campaign Coordinator Anita Grabowski on Sunday, April 22, 2012. We plan to host an informal gathering that afternoon (5:00 to 7:00 PM), during which you’ll have a chance to learn more about upcoming initiatives and our strategy for shifting the climate in Dallas County. More details coming soon!
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week: “Extending the Vision: Reaching Every Victim”
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week will be observed from April 22-28, 2012. A resource guide (in English and Spanish) is available from the Office for Victims of Crime, which is part of the U.S. Department of Justice. Visit http://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw/ for more information. Contact Chris Castillo with Murder Victims’ Families for Reconciliation for details about events in Texas: ccastillo@mvfr.org.
Recent News
United States Remains One of World’s Top Executing Nations, According to Amnesty International
On March 27, 2012, Amnesty International released its annual report on death penalty developments worldwide. According to Amnesty, at least 676 people were executed in 20 countries in 2011, compared with 527 executions in 23 countries in 2010. Countries with the highest number of recorded executions include Iran (at least 360 people), Iraq (68), Saudi Arabia (at least 82), Yemen (at least 41), and the United States (43). These figures do not include China, where executions are considered a state secret. Read more.
2012 TCADP Spring Quarterly Newsletter
In this issue:
Bexar County Campaign hosting Juan Melendez Tour
Facebook/Twitter Interview with Anthony Graves
Voices of Texas National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
Death Penalty Developments
TCADP Annual Conference Wrapup
TCADP Member Highlight – Bryand Spencer, El Paso
News from the Field
New Resources
Forty Minutes of Pure Inspiration
Looking for some inspiration and encouragement to stay the course for this long-term struggle to end the death penalty? Check out the presentation that Bryan Stevenson, Founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative in Alabama (and one of the most amazing speakers you’ll ever hear!), delivered last month to TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design).
Additional thought-provoking comments can be found from University of Houston Law Center Professor, defense attorney, and 2011 TCADP Champion of Justice David Dow, who delivered a talk to TEDx Austin on February 17, 2012.
Each presentation is about 20 minutes long – and worth every minute!
The Last Words: Texas Death Row Inmates’ Final Statements
GOOD news has created an interesting “infographic” that illustrates the most common words used in the final statements of Texas’ death row inmates. The most prominent word? “Love.” View it here.
Throw a Snoball!
Snoball is a new application made to make giving easier and lots of fun! In addition to standard monthly and one-time donations, you can create your own way of giving. By creating “giving Snoballs”, you can bring giving into the everyday. Imagination is your only limitation. Some examples include:
- Every time I go to my coffee shop, I give $1 to TCADP
- When I work out, I’ll give $1 to TCADP
- When my team wins, I’ll donate $5 to TCADP
- When someone follows me on Twitter, I’ll give 50 cents to TCADP
Creating a Snoball takes just a few seconds. Once it’s completed, you’ll be notified whenever your Snoball is triggered. You can modify and delete Snoballs at any time.
Create a Snoball and give to TCADP today!
Calendar
April
1 Odessa Chapter Meeting, 4:00pm odessa@tcadp.org
4 “Remembering Kandy Kirtland: A Mother’s Journey after Murder” Lunch discussion with Jan Brown, Vicki McCuistion and Rich Woodward at Texas A&M, College Station. Public invited, Rudder 402, Noon-1:30
11 Respect Life Fair, St Edward’s University, Austin
12-15 Juan Melendez Speaking Tour, Bexar County
18 Dallas Chapter Meeting, 7:00pm, dallas@tcadp.org
22-28 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
23 Anthony Graves – Friendship West Baptist Church, Dallas
26 Scheduled Execution: Beunka Adams
28 “First Amendment Day Celebration” 1:00—4:30pm, TriPoint – San Antonio (TCADP Tabling)
30 El Paso Chapter Meeting, 6:00pm, elpaso@tcadp.org
May
2 Scheduled Execution: Anthony Bartee
6 Odessa Chapter Meeting, 4:00pm odessa@tcadp.org
8 Puro Slam – Poetry on the death penalty, San Antonio
8 Restorative Justice Program, Trinity UMC, Austin 7:00pm
11-12 Gulf Coast ELCA Synod Assembly, Houston
16 Dallas Chapter Meeting, 7:00pm, dallas@tcadp.org
16 Scheduled Execution: Steven Staley
26 DFW International Festival
28 El Paso Chapter Meeting, 6:00pm, elpaso@tcadp.org
For more information about these events or to volunteer, email info@tcadp.org.
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