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Nationwide
call demands Ohio's governor pardon Lucasville prisoners Proponent,
opponent debate death penalty Protest
on death row Panel
wants contact rights for death row inmates Photos
of the 2008 Ohio State Penitentiary MLK Rally Inmate
rights group plans conference, rally
On Sun., Jan. 14, in spite of drenched clothing and the state's videocameras, a crowd of about 80 people maintained their high spirits at the driveway into the Ohio State Penitentiary in Youngstown, OH. As a protest against the death penalty in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's birthday (Jan.15), it seemed appropriate that the sounds of "We Shall Overcome" rose up from the group, led by the activist community group Black on Black Crime from Cleveland which had brought a large contingent. They also led the crowd in their trademark chant of "No truth! No justice! No peace!" Soon after that, additional chanting started up around the huge "Stop the Executions!" banner, "What do we want? To end the death penalty! When do we want it? Now!" In addition to the local groups strongly represented, Youngstown Prison Forum, LOOP (Loved Ones Of Prisoners), and Youngstown Peace Action, Cleveland organizations were there in force. The Cleveland Lucasville Five Defense Committee, one of the sponsoring organizations, arranged for a van and coordinated a car caravan. The Cleveland Coalition Against the Death Penalty brought people and signs. And Black on Black Crime provided not just many carloads, but all of the energy to match. Look out, State of Ohio, here they come! Many people were there because of a prisoner letter campaign in which prisoners did outreach to other prisoners and to family and friends to bring people to the rally. As relatives held up signs with their loved ones' names, it became a way to network for future organizing to cement a coordinated strategy for success. Some of the mothers have set up a website of their own, www.ourfight4justice.com. Check it out. Sunday's
rally was a kickoff to a new campaign and a new era. We have a new
governor in Columbus. We have a new level of coordination and energy.
We will be challenging the barbaric, racist death penalty which
targets the poor and murders the innocent. And we will be making
our case for the overturning of all Lucasville rebellion-related
convictions which were false and unjust in the first place. Thirteen
years in solitary confinement is way more than long enough for crimes
these men did not commit in the first place. We're on the move! ***
Death
penalty opponents protest at state prison YOUNGSTOWN
- About 50 opponents of the death penalty gathered outside the Ohio
State Penitentiary to send a message. "We have a new governor,"
said Susan Schnur, 49, of Cleveland. "We're hoping this is
a starting point. We want Governor Strickland to see us." 'Lucasville five' Besides
their general opposition to the death penalty, the protesters also
were trying to raise public attention of "the Lucasville five." Reasons for opposition Carl
Miller, 19, of Berea said he joined because he thinks capital punishment
is a "tool of the rich."
*** Ohio's first execution of the year is scheduled for next week. But some don't want it to happen now or ever. Today those against the death penalty held a peaceful protest in Youngstown. About 30 anti -death penalty protesters hold signs and chant in front of the gates at the Ohio State Penitentiary in Youngstown; home to Ohio's death row. "I don't believe the human race should be playing God. God would not want this. It's wrong we should not be judging people." Said protest or Shirley Saunders of Euclid. Next week Kenneth Biros is expected to die by lethal injection in Lucasville unless the Governor wants more time to review the case. Biros killed Tammy Engstrom back in 1991 and scattered her body parts around Trumbull County. Engstrom's sister Debi Heiss says in regard to the protest., "Let them bring Ken Biros home with them and give him a few knives and put him in a locked room with one of their loved ones for an hour...Then maybe they would change their opinions." Heiss adds, "The case has caused a financial burden on them as well as emotional...What about the victim's." Story
Created: Jan 14, 2007 at 6:45 PM EST
Event:
Martin Luther King Day Anti-Death Penalty Vigil Transportation
is being organized from Cleveland in the form of either a charter
bus or vans. For reservations, call (216) 481-6671 or email: pfcenter@sbcglobal.net Sharon
Danann *** *** |
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