DPF Updates

Death Penalty Focus
870 Market St. Ste. 859 San Francisco, CA 94102
Tel. 415-243-0143 - Fax 415-243-0994 - http://www.deathpenalty.org

Good News!

Moratorium Bill and Aid to the Innocent Act Pass Out of 1st Assembly Committee!

On January 10, 2006, the California Assembly Public Safety Committee voted 4-2-1 to support the "California Moratorium on Executions Act" (AB1121) (Leno, Goldberg, Hancock, and Dymally voted to support the bill, Cohn abstained and Spitzer and LaSuer voted against the bill)

The committee voted 6-1 in favor of the "Aid to the Innocent Act" (AB 851). (Leno, Goldberg, Hancock, Dymally, Cohn and Spitzer voted to support the bill, and LaSuer voted against it.) Both bills will now move to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, where they will likely be voted on next week. (To contact members of this committee and urge them to support these bills, visit http://www.assembly.ca.gov/acs/newcomframeset.asp?committee=43 )

Please also contact the Assembly members who voted in favor of these bills to thank them for having the courage to support these bills. Please also encourage Assemblymembers Cohn and Spitzer to consider supporting the moratorium bill.

Mark Leno, Chair, Dem-13 (916) 319-2013 Assemblymember.leno [at] assembly.ca.gov Rebecca Cohn, Dem-24 (916) 319-2024 Assemblymember.Cohn [at] assembly.ca.gov Mervyn M. Dymally, Dem-52 (916) 319-2052 Assemblymember.dymally [at] assembly.ca.gov Jackie Goldberg, Dem-45 (916) 319-2045 Assemblymember.Goldberg [at] assembly.ca.gov Todd Spitzer, Rep-71 (916) 319-2071 Assemblymember.spitzer [at] assembly.ca.gov Loni Hancock, Dem-14 (916) 319-2014 Assemblymember.hancock [at] assembly.ca.gov

New Jersey Passes Moratorium Bill!
The New Jersey Assembly passed a bill calling for an immediate suspension of executions and the creation of a death penalty study commission on Monday, January 9, 2006 with a vote of 55-21, with two abstentions. The Senate approved the bill by a vote of 30-6 last month. The Governor is expected to sign the bill this week. The bill had bipartisan legislative support.

The 13-member study commission will have until November to report on whether the death penalty is fairly imposed and whether alternatives would ensure public safety and address the needs of victims' families. There are 10 prisoners on New Jersey's death row. While capital punishment was reinstated in the state in 1982, the last execution in New Jersey took place in 1963.


Action Alert!

Please take 30 seconds to write a letter to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to ask him to grant clemency to 75-year-old, wheelchair-bound, nearly blind death row inmate Clarence Ray Allen. Allen is scheduled to be executed on January 17, 2006 at 12:01am.
To send a letter, click here: http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizations/ncadp/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=1735



Upcoming Events

JANUARY 11-15, 2006
THE EXONERATED
Come see the award-winning play, THE EXONERATED.
Written and Directed by Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen
National Tour Directed by Jon Kellam
At REDCAT, the Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater
Tickets & Information: 213 237-2800
Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater
631 West 2nd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012


JANUARY 13, 2006
The State of the Death Penalty in California
What: Democratic Luncheon Club
Topic: "The state of the death penalty in California”
When: Friday, January 13th, 2005
Admission: FREE, Bring a sack lunch. Where: Democratic Headquarters
136 Carousel Mall (Lower Level near glass elevator),
Corner of Second and G Streets, downtown San Bernardino
Who: Carolyn Boyle, coordinator, Inland Empire Chapter of Death Penalty Focus
Click to see a MAP
Click for more info


JANUARY 13 & 20, 2006 & FEBRUARY 3, 2006
Theatrical Release of Award-Winning Documentary "After Innocence"
The film will premiere in select cities on the following dates:

Jan. 13, 2006 - Los Angeles - NuArt Theater
Jan. 13, 2006 - Sacramento - Creat Theater
Jan. 20, 2006 - San Francisco - Lumiere Theater
Jan. 20, 2006 - Berkeley - Act I & II Theater
Feb. 3, 2006 - San Diego - Ken Theater

AFTER INNOCENCE tells the dramatic and compelling story of the exonerated - innocent men wrongfully imprisoned for decades and then released after DNA evidence proved their innocence. The film focuses on the gripping story of seven men and their emotional journey back into society and efforts to rebuild their lives. Included are a police officer, an army sergeant and a young father sent to prison and even death row for decades for crimes they did not commit. The men are thrust back into society with little or no support from the system that put them behind bars. While the public views exonerations as success stories - wrongs that have been righted - AFTER INNOCENCE shows that the human toll of wrongful imprisonment can last far longer than the sentences served.

For more information, please visit the film's website: http://www.afterinnocence.com/index.html


JANUARY 16, 2006 (MLK Jr. Day) - AM
Walk For Abolition
The 25 Mile Walk For Abolition begins promptly at 7am rain or shine at the Palace of the Legion of Honor, in Lincoln Park, 100 -34th Avenue, San Francisco, 94122. The group walks peacefully over the Golden Gate Bridge, proceeds through Sausalito, Mill Valley, Larkspur, Greenbrae, into San Rafael and ends at the main east gate of San Quentin at 6 pm.

You can join the Walk at designated rallying points. Escort vehicles accompany the walk. You will need comfortable shoes, warm layered colorful clothing, flashlight. Back pack with a change of socks, shoes, extra clothing etc. We stop for refreshments. Escort cars carry back packs and walkers in need of rest.

Rallying Points:

6:45am Palace of the Legion of Honor, in Lincoln Park, 100 34th Ave, San Francisco, 94122. Walk leaves promptly at 7am.

8:00am South End of Golden Gate Bridge.

8:55am North End of Golden Gate Bridge.

10:40am Head of Bay Trail in Sausalito leading to Mill Valley

11:45am Miller Avenue and Camino Alto for lunch and demonstration.

2:30pm St. Sebastian Church, 373 Bon Air Road, Greenbrae. Rest Stop. Drinks provided.

3:15pm St. Paul’s Church, 1123 Court Street, San Rafael. Rest Stop. Refreshments provided.

6:00pm East Gate of San Quentin State Prison.

For further information, please contact: Lyle Grosjean (510) 895-8203 or wejustwalk [at] aol.com. To find out the exact location and progress of the Walk, please call (510) 368-3368.



JANUARY 16, 2006 (MLK JR. Day) - PM
STATEWIDE PROTESTS AGAINST THE SCHEDULED EXECUTION OF CLARENCE RAY ALLEN

San Quentin State Prison
Rally and vigil will begin at 8:00pm
EAST GATE OF SAN QUENTIN
You can park on Francisco Blvd. E. but expect to walk 1-2 Miles to get to the East Gate of San Quentin.
Dress warmly and bring a flashlight.
Contact: stefanie [at] deathpenalty.org or 415-243-0143

Los Angeles
RALLY AT 6:00 P.M.
WESTWOOD FEDERAL BUILDING
11000 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90024 (Corner of Veteran)
MARCH at 8:30 P.M. from Westwood Federal Bldg. to a nearby Church for a VIGIL
Contact: EDeBode [at] la-archdiocese.org

Sacramento
VIGIL FROM 10PM to 12:30AM
State Capitol Building
11th & L Streets
Contact: stellalevy [at] sbcglobal.net

Fresno
Vigil begins at 5:30 PM
Location in Fresno TBA
Contact: maria.telesco [at] att.net

Riverside
Prayer Vigil for the Culture of Life
St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Church
Brockton & Arlington
Riverside, CA 92506
9:00pm - 12:30am
Contact: don [at] deacondon.us

Orange
Circle of Orange
Chapman and Glassell Streets
5 PM – 12:15 AM
City of Orange
Orange County
Contact: janurban [at] adelphia.net

Pasadena
Vigil Against the Death Penalty
All Saints Church
132 N. Euclid Avenue
Pasadena, CA
8:30-10:00 PM
Contact: mtermaat [at] earthlink.net

Palo Alto
Vigil against the scheduled execution of Clarence Allen.
4 PM – 7PM
Bring candles, signs, and warm clothing.
Some participants may choose to carpool to San Quentin.
Corner of El Camino Real and Embarcadero Road.
Palo Alto, CA
More info: marycklein [at] yahoo.com

Berkeley
Death Penalty Teach-In on the Jewish Perspective on the Death Penalty
7:30PM
Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center
1414 Walnut Street, Berkeley
$5 suggested donation
Speakers include Rabbi David Cooper, Rabbi Yair Silverman, Elisabeth Semel director of the Death Penalty Clinic at Boalt Hall, Darryl Myers, father of a homicide victim, Lola Vollen, co-editor with Dave Eggers of Surviving Justice: America's Wrongfully Convicted and Exonerated, and Carole Hyman, Jewish chaplain at San Quentin.
Sponsored by Progressive Jewish Alliance, Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center, and Kehilla Community Synagogue
More info: ALevine [at] pjalliance.org

San Diego
Vigil
Hall of Justice
330 West Broadway
San Diego, CA 92101
3:45pm - 7pm
Contact: SGhelardi [at] aol.com

San Rafael
Interfaith Service at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
1123 Court Street
San Rafael, CA
7 pm

San Rafael
Interfaith Prayer Vigil at Dominican Sisters’ Center
1520 Grand Avenue
San Rafael, CA
8 pm - 10:30pm
They will carpool to the East Gate of San Quentin to join the vigil there at 11 pm.
For further information, call (415) 454-6491.

Santa Barbara
Candle-light vigil
7pm to 9pm
Meet in front of Borders
900 State Street
Santa Barbara, CA

El Cerrito
Interfaith Prayer Vigil
St. John the Baptist
11150 San Pablo Ave.
El Cerrito, CA
7:30-8:30pm
Refreshments and Carpool to San Quentin available.

Los Angeles
LA Catholic Worker Vigil
LA Criminal Courts Building
300 N. Spring at Temple
Los Angeles, CA
4pm-6pm
Contact the LA Catholic Worker at 323-267-8789

San Luis Obispo – Two Events
1) Vigil
Noon to 1pm
In front of the Government Center on Monterey St.
More info: fnolan [at] calpoly.edu

2) Candle light vigil
Mission Plaza (near the church steps)
7pm until 9pm
Contact: John McAndrew (805) 904-9027 or Ryan Alaniz (805) 544-2357

Ventura
Candlelight vigil for Clarence Ray Allen and the Abolition of the Death Penalty
Ventura County Government Center
Telephone Road and Victoria Avenue, Ventura, CA
6:00 p.m.
Bring a candle
More info: DavidHoward [at] aol.com

San Francisco - Two Events
1) Prayer Vigil for Clarence Ray Allen
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Sisters of the Presentation Chapel
2340 Turk Blvd. (Turk and Masonic)
San Francisco, CA
Those wishing to carpool may leave from the vigil.
For more information - Sr. Nancy McLaughlin 415-664-3691

2) Prayer Vigil on the Eve of the Execution of Clarence Ray Allen
When: Monday, January 16 at 2:00 p.m., concludes with evening prayer 3:30 – 3:50 p.m.
Where: Chapel of the Nativity, Grace Cathedral, 1100 California Street at Taylor, San Francisco
Information: http://www.gracecathedral.org or 415-749-6370

San Bernardino
Diocesan Pastoral Center
1201 E. Highland
San Bernardino, CA 92404
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Silent Candle light vigil
7:00 - 8:00 p.m. prayer service
Contact: jarnquist [at] sbdiocese.org

Apple Valley
Our Lady of the Desert
18386 Corwin Rd.
Apple Valley, CA 92307-2328
7:00 - 8:00p.m. Prayer Service
8:00 - midnight silent vigil
Contact vschweiger [at] sbdiocese.org

If you would like to organize an event in your city or add an already planned event to our calendar, please contact stefanie [at] deathpenalty.org
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JANUARY 19, 2006
SPECIAL PRE-SCREENING OF AFTER INNOCENCE

5:00 – 7:00pm Pre-Screening Reception
Red Devil Lounge
1695 Polk Street (at Clay)
21+ valid ID required for entry.Food and drinks provided.

7:30pm Screening
Lumiere Theatre
1572 California Street (at Polk)

The Sundance award-winning documentary After Innocence tells the dramatic story of the exonerated – innocent men wrongfully imprisoned for decades and then released after DNA proved their innocence. The film focuses on the gripping story of seven men and their emotional journeys back into society and efforts to rebuild their lives.

GET TICKETS NOW! http://www.deathpenalty.org/index.php?pid=AfterInnocence

Angel Ticket: $125. Includes one ticket to the benefit screening and talkback, the pre-screening reception and a copy of Surviving Justice, signed by Co-editors Dave Eggers and Dr. Lola Vollen.

Patron Ticket: $75. Includes one ticket to the benefit screening and talkback and the pre-screening reception.

Supporter Ticket: $50. Includes one ticket to the pre-screening reception only.

Friend Ticket: $35. Includes one ticket to the benefit screening and talkback after the film.



FEBRUARY 6, 2006
THE DEATH PENALTY & PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS: AN EVENING WITH BILLY NEAL MOORE
An evening of discussion about the death penalty with Billy Neal Moore, who spent 16 ½ years on Georgia’s death row.

Date: Monday, February 6th
Time: 7 pm – 9 pm
Where: 2350 6th Avenue (Bankers’ Hill; corner of Kalmia & 6th, one block south of Laurel.) Community Room (No handicapped access)

RSVP: Ronnie Friedman-Barone, rfriedbar [at] earthlink.net, 619.546.9875.


February 11, 2006
Taking Back the Truth
The ACLU Foundation of Southern California is holding an all-day Membership Conference, "Taking Back the Truth," on Saturday, February 11, 2006 at Loyola Law School. Registration begins at 9:15 a.m. and the program begins at 10:00 am. A wine and cheese reception will follow the conference.

Featured speakers include Anthony Romero, the executive director of the National ACLU; Harold Meyerson, editor at large of the American Prospect and political editor of L.A. Weekly; and former death row inmate Billy Moore. In addition, the conference will hold several panels on a range of current civil liberties and civil rights issues.

Tickets are $35 -- this includes a continental breakfast, lunch, and the wine and cheese reception. Parking is $3/car at the event site. A limited number of student tickets are available.

Complete information about the program and a registration form can be found at: http://www.aclu-sc.org/Events/101370/


FEBRUARY 24, 2006
SISTER HELEN PREJEAN
Author of Dead Man Walking and the Death of Innocents: An Eyewitness Account of Wrongful Execution

With a special introduction by
Dean Alan Jones

Friday, February 24th
7PM
Grace Cathedral
1100 California Street
San Francisco, California 94108

No Reservations Required – Open Seating
Suggested Donation: $15
No one turned away for lack of funds.

More information: 415-243-0143

Sponsored by: California People of Faith Working Against the Death Penalty, Death Penalty Focus, Amnesty International USA and Grace Cathedral.

With the support of: American Friends Service Committee and many others.

PRINT A FLIER


APRIL 7-9, 2006
The Faces of Wrongful Conviction:
A Conference Examining Wrongful Convictions and the Administration of the Death Penalty in California
UCLA School of Law
Los Angeles, CA

The Faces of Wrongful Conviction Conference, hosted by the UCLA School of Law, will facilitate the first-ever gathering of California's wrongfully-convicted and exonerated individuals. In addition, new research will be presented on the causes and prevalence of wrongful convictions and the systemic racial and geographic disparities in the application of the death penalty in California. The conference will also offer a series of workshops on the causes of wrongful conviction (i.e., snitch witnesses, mistaken eyewitnesses, junk science, etc.), the administration of the death penalty, and opportunities for action.

Speakers include:

-> Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld, Co-Directors of the Innocence Project at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and co-authors of Actual Innocence: Five Days to Execution, and Other Dispatches From the Wrongly Convicted
-> Michael Radelet, death penalty scholar and Professor of Sociology, University of Colorado
-> Stephen Bright, Executive Director, Southern Center for Human Rights
-> Lawrence Marshall, founder of the Center on Wrongful Conviction at Northwestern Law School and Professor of Law, Stanford University
-> Robert Weisberg, Professor of Law, Stanford University
-> Richard Leo, Professor of Criminology, Law & Society, UC Irvine
-> Richard Dieter, Executive Director, Death Penalty Information Center
-> Bryan Stevenson, Executive Director, Equal Justice Initiative of Alabama
-> Craig Haney, Author of Death by Design, Professor of Psychology, UC Santa Cruz
-> Sam Gross, Professor of Law, University of Michigan
-> Stuart Banner, Author of The Death Penalty: An American History and Professor of Law, UCLA
-> Dr. Lola Vollen, founder, Life After Exoneration Project and author of Surviving Justice: America's Wrongfully Convicted and Exonerated
-> Michael Schill, Dean, UCLA School of Law
-> Rafael Perez-Torres, Professor of Chicano Studies/English, UCLA, author of Memories of an East L.A. Outlaw: To Alcatraz, Death Row, and Back
-> Ellen Kreitzberg, Director of the Death Penalty College, Santa Clara University School of Law
-> Diann Rust-Tierney, Executive Director, National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty
-> Bill Kurtis - Invited
-> Ken Starr - Invited


For more information: http://www.stopwrongfulconvictions.org/







Stefanie L. Faucher
Program Director

Death Penalty Focus
870 Market St. Ste. 859
San Francisco, CA 94102
Tel. 415-243-0143
Fax 415-243-0994
mailto:stefanie [at] deathpenalty.org
http://www.deathpenalty.org
http://www.californiamoratorium.org