Death Penalty Abolition Updates

From Celeste Fitzgerald:

Death penalty abolition bills are under consideration in several states - Maryland, New Mexico, Montana, Kansas, and Colorado!

We in New Jersey know what its like when a campaign is nearing the finish line and the pressure is high. Our friends and colleagues in other states came through for us during our campaign, from phone banking our supporters to sending donations, and more. They never let us down.

Now, we have a chance to return the favor. Please take a few minutes to do what you can to help the state campaigns, below. They each have different needs so please follow the actions carefully.

Thank you. New Jersey's decision to abolish the death penalty was a special moment in our nation's history. Here's hoping these states will soon make repeal of capital punishment a national trend!

The Montana Senate recently passed a death penalty abolition bill. The House is expected to take up the bill in the coming weeks. Our friends in Montana have asked for our help on another online poll. Please just take a moment to vote here: http://www.kulr8.com/ Scroll about half way down and you will see the poll on the right hand side. We are losing at the moment so please vote soon as we don't know how long this poll will be open.

Also, it is all hands on deck in Maryland! Our friends in Maryland report that the Maryland Senate will take up an abolition bill this Tuesday! They are asking for Maryland residents to take action NOW. Please think about who you know in Maryland and ask them to take just a minute to email their Senator. They can do so easily at www.mdcase.org/ They should then followup with a phone call. The General Assembly switchboard is 1-800-492-7122 (toll free in Maryland) The message to their Senator is this: "Please vote for a fair vote in the full Senate AND vote for repeal."

Our friends in New Mexico, where a death penalty repeal bill passed the House and is heading for a vote in the Senate, are asking for letters to Governor Bill Richardson. This action is for everyone, regardless of where you live in the U.S. I just wrote my personal note to Governor Richardson! I hope you will write a quick, encouraging note too. Here is the action:

Please take a few minutes RIGHT NOW to thank Governor Richardson for openly reconsidering his position on the death penalty, and urge him to support a repeal of the death penalty and enhancing support for murder victim families. Contact NM Governor Bill Richardson at:Office of the Governor490 Old Santa Fe TrailRoom 400Santa Fe, NM 87501Fax: (505)827-3026Email: gov@gov.state.nm.us.nm.us

If you know anyone in Kansas, please send them this action:

1. Contact your Kansas State Senator in Topeka. Urge him or her to support SB 208 to abolish the death penalty.
2. Contact your Kansas State Representative and urge him or her to support HB 2351 to abolish the death penalty.You can find the names of your legislators by clicking here and following links to the Senate and House rosters and legislator email. You also can find out your legislators' info via the Toll free Legislative Hotline at 1-800-432-3924. The postal address for legislators is Kansas Statehouse; Topeka KS 66612. For more information, contact Bill Lucero, Murder Victim Families for Reconciliation, 785-232-5958, mvfrks@cox.net