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Minnesotans Oppose the Death Penalty
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Caroline Palmer, MNADP
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Minnesotans Against the Death Penalty (MNADP) is a nonpartisan organization founded in the spring of 2003, when Minnesota State Rep. Tom Hackbarth (Rep., Dist. 48A) introduced a death penalty bill at the end of the legislative session, and the U.S. Department of Justice indicated interest in pursuing federal death penalty cases in states that do no have the death penalty.
In December 2003, Gov. Tim Pawlenty (Rep.) announced his intention to reinstate the death penalty in Minnesota in response to the Dru Sjodin case. After the governor’s announcement, MNADP was prepared to respond and held a press conference and a community forum featuring University of Minnesota human rights law professor David Weissbrodt and attorney John Bessler, who has worked on many death row cases and written several books on the subject. Some 100 people, including legislators from both sides of the aisle, gathered to strategize on how to respond to the call for the death penalty in Minnesota.
As the media reported the issue, it became apparent that the governor probably did not have the legislative votes to pass such a measure, so in January he announced his intention to have the death penalty instituted through a constitutional ammendment. Although it appears that the governor may not have the votes for an ammendment either, MNADP is prepared to attend every hearing and respond to every action taken on this issue in the coming months.
On February 10, 2004, MNADP held another community forum and about 300 people attended, again including legislators from both parties. The speakers included Bud Welch of Murder Victims’ Families for Reconciliation (his daughter was killed in the Oklahoma City bombing and he opposed the execution of Timothy McVeigh) and Gary Gauger, an Illinois death row exoneree. Both spoke of their devastating experiences and personal insights, and answered questions from the audience. To follow this event, MNADP sponsored a death penalty lobby day on February 26.
Even if MNADP and its allies are successful in turning back the death penalty in Minnesota this year, we believe that there will be more challenges in the future and we are hoping to grow our membership and volunteers so that we can continue to respond with speed and strength. |
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Activist Resources
Want to connect with the causes discussed in this issue of worldwideWAMM?
Here’s how:
Women Against Military Madness
612-827-5364
wamm@mtn.org
Midway Citizen Consumer Community Coalition (MC4)
651-451-6240
chrisconry2000@hotmail.com
Minnesotans Against the Death Penalty (MNADP)
651-649-4618 (hotline)
www.mnadp.org
e-mail listserve available - sign up online
Minnesota Alliance for Progressive Action (MAPA)
651-641-4050 (Twin Cities)
218-727-8900 (NE Minnesota)
staff@mapa-mn.org
www.mapa-mn.org
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© 2004 Women Against Military Madness. All rights reserved.
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Complete March 2004 Index - click here
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