Post by SoulTrainOz on Jun 19, 2006 1:41:32 GMT -5
13 triangle area death penalty opponents will appear in Wake District Court on Monday, June 19, facing charges of 2nd degree trespass. Those scheduled for trial were arrested outside of Central Prison during the last 4 state executions for trying to enter the property to nonviolently prevent the taking of a human life.
Civil disobedience has brought on 55 such arrests during the last 4 state executions held at Central Prison. Those arrested include family members of murder victims, a former death-row prisoner, college- and high-school faculty and students, mothers, a pregnant woman, persons who run local homeless shelters, and human-rights advocates.
Death penalty opponents believe that the day is coming when society will outlaw the barbaric practice of capital punishment just as it once outlawed slavery. Until that day, these opponents believe they are justified in and responsible for taking nonviolent action-including civil disobedience-to prevent executions from taking place.
The state has continued its case against the protesters twice already; during the previous appearance, the judge warned that those charged face fines and up to 40 days in jail (although NC sentencing guidelines prescribe a lower maximum sentence.) Those on trial are eager to make their case in court and plan to argue a "defense of another," which justifies breaking a law to prevent harm to another person. If found guilty, they willingly face the consequences of their actions.
"The state has no moral authority to take a life, and.the system of
capital punishment is extremely prejudicial towards people of color and the poor," said Bill Gural, a 43 year-old teacher at NC Central University and one of those charged. "I believe that we are acting in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by opposing-nonviolently and in faith-the state's injustice," Gural added.
(source: Beth Brockman)
Civil disobedience has brought on 55 such arrests during the last 4 state executions held at Central Prison. Those arrested include family members of murder victims, a former death-row prisoner, college- and high-school faculty and students, mothers, a pregnant woman, persons who run local homeless shelters, and human-rights advocates.
Death penalty opponents believe that the day is coming when society will outlaw the barbaric practice of capital punishment just as it once outlawed slavery. Until that day, these opponents believe they are justified in and responsible for taking nonviolent action-including civil disobedience-to prevent executions from taking place.
The state has continued its case against the protesters twice already; during the previous appearance, the judge warned that those charged face fines and up to 40 days in jail (although NC sentencing guidelines prescribe a lower maximum sentence.) Those on trial are eager to make their case in court and plan to argue a "defense of another," which justifies breaking a law to prevent harm to another person. If found guilty, they willingly face the consequences of their actions.
"The state has no moral authority to take a life, and.the system of
capital punishment is extremely prejudicial towards people of color and the poor," said Bill Gural, a 43 year-old teacher at NC Central University and one of those charged. "I believe that we are acting in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by opposing-nonviolently and in faith-the state's injustice," Gural added.
(source: Beth Brockman)