Terre Haute
Events Against
Federal
Executions
December 8-13, 2019
Terre Haute, Indiana
RESIST THE FEDERAL DEATH PENALTY
Act to Stop the Federal Executions
This summer, President Trump ordered U.S. Attorney General William Barr to set five federal execution dates. Due to various court orders, all five have been stayed until further notice. These stays are expected to remain in place until further notice. Please watch for updates on this in the coming days.
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In the meantime, we are still moving forward with plans for the December 8th Convocation in Terre Haute, and still seeking signatures on the petitions to the U.S. Congress (petition here) and President Trump (petition here).
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BACKGROUND: Over the last 56 years, there have only been three federal executions carried out, and the last one was in 2003. To resume federal executions once again is an affront to the progress this country has made in eliminating the death penalty state-by-state and bringing us in-line with international human rights standards.
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Along with the local group Terre Haute Death Penalty Resistance and other allies, Death Penalty Action will be holding a peaceful vigil outside at the U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana in advance of, and during, each of the executions if they ultimately are permitted by the courts. Other activities are also planned. See below for information. We also encourage people to organize local events in their communities – both in the U.S. and abroad.
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Learn more about the federal death penalty from the Death Penalty Information Center.
Actions and Events
*** Please note that the December 8th Convocation will take place regardless of the status of the executions dates. ***
Sunday, December 8, 2019
The State of Injustice:
International Human Rights Day Death Penalty Forum
St. Benedict Catholic Church, Hellmann Hall
111 S. 9th St., Terre Haute, Indiana
Noon to 1:00 pm – Doors and registration open
1:00 to 5:00 pm – Speakers forum (see below)
5:00 pm-ish (or at the close of the forum) – a short march to the Federal Courthouse nearby, followed by a candlelight vigil
7:00 pm – Food and fellowship back at St. Benedict Catholic Church
*** The following execution vigil plans are currently on hold, due to the various court orders. If the stay remains, no execution vigils will be held. ***
Monday, December 9, 2019
& Friday, December 13, 2019
Execution Vigil and Protest
Everyone is encouraged to attend the silent witness vigil outside the prison in Terre Haute. All executions are scheduled for 8:00 am. The Federal Bureau of Prisons will bus protestors from Fairbanks Park to the prison grounds from 4:30 am to 5:30 am, and that is the ONLY way to gain entry to the prison vigil. You must arrive prior to 5:30 am to attend the vigil. For those who prefer a later, warmer vigil, a concurrent indoor vigil will be held at the Sisters of Providence Church in nearby St Mary-of-the-Woods, IN. Church doors will open at 7:00 am, with a vigil beginning at 7:30 am. All are invited to attend either vigil presence.
Can't make it to Terre Haute?
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Click here for other suggestions on what YOU can do, no matter where you live, including solidarity events from San Diego to NYC.
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Coming to Terre Haute?
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HOUSING: If the executions go forward, a church floor will be provided to those who RSVP to info@deathpenaltyaction.org.
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TRAVEL: For those booking flights, the nearest airport is in Indianapolis, which is just over a one-hour drive from Terre Haute. Plan departure flights anytime after 1:00 pm on December 9. If you prefer to not rent a car, email us and we can arrange for a volunteer to pick you up, as there no convenient bus or train options.
Speakers
Come hear death penalty experts, national leaders, and voices of experience.
Speakers to include:
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Sister Barbara Battista, Sisters of Providence
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Abraham Bonowitz, Death Penalty Action
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Chris Brown, Author of Child of Grace
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Shane Claiborne, Red Letter Christians
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Melinda Elkins Dawson, murder victim family member
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Robert Dunham, Death Penalty Information Center (Organization listed for informational purposes only. DPIC does not take a position on the death penalty)
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Sylvester Edwards, President, NAACP Terre Haute Branch
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Ashley Kincaid Eve, impacted Indiana activist
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Terry Fear, Vice-President, Inter-Faith Council of the Wabash Valley
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Arthur Feinsod, President, Inter-Faith Council of the Wabash Valley
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Kimma and/or Lance Gurel - family of the victims in Daniel Lee's federal case
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George Kain, Professor of Justice and Law Administration, Western CT State University
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Charles Keith, brother of former Ohio death row prisoner Kevin Keith
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Doug Pagitt, Executive Director, Vote Common Good
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Bill Pelke, Founder, Journey of Hope… From Violence to Healing
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Stephanie Quiring, Board Chair, Indiana Abolition Coalition
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Roderick Reed & Wana Akpan, family of Rodney Reed
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Emma Tacke, Catholic Mobilizing Network to End the Use of the Death Penalty
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John Zokovitch, Pax Christi USA
Endorsers/Sponsors
This event is organized by Terre Haute Death Penalty Resistance and Death Penalty Action, with assistance from the following endorsers and sponsors.
Endorsers:
Endorsers include the financial sponsors listed below, as well as the following:
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Art Laffin
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Catholic Mobilizing Network
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Dominican Sisters of Peace
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Dorothy Day Catholic Worker
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Episcopal Peace Fellowship
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Franciscan Action Network
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LIFESPARK
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National Capital Crime Assistance Network/National Death Row Assistance Network of CURE
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National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty
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Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty
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Pax Christi USA
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Red Letter Christians
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Sr. Helen Prejean’s Ministry Against the Death Penalty
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Uri L'Tzedek
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Vote Common Good
If you or your organization would like to simply endorse this event by listing your name and promoting action in opposition to the federal death penalty, please let us know at info@deathpenaltyaction.org, and we'll send you the sharing resources.
Sponsors:
These events are made possible by the resource and financial support of the following sponsors:
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Champions ($5,000 level)
Death Penalty Action
Diamond ($1,000 level)
Amnesty International USA
Indianapolis Archdiocese Corrections Ministry
Joan Cheever, filmmaker/executive producer of "Seven Dates With Death"
Sisters of Providence
Anonymous Donor
Platinum ($500 level)
Jeff Ghelardi
Phyllis Hatfield
Gold ($250 level)
Ashley Kincaid Eve
Anne Feczko & Daniel Flynn
Indiana Catholic Conference
Silver ($100 level)
Abolitionist Action Committee
Bernie & Teresa Batto
Karen Burkhart
Death Row Support Project
Angela & Gerhard Glomm
Indiana Abolition Coalition
Journey of Hope...From Violence to Healing
Robin Kaye
NAACP Terre Haute Branch
Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi, South Bend, IN
Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg, IN
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Bronze ($50 level)
Zann Carter
InterFaith Council of the Wabash Valley
Crystal Garcia Herring
Robert Ohlemiller
Jack & Chris Payden-Travers
Financial sponsors will be listed on this web page and more prominently on signage at the event. Sponsors will also be featured on the professionally produced live-stream video from the Dec. 8 convocation. We invite you to sponsor the opposition to federal executions in Terre Haute. Visit our sponsorship levels page, then click on "tickets" to choose your level.