Tuesday, October 25, 2011
UN Expert Calls for End to Solitary Confinement
GO here UN torture expert - Juan Mendez - calls for an end to solitary confinement...
Monday, October 24, 2011
Executions wrong no matter what (even in case of Brewer)
"Byrd says the execution of Brewer is simply another expression of the hate shown toward his father on that dark night in 1998. Everybody, he said, including the government, should choose not to continue that cycle." A quote from Ross Byrd from the shortened article below.
Just in case readers missed (as I did) the consistent calls to forego the death penalty - even in the worst of cases. Here is a condensation of an article with another excerpt:
"You can't fight murder with murder," Ross Byrd, 32, told Reuters late Tuesday (late September, 2011) the night before Wednesday's scheduled execution of Lawrence Russell Brewer for one of the most notorious hate crimes in modern times.
"Life in prison would have been fine..."
...An avowed white supremacist, Brewer, 44, was one of three white men convicted of capital murder in the kidnapping and killing of Byrd Jr., in June 1998.
John King, another white supremacist, is on death row awaiting an execution date. Shawn Berry is serving a life sentence.
...Dick Gregory has joined Ross Byrd and Martin Luther King III in the past to publicly protest Brewer's execution.
Ross Byrd, a recording artist studying for his MBA at nearby Stephen F. Austin University, said Tuesday that he wouldn't attend the execution but will "be there in spirit."
He says he doesn't want to "waste my time" watching anybody die, even a man who killed his dad.
"Life goes on," said Byrd, who has a son. "I've got responsibilities that I have every day..."
(The) crime ...touched off a nationwide effort to tighten punishments for hate crimes...The jury sentenced the three men as the nation was still reeling from a second hate crime that same year -- the October 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, beaten and left to die on a fence in Wyoming because he was gay.
'WATERSHED MOMENT'
In 2001, Texas passed its hate crimes bill named after Byrd Jr., and its symbolic signing by Perry was a "watershed moment" in Texas and one of Perry's "finest moments in office," said Texas state Senator Rodney Ellis, a Houston Democrat, who helped move the bill through the Texas Senate in spite of staunch Republican opposition.
Eight years later, President Obama signed into law a similar federal bill named after Byrd Jr. and Shepard.
"James Byrd's murder certainly changed Texas and, in many ways, the nation," Ellis told Reuters.
"It was a wake-up call that evil and hate, while no longer considered mainstream views, are more prevalent and virulent than we pretend."
Ellis said the death sentence in Brewer's case "will close a chapter in this tragic story."
"I cannot say for certain that it is a requirement in order for justice to be served but, as Mr. Brewer was a ringleader in the most brutal hate crime in the post-Civil Rights era, it is certainly a very appropriate sentence," he said.
Unlike Byrd's children and wife, all of whom oppose the use of the death penalty against his killers, other family members have been supportive of it.
"I'm not down on them at all for the fact that they support the death penalty," said David Atwood, a good friend of Ross Byrd's and founder of the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty.* "They've gone through a traumatic experience, and there's a history in our country of horrible things happening to African Americans, so it's understandable that a number of them would say finally we're getting some justice."
He called Ross Byrd's stand "powerful."
Byrd says the execution of Brewer is simply another expression of the hate shown toward his father on that dark night in 1998. Everybody, he said, including the government, should choose not to continue that cycle.
"Everybody's in that position," he said. "And I hope they will stand back and look at it before they go down that road of hate. Like Ghandi said, an eye for an eye, and the whole world will go blind."
(Editing by Jerry Norton)
See Reuters article here
* Note: David Atwood has been a longtime friend of The Journey of Hope and a great encourager/supporter in Journey's efforts in Texas.
Another comment about Brewer execution and in response to criticism of assumed silence by death penalty opponents:
Gloria Rubac said: ALL the anti-death penalty organizations in Texas opposed the execution of Russell Brewer...ALL of us oppose ALL executions, even those of despicable racists. There was an unusually large crowd protesting in Huntsville... ...which groups did not protest brewer’s execution (?). The organization that I work with, the Texas Death Penalty Abolition Movement has opposed the execution for James Byrd’s killers since 1998. We went to Jasper for Byrd’s funeral in 1998 with flyers explaining why the death penalty should not be a punishment for this unspeakable hate crime.
Byrd’s son, Ross Byrd, spoke at our annual march to abolish the death penalty back in 2002. We held a press conference and then caravaned with Martin Luther King III and Ross Byrd when they drove to Brazoria County to the prison where Shawn Berry is doing life and met with him for two hours.
Just in case readers missed (as I did) the consistent calls to forego the death penalty - even in the worst of cases. Here is a condensation of an article with another excerpt:
"You can't fight murder with murder," Ross Byrd, 32, told Reuters late Tuesday (late September, 2011) the night before Wednesday's scheduled execution of Lawrence Russell Brewer for one of the most notorious hate crimes in modern times.
"Life in prison would have been fine..."
...An avowed white supremacist, Brewer, 44, was one of three white men convicted of capital murder in the kidnapping and killing of Byrd Jr., in June 1998.
John King, another white supremacist, is on death row awaiting an execution date. Shawn Berry is serving a life sentence.
...Dick Gregory has joined Ross Byrd and Martin Luther King III in the past to publicly protest Brewer's execution.
Ross Byrd, a recording artist studying for his MBA at nearby Stephen F. Austin University, said Tuesday that he wouldn't attend the execution but will "be there in spirit."
He says he doesn't want to "waste my time" watching anybody die, even a man who killed his dad.
"Life goes on," said Byrd, who has a son. "I've got responsibilities that I have every day..."
(The) crime ...touched off a nationwide effort to tighten punishments for hate crimes...The jury sentenced the three men as the nation was still reeling from a second hate crime that same year -- the October 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, beaten and left to die on a fence in Wyoming because he was gay.
'WATERSHED MOMENT'
In 2001, Texas passed its hate crimes bill named after Byrd Jr., and its symbolic signing by Perry was a "watershed moment" in Texas and one of Perry's "finest moments in office," said Texas state Senator Rodney Ellis, a Houston Democrat, who helped move the bill through the Texas Senate in spite of staunch Republican opposition.
Eight years later, President Obama signed into law a similar federal bill named after Byrd Jr. and Shepard.
"James Byrd's murder certainly changed Texas and, in many ways, the nation," Ellis told Reuters.
"It was a wake-up call that evil and hate, while no longer considered mainstream views, are more prevalent and virulent than we pretend."
Ellis said the death sentence in Brewer's case "will close a chapter in this tragic story."
"I cannot say for certain that it is a requirement in order for justice to be served but, as Mr. Brewer was a ringleader in the most brutal hate crime in the post-Civil Rights era, it is certainly a very appropriate sentence," he said.
Unlike Byrd's children and wife, all of whom oppose the use of the death penalty against his killers, other family members have been supportive of it.
"I'm not down on them at all for the fact that they support the death penalty," said David Atwood, a good friend of Ross Byrd's and founder of the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty.* "They've gone through a traumatic experience, and there's a history in our country of horrible things happening to African Americans, so it's understandable that a number of them would say finally we're getting some justice."
He called Ross Byrd's stand "powerful."
Byrd says the execution of Brewer is simply another expression of the hate shown toward his father on that dark night in 1998. Everybody, he said, including the government, should choose not to continue that cycle.
"Everybody's in that position," he said. "And I hope they will stand back and look at it before they go down that road of hate. Like Ghandi said, an eye for an eye, and the whole world will go blind."
(Editing by Jerry Norton)
See Reuters article here
* Note: David Atwood has been a longtime friend of The Journey of Hope and a great encourager/supporter in Journey's efforts in Texas.
Another comment about Brewer execution and in response to criticism of assumed silence by death penalty opponents:
Gloria Rubac said: ALL the anti-death penalty organizations in Texas opposed the execution of Russell Brewer...ALL of us oppose ALL executions, even those of despicable racists. There was an unusually large crowd protesting in Huntsville... ...which groups did not protest brewer’s execution (?). The organization that I work with, the Texas Death Penalty Abolition Movement has opposed the execution for James Byrd’s killers since 1998. We went to Jasper for Byrd’s funeral in 1998 with flyers explaining why the death penalty should not be a punishment for this unspeakable hate crime.
Byrd’s son, Ross Byrd, spoke at our annual march to abolish the death penalty back in 2002. We held a press conference and then caravaned with Martin Luther King III and Ross Byrd when they drove to Brazoria County to the prison where Shawn Berry is doing life and met with him for two hours.
Randy Gardner's page updated! Brief Note...
GO here
Randy Gardner and family sending love and freedom to Ronnie as he faces/faced execution by firing squad - promising to bring love and healing to youth in his name.
Randy's daughter comforted at his execution.
She felt deeply his love for her and was very close to him.
Also be sure to see the amazing and NEEDED article posted just below about yet one more honest person who refuses to see revenge - ie - state murder or the Death Penalty as offering any peace or closure at all. Note as well the quiet mention at end of this article Death Penalty's Unlikely Opponents - GO here (At the end of that article see the rare and moving comment by a son protesting the execution of his father's murderer.
Death penalty's unlikely opponents
By Eliott C. McLaughlin
Charisse Coleman has no real compassion for the man who walked into the Thrifty Liquor Store in Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1995 and put three bullets in her brother, Russell.
But she doesn't want Bobby Lee Hampton -- one of more than seven dozen killers on Louisiana's death row -- executed, either.
"My opposition to the death penalty has nothing to do with Bobby Lee Hampton," Coleman said. "He's a bad dude. He's never going to be a good dude. If I got a call that said Bobby Lee Hampton dropped dead in his cell last night, I don't think it would create a ripple in my pond."
She added, though, "I will be goddamned if I will let Bobby Lee Hampton make me a victim, too, by taking me down that road of bitterness and revenge."
Coleman, 50, is among the most unlikely opponents of the death penalty, people who lost loved ones to unspeakable violence yet believe executing the killer will do nothing for family members or society.
Their stance is backed by groups like Murder Victims' Families for Reconciliation and Murder Victims' Families for Human Rights, and their reasons aren't as religious or political as one might think. Some feel so strongly they've spoken against the death penalty even when it wasn't an option in their loved one's case.
There's no denying most Americans are pro-death penalty. They have been since 1967, according to Gallup, which regularly conducts polls asking whether Americans are for or against capital punishment in murder cases. Support reached as high as 80% in 1994 and declined to 61% in a poll this month -- the lowest since 1972, the year the Supreme Court temporarily halted executions.
Add a little nuance, though, and sentiments shift. When asked to choose between the death penalty and life in prison, 50% of respondents in a recent CNN/ORC International Poll said they favored a life sentence, compared to 48% who preferred the death penalty.
Two executions, two views
Perhaps the split in opinion was most evident on September 21, when two executions were met with vastly different reactions.
Thousands of people -- including entertainers, dignitaries, Amnesty International and the pope -- denounced the execution of Troy Davis. Some said they believed Davis was innocent in the slaying of a Georgia police officer. Others said there was too much doubt to execute him. (The officer's family, like the relatives of many victims, had no qualms about seeing the person convicted of their loved one's murder put to death.)
Meanwhile in Texas, the lethal injection of Lawrence Brewer, who took part in the racially charged dragging death of James Byrd Jr., barely elicited a whisper.
Byrd's son, Ross, voiced the loudest protest, saying, "You can't fight murder with murder," but to no avail.
Please keep reading here.
Charisse Coleman has no real compassion for the man who walked into the Thrifty Liquor Store in Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1995 and put three bullets in her brother, Russell.
But she doesn't want Bobby Lee Hampton -- one of more than seven dozen killers on Louisiana's death row -- executed, either.
"My opposition to the death penalty has nothing to do with Bobby Lee Hampton," Coleman said. "He's a bad dude. He's never going to be a good dude. If I got a call that said Bobby Lee Hampton dropped dead in his cell last night, I don't think it would create a ripple in my pond."
She added, though, "I will be goddamned if I will let Bobby Lee Hampton make me a victim, too, by taking me down that road of bitterness and revenge."
Coleman, 50, is among the most unlikely opponents of the death penalty, people who lost loved ones to unspeakable violence yet believe executing the killer will do nothing for family members or society.
Their stance is backed by groups like Murder Victims' Families for Reconciliation and Murder Victims' Families for Human Rights, and their reasons aren't as religious or political as one might think. Some feel so strongly they've spoken against the death penalty even when it wasn't an option in their loved one's case.
There's no denying most Americans are pro-death penalty. They have been since 1967, according to Gallup, which regularly conducts polls asking whether Americans are for or against capital punishment in murder cases. Support reached as high as 80% in 1994 and declined to 61% in a poll this month -- the lowest since 1972, the year the Supreme Court temporarily halted executions.
Add a little nuance, though, and sentiments shift. When asked to choose between the death penalty and life in prison, 50% of respondents in a recent CNN/ORC International Poll said they favored a life sentence, compared to 48% who preferred the death penalty.
Two executions, two views
Perhaps the split in opinion was most evident on September 21, when two executions were met with vastly different reactions.
Thousands of people -- including entertainers, dignitaries, Amnesty International and the pope -- denounced the execution of Troy Davis. Some said they believed Davis was innocent in the slaying of a Georgia police officer. Others said there was too much doubt to execute him. (The officer's family, like the relatives of many victims, had no qualms about seeing the person convicted of their loved one's murder put to death.)
Meanwhile in Texas, the lethal injection of Lawrence Brewer, who took part in the racially charged dragging death of James Byrd Jr., barely elicited a whisper.
Byrd's son, Ross, voiced the loudest protest, saying, "You can't fight murder with murder," but to no avail.
Please keep reading here.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Robi Damelin
“The first words that came out of my mouth were 'do not take revenge in the name of my son"
Abstract/Excerpt:
"...There is no revenge for a lost loved one. I too would have released the whole world in order to get David back.
I belong to a group of Palestinians and Israelis called the Parents Circle - Families Forum. We are more than 600 families who have lost an immediate family member to the conflict. Our long-term vision is to create a framework for reconciliation process that would be an integral part of future political agreements.
When it was first disclosed that David’s killer may be walking free I received phone calls from my Palestinian friends, also members of the Parents Circle - Families Forum. They had listened carefully to the names of the prisoners released and when they had heard that David’s killer might be amongst them, they were in great turmoil. They wanted to come to my house, some from the West Bank, to be with me. They said they were proud of my reaction and that they also understood how painful it is.
I think of the pain of the Palestinian mothers in our group. Their pain is the same as mine and the tears are the same colour. Some of the men in our group had served jail sentences and today they are tireless campaigners for reconciliation..."
Read more from and about Robi's story and that of The Parents Circle at the top of One Heart For Peace GO here to see the two posts for Saturday, October 22st, 2011.
Be SURE to WATCH this moving short VIDEO Plz take just a few minutes to WATCH this most moving video of the new effort for peace which has just been launced by The Parents Circle
GO here
You may also want to go to www.bloodrelations.org for more information on the newest peace project to meet real human need now or CLICK here where ALL are now invited to donate your blood (or to do so by support) and send our message across asking everyone: Could you hurt someone who had your blood running through their veins?
Friday, October 21, 2011
VIDEO - Meditation: Rais Bhuiyan - Hate Crime Victim Forgives
Rais Bhuiyan
for credit see end of post *
Find a reposting of a short NPR article and Video (link below) by very inter-faith oriented Christian blog-site Oct 21, 2011
Title: Hate Crime Victim Forgives
Date: October 21, 2011
NPR ran this story:
In 2011, Rais Bhuiyan strove to save the life of the man who had tried to kill him with a double-barrel shotgun blast to the face. Now blind in one eye, Bhuiyan survived, but Mark Stroman, his attacker, who was on a 2001, post 9/11, rage-powered killing spree, also murdered two Muslim men, simply because they looked Muslim. A white supremacist, Stroman, was aiming to kill Muslims just to vent his rage. A decade later, Stroman, having failed in his final court appeal, sat on Texas’ death row while Bhuiyan, his hate crime victim, worked to stay the execution.
"According to my faith in Islam, there is no hate, no killing. It doesn't allow anything like that. Yes, Mark Stroman did a horrible thing, and he brought a lot of pain and disaster, sufferings in my life. But in return I never hated him. By hating him it will not bring any good to society. But by forgiving him, who knows?" said Bhuiyan. Bhuiyan added that his motivation was that in Islam, saving one human life is the same as saving the entirety of humankind.
When Stroman heard that Bhuiyan was working to save his life, Stroman cried, saying it was this first act of kindness he had ever known and that he was truly and deeply sorry.
Stroman targeted Bhuiyan because of his faith and yet it was Bhuiyan’s faith that propelled him to save Stroman.
Let’s Pray: Dear God, we thank you that people of faith can be heroic examples to us all. Amen.
Here’s a Thought: Forgiveness is love.
Sources:
NPR audio, here
9/11 Hate-Crime Victim Seeks to Save His Attacker by NPR Staff, here
Mark Stroman Blog here
CBS Dallas Man Condemned For Post-9/11 Slaying Loses Appeal
December 28, 2010 3:04 PM, http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2010/12/28/dallas-man-condemned-for-post-911-slaying-loses-appeal/
“Whoever slays a soul, unless it be for a manslaughter or for mischief in the land, it is as though he slew all men; and whoever keeps it alive, it is as though he kept alive all men.” (Quran 5:32)
============
* Photo credit goes to Common Grounds. Rais Bhuiyan is soon to be honored by this group which seeks justice thru peace leaders of all kinds, world-wide. CG has honored the likes of Desmond Tutu. for more GO here
Henry James Walks Out of La. State Pen. (Angola)
photo of Henry James, Angola, thanx to the Innocent Project.
Man cleared after THIRTY years imprisoned for false charges wants to eat some Jumbo Shrimp! (He was behind bars more time than he was free even while he's not that young at 50...good thing he looks so young and fit.)
See these two stories Just In followed by the release from The Innocence Project:
The Grio.com here See more links below just in...
We have wonderful news to share: This afternoon, our client Henry James walked out of the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola a free man for the first time in three decades. DNA tests prove his innocence of a 1981 rape, and last night a judge overturned his conviction.
Right now, he is on his way to New Orleans to greet supporters and talk with the media about the injustice he suffered and his plan to build a life at age 50, after losing 30 years in prison for a crime he did not commit.
James was arrested and charged with rape in 1981 after the victim misidentified him as the perpetrator. His conviction was based on faulty evidence, and it took the miraculous discovery of missing evidence to clear him. Blood type tests pointed to his innocence, but his defense attorney failed to share those results with the jury.
The Innocence Project accepted James’ case in 2005, but several searches for evidence proved fruitless. Then, in May 2010, James had an incredible stroke of luck. That day, a lab worker named Milton Dureau was looking for evidence in a different case when he stumbled upon a slide from James’ case. Fortunately, he remembered James’ case number from his earlier search. The evidence was sent to a lab, where DNA testing proved James’ innocence.
James will now begin the long process of building a new life after so many years lost to wrongful incarceration. Send him a note of support today to welcome him home.
James’ legal team includes the Innocence Project, our partners at the Innocence Project New Orleans and Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP.
Best,
The Innocence Project Team
========
More current links here and
see copy of the legal release form by pdf here
Thursday, October 20, 2011
From UGANDA: Wednesday, 19 October 2011 GREETINGS & APPRECIATION
I greet you in the name of Love for our offenders.
Greetings from the 241 Inmates on the Death row in Upper Prison-Luzira, Kampala Uganda.
For sure your words were a great insipiration to them and even to us who are doing all it takes to reform them as they extend words of request for forgiveness unto those they offended.
Right from the day you visited them in their Condemn Cells, I wish to notify you that in this period, 02 Inmates, namely Muramuzi Herbert and Lubowa Robert, had their death sentence overturned and awarded a sentence of 30 years including those they had spent on the death row. They now have only 09 years to serve and then walk to their freedom.
However, they were able to have this second chance in life courtesy of their attainment of FORMAL EDUCATION while on the death row. The recommendation that our office submitted to the Judges as one of their mitigation factor, played a tremendous role in having their death sentence overturned.
It is to this end that I wish to extend our sincere appreciation for the wonderful package you left for the Inmates' Schools at Upper Prison-Luzira, Kampala Uganda. this School received 39 Dozens of Writing/Notes Books and 50 Pens. I tell you, that "Blessed is the Hand that giveth...".
It was a great boost for us in a situation of scarcity that thee Inmates Schools operate in. We received them from the Franciscan Prison Ministry Team.
Thanks and may the Almighty GOD fill your purse a hundredfold.
Our Schools have started a season for national examinations which commenced on 14.10.2011 and shall end on 1.12.2011, encompassing Secondary School Level Entry Examinations, High School Entry Examinations, and University Entry examinations. It is a hectic and financially expensive period but we hope that by GOD's Grace, we shall sail through safely.
In all there are 128 Candidates, out of which 53 are Inmates on the Death row. This gives us encouragement when we see you coming up and promising to support our efforts in providing them with formal education which is a starting point for their reintegration into society as productive and law abiding upon their release.
We shall continue endeavoring to provide this vital ingredient towards their reformation and rehabilitation, and as you promised, we call for your support in all forms, for it is said..:"The good you do will all (be) coming back a hundredfold to you...in working good for GOD on earth".
Early January 2012, we shall be undertaking new admissions into School for formal education and at the same time as the Inmates on the Death row told you in their request for alms, Registraton for Candidates for Entry Examinations to various levels shall be conducted at Elementary, Lower and Upper Secondary.
Please do not be tired to support us when we turn to you for some modest financial support which in any case does range between US $ 5000-8000 for all levels combined and for all eligible inmates which must be paid to the Ministry of Education-Uganda National Examinations Board if they are to sit for these examinations.
I would love to identify with and be part of your efforts in overturning this vengeful punishment in the name of Death Penalty since "Two bad things cannot turn into anything good".
Should the State kill...or it should rehabilitate?
This is why I stand out with my head high to call upon you to support us - so that the seeds you are planting in the whole world of this noble fight can yield great fruits internationally. (So that)using a multidimensional approach such as Rehabilitative Formal Education (which) we are championing in Uganda can be replicated in other parts of the world as a panacea to recidivism and state revenge sometimes on innocent victims cum offenders.
I shall continue updating you on the trends we are taking to realise your mission on earth and we are ready to combine efforts with you in this aspect.
I wish you well and good health and all your loved ones as we continue in the struggle.
Once again thanks for your inspirational visit to Upper Prison, for it left an indelible mark in the lives of those who listened to your testimonies, I inclusive.
We love you all.
GOD bless.
BIRYOMUMAISHO ANATOLI OWAKUBARUHO
SENIOR SOCIAL WORKER/HEAD TEACHER UPPER PRISON SCHOOLS
Greetings from the 241 Inmates on the Death row in Upper Prison-Luzira, Kampala Uganda.
For sure your words were a great insipiration to them and even to us who are doing all it takes to reform them as they extend words of request for forgiveness unto those they offended.
Right from the day you visited them in their Condemn Cells, I wish to notify you that in this period, 02 Inmates, namely Muramuzi Herbert and Lubowa Robert, had their death sentence overturned and awarded a sentence of 30 years including those they had spent on the death row. They now have only 09 years to serve and then walk to their freedom.
However, they were able to have this second chance in life courtesy of their attainment of FORMAL EDUCATION while on the death row. The recommendation that our office submitted to the Judges as one of their mitigation factor, played a tremendous role in having their death sentence overturned.
It is to this end that I wish to extend our sincere appreciation for the wonderful package you left for the Inmates' Schools at Upper Prison-Luzira, Kampala Uganda. this School received 39 Dozens of Writing/Notes Books and 50 Pens. I tell you, that "Blessed is the Hand that giveth...".
It was a great boost for us in a situation of scarcity that thee Inmates Schools operate in. We received them from the Franciscan Prison Ministry Team.
Thanks and may the Almighty GOD fill your purse a hundredfold.
Our Schools have started a season for national examinations which commenced on 14.10.2011 and shall end on 1.12.2011, encompassing Secondary School Level Entry Examinations, High School Entry Examinations, and University Entry examinations. It is a hectic and financially expensive period but we hope that by GOD's Grace, we shall sail through safely.
In all there are 128 Candidates, out of which 53 are Inmates on the Death row. This gives us encouragement when we see you coming up and promising to support our efforts in providing them with formal education which is a starting point for their reintegration into society as productive and law abiding upon their release.
We shall continue endeavoring to provide this vital ingredient towards their reformation and rehabilitation, and as you promised, we call for your support in all forms, for it is said..:"The good you do will all (be) coming back a hundredfold to you...in working good for GOD on earth".
Early January 2012, we shall be undertaking new admissions into School for formal education and at the same time as the Inmates on the Death row told you in their request for alms, Registraton for Candidates for Entry Examinations to various levels shall be conducted at Elementary, Lower and Upper Secondary.
Please do not be tired to support us when we turn to you for some modest financial support which in any case does range between US $ 5000-8000 for all levels combined and for all eligible inmates which must be paid to the Ministry of Education-Uganda National Examinations Board if they are to sit for these examinations.
I would love to identify with and be part of your efforts in overturning this vengeful punishment in the name of Death Penalty since "Two bad things cannot turn into anything good".
Should the State kill...or it should rehabilitate?
This is why I stand out with my head high to call upon you to support us - so that the seeds you are planting in the whole world of this noble fight can yield great fruits internationally. (So that)using a multidimensional approach such as Rehabilitative Formal Education (which) we are championing in Uganda can be replicated in other parts of the world as a panacea to recidivism and state revenge sometimes on innocent victims cum offenders.
I shall continue updating you on the trends we are taking to realise your mission on earth and we are ready to combine efforts with you in this aspect.
I wish you well and good health and all your loved ones as we continue in the struggle.
Once again thanks for your inspirational visit to Upper Prison, for it left an indelible mark in the lives of those who listened to your testimonies, I inclusive.
We love you all.
GOD bless.
BIRYOMUMAISHO ANATOLI OWAKUBARUHO
SENIOR SOCIAL WORKER/HEAD TEACHER UPPER PRISON SCHOOLS
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
The Journey and Bill Pelke (Esp. for New Readers)
Journey of Hope…from Violence to Healing
The story we share here with you is a remarkable story - written by a man who had to experience the murder of a beloved family member.
Dealing with the pain of loss and the revenge feelings towards the murderers, this is a story of forgiveness and healing, of compassion and love. The story tells how his organization “ Journey of Hope…from Violence to Healing”, started and how the members want to share there extreme painful experiences, from either side of the fence….I want to introduce you to a great man and a dear friend of mine, Bill Pelke...
Plz read this remarkable, well-written story anew or for the first time...
GO here
Thanx for this posting to Angela whom I hope will soon be able to join us here at The Journey blog and have more NEW reports from Charity, Edward, Randy and the two Bills as they continue the Journey in Africa...
Monday, October 17, 2011
UPDATED: RANDY GARDNER with the Kids on Africa Journey
Randy in Africa with Journey...
Update: I did a little research on October 25th and found these moving articles of a most caring family who are bringing good out of their executed loved one's troubled yet loving and transformed life. Here are the articles. There is so much depth here and possibilities for change for us all:
Go here
and here and finally here Readers are likely to find more articles on Ronnie (Randy's brother shot by firing sqad) and life behind bars of seeking to make amends and make good to all he possibly could. His deep remorse and loving concern extended also to Jason who was three when his father was murdered. Jason forgave Ronnie for the crime.
Note that if you look up more info on Randy Gardner, Ronnie's brother, he's NOT the famous world skater champion nor the champion who held is breath an inordinate length of time. However, we at Journey already know Randy's a champion with kids and turning tragedy into sunlight!
Randy founded Back to Basics Organic Farm and Ranch in honor of his brother, Ronnie Lee Gardner, who was executed by the state of Utah by firing squad on June 18, 2010.
To see a video and more about Randy's vision for youth with the need for special, healing direction, plz CLICK here
After just a few minutes seeing Randy's photo and a little of his vision, I sure do want to meet him someday and hope to post more on him when I learn more. His Back To Basics Organic Garden vision looks like a kind of country version of what the new (headed for an award) film "The Interruptors" is all about in a troubled city context - it's all about LOVE.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Edward (Mpagi Edward Edmary) and Uganda's Death Row
Edward (Mpagi Edward Edmary)
Edward's familyALERT: Be sure to visit Journey of Hope...Events Diary Blog OFTEN (and READ the moving, fascinating archived diary entries & memoirs here to see the progression of the trip, photos, etc.
Find other links on the END of post just below.
NOTE: Surely, Edward and The Journey will help Uganda achieve the goals named below for better, more humane and accurate justice in Uganda. May the same goals be sought and improved in a more effective way in the US as well.
Edward at the UN - You Tube video here
Here are some more references to Edward's life and work at Angela's blog here
ABSTRACT from new release on Uganda below : "...three rulings significantly improve how the death penalty is used in Uganda. Unfortunately however, they have not been fully implemented. For example, there are individuals in Uganda who have been on death row for 18 years. People facing the death penalty often do not routinely have good access to lawyers or even legal advice."
Mon Oct 10, 2011 10:46
78.35.118.31
Uganda: Abolish the Death Penalty; It Undermines Human Dignity
Martin Shearman
10 October 2011
opinion
Right now in Uganda, there are more than 470 prisoners on death row. In 2010 in Uganda, five death sentences were handed out.
Today is World Day against the Death Penalty. People, governments and countries unite to oppose the death penalty. It undermines human dignity and there is no firm evidence that it has any value as a deterrent.
The UK nationally, and as a member state of the European Union, opposes the death penalty in all circumstances as a matter of principle and believes that it should be abolished. And we are not alone. 138 countries, including 16 African Union members, have abolished the death penalty in law or practice. In December 2010 more UN Member states than ever before supported the UN General Assembly resolution on stopping the use of the death penalty.
Now you may disagree. In Uganda, there are currently 16 offences that carry the death penalty and these include crimes such as rape, murder and espionage. You may believe that people found guilty of these crimes deserve such a punishment.
However, regardless of your views on the death penalty, there are still important reasons to ensure that its use meets minimum standards. No one would argue that it should be used for anything but the most serious crimes. It is important that those charged are given a fair trial: if an innocent person is convicted and wrongly executed, you cannot make it up to them. It is important that people on death row are treated humanely. These minimum standards should be met to protect human dignity.
The Constitutional Court of Uganda agrees. In 2009, it made three landmark rulings on how the death penalty is used. Firstly, it declared that it is cruel, inhuman and degrading for a convict to be on death row for longer than three years. It ruled that these convicts should have their cases reviewed and, if appropriate, their death penalties commuted to life imprisonment.
Secondly, the court declared it is unconstitutional for crimes to automatically result in a death penalty. Mandatory death penalties do not allow for the individual facts of the case to be considered. Finally, the court ruled that it is unlawful for civilians to be given a death penalty in a military court. The Ugandan People's Defence Force has since said that it will pass civilian cases to the High Court.
These three rulings significantly improve how the death penalty is used in Uganda. Unfortunately however, they have not been fully implemented. For example, there are individuals in Uganda who have been on death row for 18 years. People facing the death penalty often do not routinely have good access to lawyers or even legal advice.
East Africa
Uganda
Legal Affairs
This is why the UK is supporting Ugandan civil societies' efforts led by the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative to promote the implementation of the Constitutional Court rulings and ensure minimum standards are met. Firstly, the initiative will help prevent innocent people being wrongly convicted by providing legal support for a fair trial.
Secondly, it is working to have death penalty sentences changed to life imprisonment when prisoners have spent more than three years on death row. Thirdly, it is helping to ensure that judges and magistrates are fully informed about the sentencing guidelines.
Lastly, it is supporting the amendment of laws that carry a mandatory death penalty. The UK hopes that Uganda will abolish the death penalty. But in the meantime, it is important that minimum standards on its use are met. We applaud the rulings of Uganda's Constitutional Court on the death penalty and look forward to their full implementation.
Mr Shearman it the British high commissioner to Uganda.
ALSO read more in All Africa here
Be sure not to miss the inspiring Photo, excerpts and find LINKS just below!
SAVE LINKS & Updates & Great Photo of Bill Babbitt with Ugandan CHILDREN
Bill Babbitt (Bill has been speaking around the world about his brother Manny who was executed in 1999. Bill has helped raise over $2000 so that this Journey can take place....) He also has a beautiful - especially articulate daughter. What an effective, heart-felt man and family. Who doesn't LOVE Bill Babbitt?GREAT SCREEN-SAVER or Wall Poster idea: Try clicking on photo once to double the size - Bill B has a marvelously emotive face - and what a beautiful banner, eh?
(Just posted late yesterday! Some terrific photographer - Charity?)
At the very beginning of the Archive don't miss the compelling/inspirational "Follow the Signs..." by Charity here (some of us who've chosen not to do FB have missed some of the most poignant items of all - but will do better, promise!)
More on Charity's Ella Foundation soon...
We need to revisit Angela's posting of Bill Pelke's and Journey's story again soon.
LINKS TO KEEP HANDY to be able to check out as new items keep coming in OFTEN and to review older gems:
DAILY Uganda Journey blog/photo album for yourself: here
FaceBook Wall- GO here to READ EXTRA comments like this one from Lisa Rea: Great to see this. Mpagi Edward Edmary was an innocent man on death row in Uganda. He is alive today to tell his story. I support the work of the Journey of Hope as it works for true justice for victims of crime. (Lisa is a friend and a FAMILY member of Journey. She has also done a lot to support Edward personally and his work with kids. Someday soon we need to let you know about or review here own special calling.) Also, go see Debbie Kearns pertinent timely YouTube videos and her passionate comments.
Or this one by Bill Pelke: It has been great to see Edward, his wife, mother and family. He is recovering from a stroke, but will be traveling with us to Rwanda for for a meeting of African nations trying to Abolish the Death Penalty in Africa. The president of Rwanda will address the conference. God's Peace to all.
(or if on FB, add your own comments! either way, there is no problem with clicking to read the latest.)
Here is the ministry page for Edward's Kids here
To read more about Edward, plz GO here
Finally yet NOT LEAST, PLZ help support this one of a kind UGANDAN Journey
Bill Pelke
President, Journey of Hope…from Violence to Healing
WWW.JourneyofHope.org
877-9 24GIVE (4483)
“The answer is love and compassion for all of humanity”
or GO here
Monday, October 10, 2011
Ugandan photo posted on World Day Against the Death Penalty
Bill posted this on his diary: October 9, 2011
Charity, Bill and Randy...together with the radioman :-)
Plz see the Comments which include some good links to the World Day...and add your own. Also, be sure to go to the posts below for links to FB, to Bill's dairy, to Charity's work with Edward to help Ugandan Children and to Angela's NEW history of Bill and Journey.
Help us out if you have any questions and photos as we are having to juggle lots of busy schedules and I may be missing for a few days...
Friday, October 07, 2011
Hurrah! , we are in Africa! Friday, 7 Oct 2011
From Bill Pelke:
All right,
we made it to Nairobi in fine shape although the plane ride was not as nice as our previous flight from Dallas to Amsterdam.
It was a crowded flight; I don’t think there was one empty seat on the Jumbo Jet.
Since our bags had been checked to Entebbe we headed to the gate where we were told we could get our gate pass for our final leg on Kenya Airline to Entebbe, Uganda.
At the gate we were told the door to the plane had been shut and we would be rebooked for the first flight out in the morning. That wasn`t what what we wanted to hear after our two long flights to arrive in Africa. We elected to spend the night at the airport rather than leave and try to find a hotel so late at night when we would just have to return early in the morning.
I had checked prices earlier in the week and prices were very steep so we decided to stay at the airport.
We called Edward’s friend Ronald who was supposed to pick us up in Entebbe. He had already made the hour drive to meet us and I had to tell him we missed our flight. He thanked us for calling him and said he would come back in the morning at nine o’clock. He told us that Edward was sick. We had known that Edward had been ill but he had been confident he would be better by the time we got there. We hope he is recovering and will be fine. He has Ronald helping him organize our tour.
I am glad I had Ronald’s phone number.
We have been killing time catching a few little cat naps and just ate a meal at the only restaurant open in the middle of the night. We did get into a few good conversations on the last flight and have been passing out information all along the way.
But hurrah!, we are in Africa.
We are tired but we are in good spirits.
For more photos and diary entries, plz go to the top of Journey of Hope Diary here and also to a descriptive overview of the anticipated trip/events here and of course the FB wall...Send this out to others: http://www.facebook.com/JourneyOfHope?v=wall and/or CLICK here (Again, if you like me are not "on" fb you don't need to be a member or sign up to look and see what's up.)
All right,
we made it to Nairobi in fine shape although the plane ride was not as nice as our previous flight from Dallas to Amsterdam.
It was a crowded flight; I don’t think there was one empty seat on the Jumbo Jet.
Since our bags had been checked to Entebbe we headed to the gate where we were told we could get our gate pass for our final leg on Kenya Airline to Entebbe, Uganda.
At the gate we were told the door to the plane had been shut and we would be rebooked for the first flight out in the morning. That wasn`t what what we wanted to hear after our two long flights to arrive in Africa. We elected to spend the night at the airport rather than leave and try to find a hotel so late at night when we would just have to return early in the morning.
I had checked prices earlier in the week and prices were very steep so we decided to stay at the airport.
We called Edward’s friend Ronald who was supposed to pick us up in Entebbe. He had already made the hour drive to meet us and I had to tell him we missed our flight. He thanked us for calling him and said he would come back in the morning at nine o’clock. He told us that Edward was sick. We had known that Edward had been ill but he had been confident he would be better by the time we got there. We hope he is recovering and will be fine. He has Ronald helping him organize our tour.
I am glad I had Ronald’s phone number.
We have been killing time catching a few little cat naps and just ate a meal at the only restaurant open in the middle of the night. We did get into a few good conversations on the last flight and have been passing out information all along the way.
But hurrah!, we are in Africa.
We are tired but we are in good spirits.
For more photos and diary entries, plz go to the top of Journey of Hope Diary here and also to a descriptive overview of the anticipated trip/events here and of course the FB wall...Send this out to others: http://www.facebook.com/JourneyOfHope?v=wall and/or CLICK here (Again, if you like me are not "on" fb you don't need to be a member or sign up to look and see what's up.)
Wednesday, October 05, 2011
UGANDA Journey of Hope Begins - Bon Voyage!
L to R:Bill Pelke, Rais Bhuiyan, Genifer Kaye, Charity Lee and Bill Babbitt
(I just found this photo on fb wall and the journeyofhope diary. Journey may have Genifer Kaye to thank for this photo) For more photos and diary entries, plz go to the top of Journey of Hope Diary here and also to a descriptive overview of the anticipated trip/events here
Another Journey begins (written by Bill Pelke a few days ago)...
This may be the most important Journey of my life and for the "Journey of Hope…from Violence to Healing".
I boarded a plane in Anchorage, Alaska and am on my way to Seattle, Washington, to meet up with Bill Babbitt. During our 4 plus hour lay-over we will meet for lunch with James Basden. James and Bill have a common bond. Both of them had brothers that were executed. James has been very supportive of our African Journey of Hope.
From Seattle, Bill (2TT’s Babbitt) and I will fly to Dallas, Texas where we will stay overnight, and then head for Uganda tomorrow afternoon. Tomorrow morning we will meet up with Charity Lee who will accompany us on this Journey.
The three of us will have breakfast with Rick Halperin, Journey of Hope board member, dear friend, and Human Rights professor at the Southern Methodist University (SMU), and Rais Bhuiyan, the man who forgave his attacker in the 9/11 aftermath killings that took place in the Dallas area.
Several others will be joining us, hopefully Stan Allridge, whose brother James was executed by the state of Texas in 2004. I stood behind Stan, Sister Helen Prejean, Dave Atwood and others and watched as the state of Texas put poison into James blood and killed him. Stan also watched another brother be executed in 1995.
I have never met Rais before so I am looking forward to that.
And then Charity, 2TT’s and I head for Uganda. We have to fly to Amsterdam, then to Nairobi, Kenya and from there on to Entebbe, Uganda, where we will meet up with death row exoneree Edward Edmary Mpagi. I haven’t seen Edward since 2007 on the Texas Journey of Hope.
Randy Gardner will join us Uganda several days later.
This is a dream come true for all of us. Not only for Bill, Randy, Charity, Edward and I but also for Kathy Chrism who has been helping Edward from afar for many years now to build his orphanage/ school in Uganda.
Kathy runs the organization "Dream One World" and her dream is being fulfilled with our Uganda trip. There are few things I have done in my life that I would consider as God inspired, as this trip. It came together on short notice and the support fell into place. The organizing has gone like clockwork as if all the stars were in line for this great event.
We will be taking our message of love and compassion for all of humanity and helping Edward not only to abolish the death penalty in Uganda, but also helping "Hands off Cain" and the "World Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty" while being in Rwanda where we will meet with the African delegation trying to bring about abolition there.
Then we go to Nairobi, Kenya on a mission of justice and reconciliation where we will be speaking in a large church before coming home.
More later.
Love and Peace, Bill
======
NOTE: Here's a quick look at the "Dream One World" Project - and what an effort for peace this looks to be! GO here Go with God, Edward, Kathy, Bill and the rest of the "crew".
Look below for other ways to connect with The Journey...
Tuesday, October 04, 2011
Taking a Break...
Readers, Finally, I'm going to take a break to update my technique here...I have been wanting to do this for some time. I want to work with other bloggers here - possibly a new co-blogger - and to confer with the folk doing the Journey of Hope facebook wall/web to see how we might continue to polish our good flow.
Meantime, GO to the facebook wall if you wish (you can read what's on the wall there even if you are not signed up to fb without signing up). See our latest comments on the fb wall and great work with the links to videos and more (Looks like Bill Pelke will be blogging his Journey in Uganda from the new Journey Diary which should link to the fb wall as well - See the post JUST ABOVE.)
Meantime, take a little scroll through our archives here for a wide perspective of issues and featured stories. Remember also to check out other sites listed in the lower right column.
I'll try to check periodically to post any comments submitted if appropriate, clear and not anonymous.
May we BE PEACE.
All the Best,
Connie
Meantime, GO to the facebook wall if you wish (you can read what's on the wall there even if you are not signed up to fb without signing up). See our latest comments on the fb wall and great work with the links to videos and more (Looks like Bill Pelke will be blogging his Journey in Uganda from the new Journey Diary which should link to the fb wall as well - See the post JUST ABOVE.)
Meantime, take a little scroll through our archives here for a wide perspective of issues and featured stories. Remember also to check out other sites listed in the lower right column.
I'll try to check periodically to post any comments submitted if appropriate, clear and not anonymous.
May we BE PEACE.
All the Best,
Connie
Monday, October 03, 2011
Updated: Imagine A World Without Hate
Photo found on Reprieve UK siteOn October 4, 2011 I also found this article on the death of one of Mark Stroman's pen pals: Goodbye Marge check out the Reprieve site often at reprieve.org.uk - GO here
September 21, 2011, on World Peace Day, Rais Bhuiyan said "This is the anniversary of my shooting...The lessons I’ve learned during the last decade, and the journey I’ve taken moved me from a place of pain on the deepest level to a place of hope for a kinder world."
Read Rais Bhuiyan's words for yourself.
"...Yes! We can build a better world by paying attention and noticing where we blame and build walls with our family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Then we can choose to change and diminish anger...It’s not easy, but the future of humanity depends on us. Our actions CAN heal. I know this because 10 years ago I was the survivor of a hate crime."
Here is a man who, along with the widows of Mark Stroman's two murdered victims, would choose to try to stop their perpetrator's execution. This rare witness of genuine forgiveness led to a dramatic change in the life of their perpetrator. A few weeks ago, countless people from all backgrounds joined in the plea for Stroman's life.
Read entire post and more here
Let's choose life and healing today by accepting this transformative invitation from this new movement:
"We invite you to join us in taking this image beyond imagination to reality. Learn about hate crimes through our website and work to prevent them. See our Get Involved section here
We’ve got to stop the hate and give peace a chance! Let’s work together to end the cycle of hate and violence, and make this world a better place for us and our next generations!"
Read an article about this story as well from Huffington Post here
See an earlier press conference on Reprieve's UK site - Rais Buiyan press conference in Germany from 05 July 2011 - here
Some of the places/events where "World Without Hate" plans to go...
We are taking the message into the world by speaking at:
- Churches
- Schools
- Prisons
- Universities
- Governments, and anywhere we can.
Events & Activities
October:
- Search for Common Ground, Washington, D.C.
- American University, D.C.
- Meeting with the co-founder of “Journey of Hope”
- CAIR (Council on American –Islamic Relations), Washington, DC.
November:
- Amnesty Regional West Conference, CA
- Amnesty Regional South Conference, NC
- Rome, Italy
December:
- Rome, Italy
Saturday, October 01, 2011
Asheville North Carolina: A Unique Position
Asheville stands in a unique position to positively affect this national movement and debate. The very next day after Troy Davis was executed as innocent, the North Carolina Innocence Commission, the only one in the country, found three Buncombe County men (translate as Asheville) completely innocent for murder and released them immediately from the Buncombe County Jail after serving a long ten years.
These so-called “Guiding Light 3” pled guilty upon threat of the death penalty, but ten years later, their attorneys found a suppressed video tape of the convenience store shooting. Unbelievably, the shooters' faces had been taped over with an episode of the soap opera, “Guiding Light,” within two hours after the tape arrived in the possession of the Buncombe County Sheriff's Department. No, this is not fiction. Three Buncombe County men were convicted for a murder they did not commit while the Buncombe County Sheriff's office framed them with a soap opera, evidence that was withheld by our DA's office.
In addition, the Asheville Police Department has been rocked with criminal scandal when it was discovered that large amounts of drugs, guns and money turned up “missing” from the evidence room and many large-scale drug trafficking cases had to be dismissed. Our Police Chief, Hogan, immediately “retired.” The SBI and independent auditors were called in and are expected to issue preliminary findings in coming weeks.
Other instances of local police and prosecutorial misconduct include racially targeting a Mexican man with trafficking 90 lbs of “tortilla dough,” (also, true story), and the random, unwarranted brutality of local musician Juan Holliday, as well as increasing excessive force and illegal searches, seizures and arrests. Anyone familiar with our local criminal justice system, as myself, can testify to the corruption in both law enforcement and prosecution. We have several bad apples that need to be removed, and to support our exemplary police officers, of which there are many.
Asheville must come together to educate itself about our local corruption and demand it's end, as we stand ready to employ a new Asheville Police Chief.
The execution of Troy Davis was a clear human rights violation, as leaders from all over the world strenuously called for it's halt. Seven of the nine witnesses recanting ever implicating Troy, one of the remaining two was the real killer. Pages of affidavits revealed police intimidation and threats to implicate Troy. Anyone with any sense could read those affidavits and their corroborating details and immediately see police misconduct against a black man led to Troy's conviction and ultimately execution by the State of Georgia.
As the spectacular timing suggests, North Carolina, and, in particular, Buncombe County, hold a key towards preventing wrongful convictions and ending execution of the innocent in the future, and perhaps ending the death penalty all together. The North Carolina Innocence Commission worked. The Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles did not.
These so-called “Guiding Light 3” pled guilty upon threat of the death penalty, but ten years later, their attorneys found a suppressed video tape of the convenience store shooting. Unbelievably, the shooters' faces had been taped over with an episode of the soap opera, “Guiding Light,” within two hours after the tape arrived in the possession of the Buncombe County Sheriff's Department. No, this is not fiction. Three Buncombe County men were convicted for a murder they did not commit while the Buncombe County Sheriff's office framed them with a soap opera, evidence that was withheld by our DA's office.
In addition, the Asheville Police Department has been rocked with criminal scandal when it was discovered that large amounts of drugs, guns and money turned up “missing” from the evidence room and many large-scale drug trafficking cases had to be dismissed. Our Police Chief, Hogan, immediately “retired.” The SBI and independent auditors were called in and are expected to issue preliminary findings in coming weeks.
Other instances of local police and prosecutorial misconduct include racially targeting a Mexican man with trafficking 90 lbs of “tortilla dough,” (also, true story), and the random, unwarranted brutality of local musician Juan Holliday, as well as increasing excessive force and illegal searches, seizures and arrests. Anyone familiar with our local criminal justice system, as myself, can testify to the corruption in both law enforcement and prosecution. We have several bad apples that need to be removed, and to support our exemplary police officers, of which there are many.
Asheville must come together to educate itself about our local corruption and demand it's end, as we stand ready to employ a new Asheville Police Chief.
The execution of Troy Davis was a clear human rights violation, as leaders from all over the world strenuously called for it's halt. Seven of the nine witnesses recanting ever implicating Troy, one of the remaining two was the real killer. Pages of affidavits revealed police intimidation and threats to implicate Troy. Anyone with any sense could read those affidavits and their corroborating details and immediately see police misconduct against a black man led to Troy's conviction and ultimately execution by the State of Georgia.
As the spectacular timing suggests, North Carolina, and, in particular, Buncombe County, hold a key towards preventing wrongful convictions and ending execution of the innocent in the future, and perhaps ending the death penalty all together. The North Carolina Innocence Commission worked. The Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles did not.
Journey of Hope and Bill Headed for Uganda
Bill Pelke
I am really getting excited about the Uganda Journey of Hope.
So is Bill Babbitt. Bill has been speaking around the world about his brother Manny who was executed in 1999. Bill has helped raise over $2000 so that this Journey can take place.
...
Randy Gardner is excited about going too. Randy founded Back to Basics Randy called the Journey of Hope office last year right after Christmas and told how his brother had been executed by firing squad five months earlier. Randy said he was busting at the gut to speak out against the death penalty with his firsthand experience. Randy will be having that chance when the Journey goes to Africa.
These two brothers will be sharing the torture that their families went through because of state sanctioned executions.
Charity Lee called the Journey of Hope office a few months ago and told me about the ELLA Foundation, a non-profit named after her four year old daughter. Ella was killed by her 13 year-old brother. Charity has seen crime from both sides of the fence. She has determined that Love conquers all. She told me she was looking for opportunities to share that love through speaking opportunities.
About three months ago, Edward Edmary Mpagi asked me if the Journey of Hope could come to Uganda and help him in his lonely efforts for abolition. My friend Dirk Sisson opened a door, other doors followed suit and in 5 short days the Journey of Hope is headed to Uganda.
The timing was set to coincide with the ninth annual World Day Against the Death Penalty on Oct 10. We leave for Uganda on October 2 and will speak in middle school, high school and college classes. We will be speaking at rallies, visiting the men’s death row, the women’s prison and family members of death row inmates.
Since Edward was exonerated from Uganda’s death row, he has spent his time working to build a school and orphanage for the children of death row and other inmates who were forced to leave school when their family member was incarcerated. For more information on Edward go to Dream One World When Maria Donatelli, Coordinator for the World Coalition to Abolish the death Penalty was made aware that the Journey of Hope was going to be in Uganda during World Day, she invited the Journey of Hope to
attend a two day conference sponsored by the WCADP and Hands Off Cain in Kigali, Rwanda October 12-14.
From Rwanda we head to Nairobi Kenya for several meetings returning to the US on October 19th.
I will try to make frequent posts on the Journey of Hope events Diary blog
Thank you for your support.
Please keep us in your prayers and thoughts.
In Love and Peace,
Bill
Bill Pelke
President, Journey of Hope…from Violence to Healing
WWW.JourneyofHope.org
877-9 24GIVE (4483)
“The answer is love and compassion for all of humanity”
Plz follow The Journey on FB Wall
I am really getting excited about the Uganda Journey of Hope.
So is Bill Babbitt. Bill has been speaking around the world about his brother Manny who was executed in 1999. Bill has helped raise over $2000 so that this Journey can take place.
...
Randy Gardner is excited about going too. Randy founded Back to Basics Randy called the Journey of Hope office last year right after Christmas and told how his brother had been executed by firing squad five months earlier. Randy said he was busting at the gut to speak out against the death penalty with his firsthand experience. Randy will be having that chance when the Journey goes to Africa.
These two brothers will be sharing the torture that their families went through because of state sanctioned executions.
Charity Lee called the Journey of Hope office a few months ago and told me about the ELLA Foundation, a non-profit named after her four year old daughter. Ella was killed by her 13 year-old brother. Charity has seen crime from both sides of the fence. She has determined that Love conquers all. She told me she was looking for opportunities to share that love through speaking opportunities.
About three months ago, Edward Edmary Mpagi asked me if the Journey of Hope could come to Uganda and help him in his lonely efforts for abolition. My friend Dirk Sisson opened a door, other doors followed suit and in 5 short days the Journey of Hope is headed to Uganda.
The timing was set to coincide with the ninth annual World Day Against the Death Penalty on Oct 10. We leave for Uganda on October 2 and will speak in middle school, high school and college classes. We will be speaking at rallies, visiting the men’s death row, the women’s prison and family members of death row inmates.
Since Edward was exonerated from Uganda’s death row, he has spent his time working to build a school and orphanage for the children of death row and other inmates who were forced to leave school when their family member was incarcerated. For more information on Edward go to Dream One World When Maria Donatelli, Coordinator for the World Coalition to Abolish the death Penalty was made aware that the Journey of Hope was going to be in Uganda during World Day, she invited the Journey of Hope to
attend a two day conference sponsored by the WCADP and Hands Off Cain in Kigali, Rwanda October 12-14.
From Rwanda we head to Nairobi Kenya for several meetings returning to the US on October 19th.
I will try to make frequent posts on the Journey of Hope events Diary blog
Thank you for your support.
Please keep us in your prayers and thoughts.
In Love and Peace,
Bill
Bill Pelke
President, Journey of Hope…from Violence to Healing
WWW.JourneyofHope.org
877-9 24GIVE (4483)
“The answer is love and compassion for all of humanity”
Plz follow The Journey on FB Wall
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