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Volume 2, No. 5 SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016
THE CAMPAIGNER
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A message from Diann Rust-Tierney of the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty
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Last year we marked the four-year anniversary of Troy Davis’ execution by saying:
“We must become a focused, impassioned, and consistent political force with an unflagging memory. We must remember who has stood with us for justice and who has been unaccountable and unwilling to even examine the status quo of a flawed capital punishment system. We can best remember Troy Davis by being as unwavering in our commitment to work to end the death penalty as he was in his faith and his trust in us.”
In year five, how are we doing? The decision to build the 90 Million Strong Campaign was informed by our observations that the death penalty will end when the millions of people who oppose it stand up and hold lawmakers, prosecutors, boards of pardons and parole and politicians accountable for a failed, corrupt and morally indefensible system.
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The death penalty will end when people challenge the notion that we should continue with a policy that does not enhance public safety and does violence to our shared values of fairness and equality before the law.
We are happy to report that we have made substantial progress building that impassioned, consistent political force with an unflagging memory:
- Today, 22 national organizations have joined the 90 Million Strong Campaign.
We can now reach 90 million people through our combined networks.
- We are seeing the growth of individual activists and in coming months we have plans to increase our numbers and enhance our support to 90 Million Strong Volunteers.
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We pledged to do more than remember. We pledged to work!
- Share the memes in the Go Viral Section and Tweet: #90MillionStrong because we don’t forget.
- Post your picture on social media and share how you plan to remember and work for Troy Davis.
- Ask your club or group to join the 90Million Strong Campaign and send us their contact information; and
- Stay tuned for more ways that you can help!
The work of the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty has been the painstaking work of building and connecting a movement to oppose and abolish the death penalty.
Let’s take Margaret Mead’s quote to heart: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”
The National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty has been about the business of cultivating, nurturing, mentoring and training that group of committed citizens who are the backbone and leadership of the abolition movement. The National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty has been a principled, consistent voice against capital punishment for 40 years and that vigilance has brought us to a tipping point. Our collective success has been made possible by our partnerships with individuals and organizations like you. You can lead our nation into a future without the death penalty. (I promise we will not need to work on this another 40 years!) And don't forget to continue the conversation with us on
Twitter and
Facebook.
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90 Million Strong Takes Campaign on Road to Political Conventions
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Democratic National Convention attendees show they're 90 Million Strong.
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Montana abolitionists and Diann Rust-Tierney at the Republican National Convention.
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Liz Matory of CNXIS Consulting with Diann Rust-Tierney at the Republican National Convention.
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Democratic National Convention attendees strike a 90 Million Strong pose. Bottom center is former NCADP Board member and New Hampshire lawmaker Renny Cushing.
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ACROSS STATE LINES
Preparing for California, Nebraska Ballots
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Election Day Countdown
Now that it’s September, we're counting down to Election Day - particularly when it comes to Nebraska and California. Both states are facing critical ballot initiatives. In Nebraska, voters will be deciding whether to retain the law passed by the Unicameral that ended capital punishment, replacing the death penalty with Life Without Parole, or turn back the clock and reinstate the death penalty. California has two dueling initiatives: Proposition 62 would end the death penalty, replacing it with Life Without Parole, and Proposition 66 would double down on the death penalty, removing important safeguards that protect innocent people from slipping through the cracks and being executed. There’s not a lot of time to get the word out and every vote counts.
We need to make sure that every one of the 90 Million Strong of us voting in Nebraska and California knows about the ballot initiatives, pledges to vote, and helps get out the vote. Sign-up here to be a 90 Million Strong Volunteer and help push out updates and actions from 90 Million Strong and from the Nebraska and California campaigns to your networks, family and friends.
Even if you don’t live in Nebraska or California you can help by getting the word out to your friends and networks across the country. The more attention these initiatives get nationally, the more attention and exposure they will get in Nebraska and California. And you never know who in your broad networks will be connected to somebody in the state.
National Conference Call to Help Educate on California Ballot Measures
Join NACDL on Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT to discuss Proposition 62, which abolishes the death penalty, and Proposition 66, which would not only maintain the death penalty, but has the potential to cost the state even more and overburden local court resources. On this call you will hear about the two measures and learn how you can help.
Featured guest is David Crawford, Director of Community Outreach and Education at Death Penalty Focus. Please RSVP to the call by emailing [email protected]. Dial-in information will be sent to each registrant prior to the call.
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The National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty Joins the Global #GivingTuesday Campaign as it launches 90 Million2 to exponentially increase the impact of citizen engagement. Leading up to giving Tuesday and on the big day, the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty is planning grassroots briefings; spotlights on people who are making a difference by providing financial support, giving their time and sharing their stories with others.
We will ask people to volunteer, to encourage more people to sign a pledge to #HaltAllExecutions and get their organization to pass a resolution to join the 90 Million Strong Campaign and support the work financially. Over the next three years, it will take about $1 million a year to train and mobilize tens of thousands of volunteers to end the death penalty everywhere it remains. #Give90MillionStrong and #GivingTuesday are a perfect partnership to energize our efforts. It’s all about organizations and people coming together to make a difference in their communities.
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Support the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty While Shopping Online
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Remember, as you shop for your back-to-school needs, you can make your dollars do double duty and support the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty’s life-saving mission. We’ve partnered with Amazon Smile and Good Shop which donate a portion of sales to us when you shop on their sites.
It’s easy, and a great way to help the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty bring more powerful national organizations to this struggle and build more people power to end the death penalty.
And you thought you were just buying a backpack!
You can also order your 90 Million Strong tee-shirts and gear in our online store. Wear your support!
Just scan the barcode.
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Go Viral
It was just last year when the Pope visited the U.S. Do you remember what he said about the death penalty?
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“Executing Grace” by Shane Claiborne, offers a powerful and persuasive appeal for the abolition of the death penalty. The author tells stories of horrific pain and heroic grace through interviews of victims of violent crimes, survivors of death row, lawyers, experts, and an executioner.
Tour dates include:
September 27 – Dallas, TX
September 28 – Ft. Worth, TX
November 17 – Boone, NC
November 18 – Columbus, OH
November 19 – Cincinnati, OH
November 20 – Lucasville, OH
December 1 – Clarks Summit, PA
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40th Anniversary Event Partnerships, Sponsorships
For 40 years, the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty has been a principled, consistent voice against capital punishment, and that vigilance has brought us to a tipping point. Our collective success has been made possible by our partnerships with individuals and organizations like you. During our 40th anniversary event, we are seeking your help and partnership once again – through sponsorship. Your sponsorship will make possible the very first presentation of the Hugo Adam Bedau Visionary Leadership Award.
Hugo Adam Bedau was a distinguished scholar, philosopher, national leader, and founding member of the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. We will be honoring 90 Million Strong co-chair Karen Yarbrough and sponsor of the Illinois death penalty repeal law with the Hugo Adam Bedau Visionary Leadership Award at a reception on Thursday, October 20 at the Mott House on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.
Please click here for more information about being a sponsor. If you have any questions, please contact us at 202- 331-4090 ext. 212. or [email protected].
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You are the Muscle Behind the 90 Million Strong Campaign—Help Us Build the Power!
Renew your commitment to abolition in 2016 by supporting the
National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. The best way to solidify your commitment
is to become a Torchbearer with a monthly contribution.
DONATE TODAY
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Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action).
Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"
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