PA. www.liadp.org

1 Keystone Plaza, Suite 200, Harrisburg, PA. 17101-2044 - corporate address
224 Matunis Dr. Loysville, PA. 17047 - mailing address 866-800-7278

The Legislative Initiative Against the Death Penalty was Initiated by former PA attorney general, Fred Speaker, before his death in1996 Mr Speaker's goal was to provide an organized group to focus on the abolition of the death penalty using educational and legislative strategies. The organization was Incorporated in 1998 as CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE TO ABOLISH THE DEATH PENALTY. In 2004 the name was changed to LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY, (LIADP.) LIADP is a 501(c)(4) corporation working to abolish the death penalty and seeking support for legislation that promotes this goal. Its membership has grown from 30 to 240 members and over 1200 sympathizers.

The LIADP vision is to abolish the death penalty in Pennsylvania and the United States. We work to energize the public and legislators with information that the death penalty is racist both as it is based on the race of the accused and the race of the victim, that it is unfairly awarded to those unable to pay for talented legal support, that it is unfairly imposed on those with deficient education, with mental retardation and mental illness The prosecution of capital cases is flawed in the unreliability of eye witness testimony, confession obtained under duress, witnesses with personal motivation to accuse, evidence that has been poorly collected or stored, and a public need for a conviction. The death penalty is unneccessary for public safety and more expensive than secure imprisonment. The death penalty fosters a mentality of violence and a lust for revenge.

LIADP sponsors a JUSTICE AWARD for upper high school and college students and an art exhibit, JUSTICE DENIED.


17074 or call 866-800-7278

PA. wwLEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE
AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY
http://www.liadp.org 866-800-7278

THE JUSTICE AWARD

ELIGIBLE STUDENTS - Pennsylvania students or student groups who are between 11th grade and college graduation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE AWARD -A $300 cash award to recognize the efforts of a student in advocating the abolition of the death penalty. The issues of unfairness, cruelty and immorality of the death penalty, mistaken identification and conviction, economic and racial influence on conviction, the absence of time for reconciliation, the effect on the families of the prisoner and the victim, the value of mercy and forgiveness and the disadvantages of state killing are among the issues the candidate may want to emphasize.

SUGGESTED PROJECTS -creative writing and essays, organizing a group to oppose the death penalty through rallies, vigils, workshops, speakers, visits, pilgrimages or debates, visual art, music, dance or drama. If you would like to discuss your project you may call Joanna Buck, 717-567-0120.

PROCEDURE - The candidate should submit a written record of a proposed project or one you have recently completed to the Board of Directors of the LIADP. Consultation with an adviser is recommended to oversee the work of the student. The work should be complete and ready to present by May 31, 2006. A committee of the LIADP will choose a Justice Award winner by August 15, 2006. The award will be presented at the LIADP Annual meeting in the fall of 2006. The decision of the LIADP Board of Directors is final.

CRITERIA FOR THE AWARD -The following will be considered in evaluating the entries:
1. How well the project reaches the audience
2. The applicant’s involvement in social justice issues.
3. Care taken in crafting the project
4. Does the project indicate passionate care and concern about the death penalty
5. Originality of the project

APPLICATION - The application should include:
1.name, address and phone number of the applicant
2. school name and location
3. name and address of the adviser
4. descripton of your project
5. comments on why you chose this project
6. signature of the applicant and the adviviser

send project and information to - Joanna Buck
3450 Middle Ridge Road
Newport, PA. 17074 or call 866-800-7278
www.liadp.org

JUSTICE DENIED: A PROJECT OF THE LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE AGINST THE DEATH PENALTY


THIS IS A COLLECTION OF 14 DRAWINGS BY JOANNA BUCK,. SHE IS RETIRED FROM A CAREER IN ART EDUCATION AND IS LIVING WITH HER HORSE, DOGS AND CATS IN A BEAUTIFULLY FORESTED SITE. SHE IS WELL KNOWN FOR PAINTING THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS FOR A SEMINARY IN UGANDA USING INDIGENOUS FIGURES AND CLOTHING.. LATER SHE PAINTED A NICARAGUAN SET FOR A MISSION THERE. HER PEACE RIBBON TAPESTRY WAS THE ONE CHOSEN FROM AMONG THOUSANDS CREATED TO PRESENT TO RAISA GORBACHEV.

MISS BUCK RESEARCHED EACH BIOGRAPHY AND CHOSE THESE SUBJECTS FROM MANY BECAUSE OF THEIR HUMAN INTEREST AND THEIR VALUE AS THE SUBJECT OF A WORK OF ART. LIADP IS WILLING TO LEND THESE DRAWINGS TO PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS SCHOOLS OR CHURCHES. THEY MAY BE BROUGHT IN FOR A SPECIAL OCCASION OR EXHIBITED FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME. A PROGRAM DISCUSSING THE DRAWINGS IS ALSO AVAILABLE.

IT IS HARD TO FACE THE HORROR OF THE HUMAN IMAGINATION WHEN SADISM AND CRUELTY BECOME ACCEPTABLE. PEOPLE OF CONSCIENCE ARE CALLED TO BELIEVE THAT COMPASSION IS EVEN STRONGER THAN THE MOTIVATION TO DESTROY LIFE. IN EVERY CASE THE EXECUTIONERS BELIEVED THAT WHAT THEY WERE DOING WAS A GOOD THING.


1. THE PERSISTENT CURSE OF HATE- LEO FRANK

LEO FRANK - A NEW YORK JEW, BOUGHT A PENCIL FACTORY IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA, IN 1915. BEFORE CHILD LABOR LAWS CHILDREN COMMONLY WORKED IN FACTORIES. ONE OF THESE CHILD LABORERS IN LEO FRANK’S FACTORY WAS KILLED IN THE BASEMENT OF THE FACTORY BUILDING. LEO WAS ACCUSED OF THE CRIME, ARRESTED AND THROWN IN JAIL. LEO DENIED ANY PART IN THE CRIME AND HIRED A LAWYER.

THE MOBS CHANTED "KILL THE JEW!" THEY BROKE INTO THE JAIL. KIDNAPPED HIM AND LYNCHED HIM. THE MEMBERS OF THE LYNCH MOB INCLUDED A JUDGE, AND A MEMBER OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE. HIS BEING A JEW AND NOT A LOCAL BOY WAS THE REASON HE WAS EXECUTED.

2. SOCRATES

SOCRATES WAS A FUNNY , LITTLE, FAT MAN. HE SPENT HIS TIME IN THE ATHENS MARKET PLACE, THE AGORA, TALKING TO STUDENTS ABOUT LIFE, DEATH AND HOW PEOPLE ARE MEANT TO BE. HIS METHOD OF TEACHING WAS THE DISCOURSE, THE BACK AND FORTH OF IDEAS. IT WAS INEVITABLE THAT SOME OF THE IDEAS WOULD CRITISIZE THE GOVERNMENT AND THIS WAS UNACCEPTABLE. HE WAS TOLD TO DISCONTINUE HIS TEACHING.

HE REPLIED,"I AM A GADFLY WHICH GOD HAS SENT TO KEEP AFTER YOU, TO MAKE YOU THINK." A GADFLY IS LIKE A HORSE FLY, CONSTANTLY BITING HERE AND THERE.

HE WAS ARRESTED AND SENTENCED TO DEATH. HIS CHARGE WAS THAT HE WAS A CORRUPTER OF YOUTH. HE IS ONE OF THE MOST WELL-KNOWN PEOPLE TO BE EXECUTED FOR HIS IDEAS.

HE DRANK THE HEMLOCK, MADE FROM A WEED FOUND GROWING IN OUR PASTURES TODAY.


3. JESUS

THE MOST WELL-KNOWN VICTIM OF THE DEATH PENALTY IS JESUS OF NAZARETH.

HE WAS CHARGED THAT HE CLAIMED TO BE THE MESSIAH AND THAT HE HAD HEALED ON THE SABBATH. THE JEWISH LEADERS OPPOSING HIM, THOSE AFRAID OF HIS POWER, MADE UP CHARGES: THEY SAID THAT HE WAS A ZEALOT, A TERRORIST AND IN CLAIMING TO BE THE MESSIAH HE WAS A DANGER TO THE POWER OF CEASER. THE JEWISH LEADERS, THE SANHEDRIN, TURNED HIM OVER TO THE ROMAN GOVERNOR, PILATE FOR SENTENCING.

PILATE WANTED TO AVOID EXECUTING JESUS. HE THOUGHT HE COULD SAVE JESUS BY OFFERING TO FREE EITHER JESUS OR BARABBAS, A WELL KNOWN REVOLUTIONARY. THE PEOPLE SAID SAVE BARABBAS. PILATE ASKED WHAT TO DO WITH JESUS. THE PEOPLE SHOUTED "CRUCIFY HIM!!"

HE WAS CRUCIFIED IN A STONE QUARRY IN JERUSALEM. CALVARY WAS A QUARRY OF POOR QUALITY STONES AND EXECUTONS WERE PERFORMED THERE. THE SIDES OF THE QUARRY HAD CAVES.

HIS NAME WAS NOT JESUS BUT YESHUA. PAUL CHANGED THE NAME BUT THE SOUND OF THE NAME DID NOT BEGIN WITH THE J SOUND UNTIL THE FRENCH LANGUAGE BEGAN TO USE THAT SOUND.


4. SAINT JOAN - JEANNE D’ARC

JOAN OF ARC, A STOCKY, BLACK HAIRED FARM GIRL, AT THE AGE OF THIRTEEN HAD VISIONS OF ANGELS ADVISING HER TO LEAD A HOLY LIFE AND LATER TO HELP THE DAUPHIN IN THE VERY TROUBLED TIMES IN FRANCE. SHE SAW A VISION THAT A SMALL ARMY UNDER HER LEADERSHIP SHOULD RAISE THE SEIGE OF ORLEANS.AND RECEIVED PEMISSION TO FOLLOW HER PLAN. SHE DRESSED IN ARMOR AND LED A SMALL BAND WHO FORCED THE BRITISH TO WITHDRAW. SHE ENCOURAGED THE DAUPHIN TO GO TO REIMS TO BE CROWNED AS KING THERE. SHE LED IN MANY OTHER BATTLES BETWEEN 1429 AND30, ALWAYS DRESSED IN THE CLOTHES OF A MAN.
SHE WAS CAPTURED BY THE BERGUNDIANS AND CHARGED WITH WITCHCRAFT AND HERESY. LATER HER CAPTORS SOLD HER TO THE BRITISH. SHE WAS A VICTIM OF A LONG, DISGRACEFUL AND UNFAIR TRIAL BEFORE CHURCH LEADERS IN ROUEN. ALTHOUGH THEY CONSTANTLY QUESTIONED HER VISIONS, THEY REALLY FAULTED HER FOR DRESSING AS A MAN. EVEN IN PRISON SHE WORE MEN’S CLOTHING TO PROTECT HERSELF FROM RAPE. AT THIS TIME THERE WAS NO UNDERWEAR SO A WOMAN’S BODY WAS QUITE NAKED UNDER HER SKIRTS.
JOAN WAS DECLARED GUILTY AND BURNED AT THE STAKE IN 1431. SHE WAS DENIED EVEN THE USUAL PAIN KILLING DRUGS OR A SMOKY FIRE THAT WOULD MAKE HER FAINT BEFORE BEING TOUCHED BY THE FLAMES. A REVISED TRIAL DECLARED HER INNOCENT IN 1455 AND SHE WAS DECLARED A SAINT IN THE CATHOIC CHURCH IN 1920.

5. A PACT WITH THE DEVIL - WITCHCRAFT

WITCHCRAFT WAS AN ATTEMPT BY THE COMUNITY TO RID ITSELF OF PEPLE WHO WERE MISUNDERSTOOD AND FEARED.
THE AUTHORITIES BELIEVED THAT THE VICTIMS HAD MADE A PACT WITH THE DEVIL, FEARED THEIR EFFECT ON OTHERS:
THAT THEY WOULD CAST SPELLS,
WIN CONVERTS TO WITCHCRAFT,
WEAKEN THE CHURCH.

WHO WERE THESE WITCHES - PEOPLE WITH TREMORS.
PEOPLE WHO KEPT COMPANION ANIMALS
PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS
USUALLY SINGLE WOMEN
PEOPLE WITH UNUSUAL SOCIAL HABITS

HERBS WERE THE ONLY AVAILABLE MEDICINE; PEOPLE WERE AFRAID OFCONTAGION FROM ANYONE WHO WAS DIFFERENT.

BIBICAL RATIONALE - THOU SHALT NOT SUFFER A WITCH TO LIVE. SAUL .CONSULTED A WITCH FOR ADVICE.

HOW DID THEY CONVICT THEM - PLANTED EVIDENCE
THEY TRIED TO GET THEIR PROPERTY

HOW WERE THEY EXECUTED - HANGING AND BURNING

6. ALL DRESSED UP TO DIE - ANN BOLEYN

ANN WAS INVITED TO BE PART OF THE COURT OF KING HENRY THE VIII WHERE SHE CAUGHT THE EYE OF THE KING. HER FAMILY,. WISHING TO INCREASE THEIR OWN POWER, INSISTED THAT ANN CONTINUE HER FLIRTATIONS. SHE WAS A DARK, SWARTHY, INTELLIGENT, WITTY GIRL AND AN EXCELLENT DANCER. SHE HAD A SHARP TONGUE AND WAS NOT KIND TO THE OTHER LADIES IN WAITING. HOWEVER, HENRY FANCIED HER AND THEY WERE SECRETLY MARRIED IN 1533. THE BISHOP DECLARED THAT HIS FORMER MARRIAGE TO CATHERINE WAS NULL.

ANN CONCEIVED A DAUGHTER WHO WOULD BECOME QUEEN ELIZABETH . HENRY WAS IN DIRE NEED OF A SON AND HEIR. ANN CONCEIVED A BOY BUT WAS MISCARRIED.

WHEN HENRY WANTED RID OF HER ANN WAS ACCUSED OF HAVING RELATIONS WITH OTHER MEN, INCLUDING HER BROTHER. HER LITTLE FINGER WAS DEFORMED AND THE COURT DECLARED THAT THIS WAS EVIDENCE THAT SHE WAS A WITCH. SHE WAS CONDEMNED TO DIE BY BEHEADING. THE DRAWING SHOWS HER APPROACHING HER EXECUTION WITH HER NECK BARED FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE EXECUTIONER. HER SERVANT CARRIED A COLTH TO WRAP HER HEAD IN AFTER THE DEED.



7. THE MACHINE

"MADAME GUILLOTINE" WAS A MACHINE INVENTED TO MAKE BEHEADING MORE MERCIFUL. WHEN DONE WITH AN AXE IT COULD TAKE SEVERAL BLOWS TO GET THE HEAD OFF. THE GUILLOTINE WAS QUICK (3 MINUTES) AND KEPT THE EXECUTIONER CLEAN.

IF AN ARISTOCRAT WAS CONDEMNED TO BEHEADING HE MIGHT HAVE HIS FAMILY PICK SOMEONE FROM THE STREET TO TAKE HIS PLACE.

THE GUILLOTINE WAS GIVEN UP BY THE EUROPEAN UNION. AN EXECUTIONER WAS A LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION TO THE DEATH PENALTY BECAUSE OF THE MANY MISTAKES HE HAD SEEN.



8. LED BY THE TRUTH - MARY DYER

MARY WAS A GOOD FRIEND OF ANN HUTCHINSON, EMMIGRATED TO RHODE ISLAND WHEN THE MASSACHUSETTS BAY COLONY REFUSED TO LET HER PREACH.

MARY AND ANN WERE PART OF A GROUP OF DISSENTING WOMEN WHO ENJOYED GETTING TOGETHER TO CRITICIZE THE SERMONS THEY HAD HEARD. THEY RETURNED TO ENGLAND WHERE MARY BECAME A QUAKER.

MARY RETURNED TO MASSACHUSETTS AND WAS BANISHED TWICE FOR PREACHING. THE AUTHORITIES SAID A WOMAN PREACHING WAS AN ABOMINATION. SAMUEL JOHNSON SAID THAT A WOMAN PREACHER WAS LIKE A DOG WALKING ON ITS HIND LEGS - SURPRISING THAT IT CAN DO IT AT ALL.

SHE RETURNED TO MASSACHLUSETTS AGAIN TO VISIT IMPRISONED QUAKERS. SHE WAS CONVICTED OFSEDITION AND HANGED ON A HIGH HILL.


9. GUILTY? MARY SURRAT

MARY SURRATT WAS A WIDOW WHO OWNED A BOARDING HOUSE IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. A GROUP OF CONFEDERATE SYMPATHIZERS WHICH INCLUDED HER SON, JOHN, MET IN HER BOARDING HOUSE. THEY PLANNED TO KIDNAP LINCOLN AND COLLECT A RANSOM. JOHN WENT TO PARIS.

THEN THE PLANS CHANGED TO ASSASINATE LINCOLN AND HIS CABINET ON GOOD FRIDAY.

JOHN WILKES BOOTH SHOT LINCOLN AND LEAPT TO THE STAGE IN AN EFFORT TO ESCAPE. HOWEVER, HE CAUGHT HIS FOOT AND BROKE A LEG.

DR. SAMUEL MUDD WAS CONSULTED AND TREATED BOOTH, MAKING THE COMMENT "MY NAME WILL BE MUDD."

MARY WAS ACUSED OF BEING A PART OF THE PLOT. DESPITE HER PROTESTS OF INNOCENCE, SHE WAS CONVICTED AND HANGED. UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE THE EXECUTIONER EXPECTED A PARDON BUT NO PARDON WAS GRANTED.

A SOCIETY IS WORKING TO PROVE THE INNOCENCE OF MARY SURRATT TO THIS DAY.

10. AMERICA’S OWN CRIME - LYNCHING

LYNCHING IS THE ACT OF PUTTING PEOPLE TO DEATH FOR AN ALLEGED CRIME WITHOUT A LEGAL TRIAL.

ALTHOUGH WE PRECEIVE IT AS PRIMARILY INVOLVING AFRICAN AMERICAN VICTIMS, SOME VICTIMS WERE WHITE AND WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHO WERE POWERLESS WERE ALSO LYNCHED. IT WAS USUALLY MOB ACTION AGAINST THOSE DESPISED BY THE COMMUNITY.

SOME LYNCHINGS WERE DONE IN SECRET WHILE OTHERS WERE DONE PUBLICLY WITH A HOLIDAY ENVIRONMENT.

SOMETIMES THERE WAS A VACATION FROM SCHOOL. RESPECTED AUTHORITIES WERE OFTEN PART OF THE PROCCESS. SOMETIMES A BAND PLAYED, A MINISTER DELIVERED A SERMON AND A CHOIR SANG.

BODY PARTS OF THE VICTIM WERE REMOVED AND SAVED AS TROPHIES. A PHOTOGRAPHER MADE POST CARDS AND PEOPLE SAVED THEM CIRCLING THEMSELVES IN THE PICTURE.

BETWEEN 1882 AND 1998 THERE WERE 4743 KNOWN LYNCHINGS.

ONE FAMOUS LYNCHING WAS THE DEATH OF EMMITT TILL, A 14 YEAR OLD BOY. HE WAS VISITING HIS COUSINS. THE BOYS GOT TOGETHER AND DARED EMMITT TO WHISTLE AT A WHITE WOMAN. HE PERFORMED THE DEED AND WAS LYNCHED BY A MOB FOR HIS INDESCRETION.

HERE IS RELIGIOUS SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS IN ITS MOST DESTRUCTIVE FORM.

11. THE LAMP BESIDE THE GOLDEN DOOR - SACCO AND VINCENTTI

ONE OF A GROUP OF IMMIGRANTS FROM ITALY, SACCO AND VINCENTTI WERE PART OF A LARGE ITALIAN AND GREEK IMMIGRANT POPULATION WHO LEFT THE EXTREME POVERTY AND IGNORANCE OF THEIR HOMELANDS TO COME TO THE UNITED STATES.

OFTEN THEY FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO EARN ENOUGH FOR THEIR NECCESSITIES HERE. IN 1920 SACCO AND VINCENTTI WERE WORKING AS FISH PEDDLERS IN BOSTON. THEY HAD NOT LEARNED ENGLISH NOR DID THEY UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPTS OF LIVING IN A FREE COUNTRY.

A MAN WAS MURDERED BY A THEIF WHO STOLE THE PAYROL WHERE THEY WORKED.

SACCO AND VINCENTTI WERE ACUSED OF THE CRIME. THEY DID NOT EVEN KNOW THE CHARGES AGAINST THEM. IT APPEARS THEY NEVER DID UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WER IN JAIL OR IN COURT. THEY DID NOT HAVE A COMPETANT LAWYER.

THEY WERE CONVICTED AND SENTENCED TO MURDER. THE COMMUNITY BEGGED FOR MERCY FOR THESE IGNORANT MEN. MANY FOREIGN LEADERS BEGGED FOR THEIR LIVES TO BE SPARED.

A COMMISSION LED BY THE PRESIDENT OF HARVARD CONSIDERED THE MATTER. SAID THAT THEY SHOULD BE HONORED FOR THE PRESIDENT OF HARVARD TO PULL THE SWITCH.

THEY WERE EXECUTED DESPITE AMPLE EVIDENCE THAT THEY WERE INNOCENT.

THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF MURDER CONVICTIONS PERPETRATED ON PEOOPLE WHO ARE "DIFFERENT FROM US."

12. THE MOLLY MAGUIRES - ALEX CAMPBELL

THE MOLLY MAGUIRES WAS AN ORGANIZATION, POSSIBLY AN INVENTION OF THE COAL COMPANIES AND THE RAILROADS. THE COMPANIES SAID THE MOLLYS WERE ILLEGAL. THE MOLLYS WERE KNOWN FOR THEIR OPPOSITION TO THE DREADFUL PRACTICES OF THE MANAGEMENT: LOW PAY, CHILD LABOR, MINE CAVE-INS, LONG HOURS.

ALEX CAMPBELL RAN A HOTEL NEAR WILKES BARRE IN THE EARLY 1900’S. HE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ORGANIZATION, THE ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS, WHICH HAD A REPUTATION FOR VIOLENCE AGAINST THE MINE OWNERS. MEMBERSHIP IN THIS ORGANIZATION WAS FORBIDDEN TO CHURCH MEMBERS. THIS VIOLENCE WAS CONNECTED TO THE UNION MOVEMENT.

A RAILROAD PORTER WAS MURDERED. SIX IRISH MEN WERE ACCUSED OF THE CRIME. THE MANAGEMENT SAID THESE MEN WERE PART OF THE MOLY MAGUIRES. THE IRISH MEN PROCLAIMED THEIR INNOCENCE BUT WERE FOUND GUILTY OF THE CRIME AND SENTENCED TO DEATH.

ALEX CAMPBELL SAT IN HIS PRISON CELL WATCHING THE SCAFFOLD BE BUILT. HE WATCHED THE TOWNS PEOPLE COME TO SEE THE SCAFFOLD. AS ALEX WAS LED FROM HIS CELL HE MUDDIED HIS HAND ON THE FLOOR AND MADE A PRINT BY PRESSING HIS HAND AGINAST THE WALL.

HE SAID THAT PRINT WOULD REMAIN FOREVER AS A MARK OF HIS INNOCENCE. HIS NEPHEW WROTE HIS BIOGRAPHY.

TOURISTS COME TO VIEW THE HAND PRINT.

13. ONE CONSCIENCE, ONE LIFE - FRANZ JAEGERSTATTER

IN THE EARLY DAYS OF WORLD WAR II THE AUSTRIANS SIDED WITH HITLER, THINKING HE WOULD UNITE THE GERMAN EMPIRE. THE PRIME MINISTER WHO OPPOSED HITLER FLED.

FRANZ WAS AN AUSTRIAN FARMER WHO REFUSED TO GO WHEN HE WAS CONSCRIPTED INTO THE GERMAN ARMY. HE WAS JUST A FARMER WITH A WIFE AND TWO DAUGHTERS. FRIENDS URGED HIM TO "GO ALONG" BUT HE SAID THAT NAZIISM WAS INCONSISTENT WITH CHRISTIANITY. HE WAS TAKEN PRISONER, TAKEN TO BERLIN AND GUILLETINED.

14. FOLLOW THE CROSS - KAJ MUNK

KAJ MUNK WAS A DANISH MINISTER AND A PLAYWRITE. AS A CHILD HE WAS AN ORPHAN OF THE ANDERSON FAMILY AND RAISED BY THE MUNK FAMILY. HIS PLAYS ALL HAD A SPIRITUAL MESSAGE.

THE GERMAN PEOPLE ADMIRED HITLER AND THE BROWN SHIRTS BECAUSE OF THEIR EMPHASIS ON SEXUAL MORALITY. SOME EUROPEANS PA. wwLEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE
AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY
http://www.liadp.org 866-800-7278

THE JUSTICE AWARD

ELIGIBLE STUDENTS - Pennsylvania students or student groups who are between 11th grade and college graduation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE AWARD -A $300 cash award to recognize the efforts of a student in advocating the abolition of the death penalty. The issues of unfairness, cruelty and immorality of the death penalty, mistaken identification and conviction, economic and racial influence on conviction, the absence of time for reconciliation, the effect on the families of the prisoner and the victim, the value of mercy and forgiveness and the disadvantages of state killing are among the issues the candidate may want to emphasize.

SUGGESTED PROJECTS -creative writing and essays, organizing a group to oppose the death penalty through rallies, vigils, workshops, speakers, visits, pilgrimages or debates, visual art, music, dance or drama. If you would like to discuss your project you may call Joanna Buck, 717-567-0120.

PROCEDURE - The candidate should submit a written record of a proposed project or one you have recently completed to the Board of Directors of the LIADP. Consultation with an adviser is recommended to oversee the work of the student. The work should be complete and ready to present by May 31, 2006. A committee of the LIADP will choose a Justice Award winner by August 15, 2006. The award will be presented at the LIADP Annual meeting in the fall of 2006. The decision of the LIADP Board of Directors is final.

CRITERIA FOR THE AWARD -The following will be considered in evaluating the entries:
1. How well the project reaches the audience
2. The applicant’s involvement in social justice issues.
3. Care taken in crafting the project
4. Does the project indicate passionate care and concern about the death penalty
5. Originality of the project

APPLICATION - The application should include:
1.name, address and phone number of the applicant
2. school name and location
3. name and address of the adviser
4. descripton of your project
5. comments on why you chose this project
6. signature of the applicant and the adviviser

send project and information to - Joanna Buck
3450 Middle Ridge Road
Newport, PA. 17074 or call 866-800-7278
www.liadp.org

JUSTICE DENIED: A PROJECT OF THE LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE AGINST THE DEATH PENALTY


THIS IS A COLLECTION OF 14 DRAWINGS BY JOANNA BUCK,. SHE IS RETIRED FROM A CAREER IN ART EDUCATION AND IS LIVING WITH HER HORSE, DOGS AND CATS IN A BEAUTIFULLY FORESTED SITE. SHE IS WELL KNOWN FOR PAINTING THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS FOR A SEMINARY IN UGANDA USING INDIGENOUS FIGURES AND CLOTHING.. LATER SHE PAINTED A NICARAGUAN SET FOR A MISSION THERE. HER PEACE RIBBON TAPESTRY WAS THE ONE CHOSEN FROM AMONG THOUSANDS CREATED TO PRESENT TO RAISA GORBACHEV.

MISS BUCK RESEARCHED EACH BIOGRAPHY AND CHOSE THESE SUBJECTS FROM MANY BECAUSE OF THEIR HUMAN INTEREST AND THEIR VALUE AS THE SUBJECT OF A WORK OF ART. LIADP IS WILLING TO LEND THESE DRAWINGS TO PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS SCHOOLS OR CHURCHES. THEY MAY BE BROUGHT IN FOR A SPECIAL OCCASION OR EXHIBITED FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME. A PROGRAM DISCUSSING THE DRAWINGS IS ALSO AVAILABLE.

IT IS HARD TO FACE THE HORROR OF THE HUMAN IMAGINATION WHEN SADISM AND CRUELTY BECOME ACCEPTABLE. PEOPLE OF CONSCIENCE ARE CALLED TO BELIEVE THAT COMPASSION IS EVEN STRONGER THAN THE MOTIVATION TO DESTROY LIFE. IN EVERY CASE THE EXECUTIONERS BELIEVED THAT WHAT THEY WERE DOING WAS A GOOD THING.


1. THE PERSISTENT CURSE OF HATE- LEO FRANK

LEO FRANK - A NEW YORK JEW, BOUGHT A PENCIL FACTORY IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA, IN 1915. BEFORE CHILD LABOR LAWS CHILDREN COMMONLY WORKED IN FACTORIES. ONE OF THESE CHILD LABORERS IN LEO FRANK’S FACTORY WAS KILLED IN THE BASEMENT OF THE FACTORY BUILDING. LEO WAS ACCUSED OF THE CRIME, ARRESTED AND THROWN IN JAIL. LEO DENIED ANY PART IN THE CRIME AND HIRED A LAWYER.

THE MOBS CHANTED "KILL THE JEW!" THEY BROKE INTO THE JAIL. KIDNAPPED HIM AND LYNCHED HIM. THE MEMBERS OF THE LYNCH MOB INCLUDED A JUDGE, AND A MEMBER OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE. HIS BEING A JEW AND NOT A LOCAL BOY WAS THE REASON HE WAS EXECUTED.

2. SOCRATES

SOCRATES WAS A FUNNY , LITTLE, FAT MAN. HE SPENT HIS TIME IN THE ATHENS MARKET PLACE, THE AGORA, TALKING TO STUDENTS ABOUT LIFE, DEATH AND HOW PEOPLE ARE MEANT TO BE. HIS METHOD OF TEACHING WAS THE DISCOURSE, THE BACK AND FORTH OF IDEAS. IT WAS INEVITABLE THAT SOME OF THE IDEAS WOULD CRITISIZE THE GOVERNMENT AND THIS WAS UNACCEPTABLE. HE WAS TOLD TO DISCONTINUE HIS TEACHING.

HE REPLIED,"I AM A GADFLY WHICH GOD HAS SENT TO KEEP AFTER YOU, TO MAKE YOU THINK." A GADFLY IS LIKE A HORSE FLY, CONSTANTLY BITING HERE AND THERE.

HE WAS ARRESTED AND SENTENCED TO DEATH. HIS CHARGE WAS THAT HE WAS A CORRUPTER OF YOUTH. HE IS ONE OF THE MOST WELL-KNOWN PEOPLE TO BE EXECUTED FOR HIS IDEAS.

HE DRANK THE HEMLOCK, MADE FROM A WEED FOUND GROWING IN OUR PASTURES TODAY.


3. JESUS

THE MOST WELL-KNOWN VICTIM OF THE DEATH PENALTY IS JESUS OF NAZARETH.

HE WAS CHARGED THAT HE CLAIMED TO BE THE MESSIAH AND THAT HE HAD HEALED ON THE SABBATH. THE JEWISH LEADERS OPPOSING HIM, THOSE AFRAID OF HIS POWER, MADE UP CHARGES: THEY SAID THAT HE WAS A ZEALOT, A TERRORIST AND IN CLAIMING TO BE THE MESSIAH HE WAS A DANGER TO THE POWER OF CEASER. THE JEWISH LEADERS, THE SANHEDRIN, TURNED HIM OVER TO THE ROMAN GOVERNOR, PILATE FOR SENTENCING.

PILATE WANTED TO AVOID EXECUTING JESUS. HE THOUGHT HE COULD SAVE JESUS BY OFFERING TO FREE EITHER JESUS OR BARABBAS, A WELL KNOWN REVOLUTIONARY. THE PEOPLE SAID SAVE BARABBAS. PILATE ASKED WHAT TO DO WITH JESUS. THE PEOPLE SHOUTED "CRUCIFY HIM!!"

HE WAS CRUCIFIED IN A STONE QUARRY IN JERUSALEM. CALVARY WAS A QUARRY OF POOR QUALITY STONES AND EXECUTONS WERE PERFORMED THERE. THE SIDES OF THE QUARRY HAD CAVES.

HIS NAME WAS NOT JESUS BUT YESHUA. PAUL CHANGED THE NAME BUT THE SOUND OF THE NAME DID NOT BEGIN WITH THE J SOUND UNTIL THE FRENCH LANGUAGE BEGAN TO USE THAT SOUND.


4. SAINT JOAN - JEANNE D’ARC

JOAN OF ARC, A STOCKY, BLACK HAIRED FARM GIRL, AT THE AGE OF THIRTEEN HAD VISIONS OF ANGELS ADVISING HER TO LEAD A HOLY LIFE AND LATER TO HELP THE DAUPHIN IN THE VERY TROUBLED TIMES IN FRANCE. SHE SAW A VISION THAT A SMALL ARMY UNDER HER LEADERSHIP SHOULD RAISE THE SEIGE OF ORLEANS.AND RECEIVED PEMISSION TO FOLLOW HER PLAN. SHE DRESSED IN ARMOR AND LED A SMALL BAND WHO FORCED THE BRITISH TO WITHDRAW. SHE ENCOURAGED THE DAUPHIN TO GO TO REIMS TO BE CROWNED AS KING THERE. SHE LED IN MANY OTHER BATTLES BETWEEN 1429 AND30, ALWAYS DRESSED IN THE CLOTHES OF A MAN.
SHE WAS CAPTURED BY THE BERGUNDIANS AND CHARGED WITH WITCHCRAFT AND HERESY. LATER HER CAPTORS SOLD HER TO THE BRITISH. SHE WAS A VICTIM OF A LONG, DISGRACEFUL AND UNFAIR TRIAL BEFORE CHURCH LEADERS IN ROUEN. ALTHOUGH THEY CONSTANTLY QUESTIONED HER VISIONS, THEY REALLY FAULTED HER FOR DRESSING AS A MAN. EVEN IN PRISON SHE WORE MEN’S CLOTHING TO PROTECT HERSELF FROM RAPE. AT THIS TIME THERE WAS NO UNDERWEAR SO A WOMAN’S BODY WAS QUITE NAKED UNDER HER SKIRTS.
JOAN WAS DECLARED GUILTY AND BURNED AT THE STAKE IN 1431. SHE WAS DENIED EVEN THE USUAL PAIN KILLING DRUGS OR A SMOKY FIRE THAT WOULD MAKE HER FAINT BEFORE BEING TOUCHED BY THE FLAMES. A REVISED TRIAL DECLARED HER INNOCENT IN 1455 AND SHE WAS DECLARED A SAINT IN THE CATHOIC CHURCH IN 1920.

5. A PACT WITH THE DEVIL - WITCHCRAFT

WITCHCRAFT WAS AN ATTEMPT BY THE COMUNITY TO RID ITSELF OF PEPLE WHO WERE MISUNDERSTOOD AND FEARED.
THE AUTHORITIES BELIEVED THAT THE VICTIMS HAD MADE A PACT WITH THE DEVIL, FEARED THEIR EFFECT ON OTHERS:
THAT THEY WOULD CAST SPELLS,
WIN CONVERTS TO WITCHCRAFT,
WEAKEN THE CHURCH.

WHO WERE THESE WITCHES - PEOPLE WITH TREMORS.
PEOPLE WHO KEPT COMPANION ANIMALS
PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS
USUALLY SINGLE WOMEN
PEOPLE WITH UNUSUAL SOCIAL HABITS

HERBS WERE THE ONLY AVAILABLE MEDICINE; PEOPLE WERE AFRAID OFCONTAGION FROM ANYONE WHO WAS DIFFERENT.

BIBICAL RATIONALE - THOU SHALT NOT SUFFER A WITCH TO LIVE. SAUL .CONSULTED A WITCH FOR ADVICE.

HOW DID THEY CONVICT THEM - PLANTED EVIDENCE
THEY TRIED TO GET THEIR PROPERTY

HOW WERE THEY EXECUTED - HANGING AND BURNING

6. ALL DRESSED UP TO DIE - ANN BOLEYN

ANN WAS INVITED TO BE PART OF THE COURT OF KING HENRY THE VIII WHERE SHE CAUGHT THE EYE OF THE KING. HER FAMILY,. WISHING TO INCREASE THEIR OWN POWER, INSISTED THAT ANN CONTINUE HER FLIRTATIONS. SHE WAS A DARK, SWARTHY, INTELLIGENT, WITTY GIRL AND AN EXCELLENT DANCER. SHE HAD A SHARP TONGUE AND WAS NOT KIND TO THE OTHER LADIES IN WAITING. HOWEVER, HENRY FANCIED HER AND THEY WERE SECRETLY MARRIED IN 1533. THE BISHOP DECLARED THAT HIS FORMER MARRIAGE TO CATHERINE WAS NULL.

ANN CONCEIVED A DAUGHTER WHO WOULD BECOME QUEEN ELIZABETH . HENRY WAS IN DIRE NEED OF A SON AND HEIR. ANN CONCEIVED A BOY BUT WAS MISCARRIED.

WHEN HENRY WANTED RID OF HER ANN WAS ACCUSED OF HAVING RELATIONS WITH OTHER MEN, INCLUDING HER BROTHER. HER LITTLE FINGER WAS DEFORMED AND THE COURT DECLARED THAT THIS WAS EVIDENCE THAT SHE WAS A WITCH. SHE WAS CONDEMNED TO DIE BY BEHEADING. THE DRAWING SHOWS HER APPROACHING HER EXECUTION WITH HER NECK BARED FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE EXECUTIONER. HER SERVANT CARRIED A COLTH TO WRAP HER HEAD IN AFTER THE DEED.



7. THE MACHINE

"MADAME GUILLOTINE" WAS A MACHINE INVENTED TO MAKE BEHEADING MORE MERCIFUL. WHEN DONE WITH AN AXE IT COULD TAKE SEVERAL BLOWS TO GET THE HEAD OFF. THE GUILLOTINE WAS QUICK (3 MINUTES) AND KEPT THE EXECUTIONER CLEAN.

IF AN ARISTOCRAT WAS CONDEMNED TO BEHEADING HE MIGHT HAVE HIS FAMILY PICK SOMEONE FROM THE STREET TO TAKE HIS PLACE.

THE GUILLOTINE WAS GIVEN UP BY THE EUROPEAN UNION. AN EXECUTIONER WAS A LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION TO THE DEATH PENALTY BECAUSE OF THE MANY MISTAKES HE HAD SEEN.



8. LED BY THE TRUTH - MARY DYER

MARY WAS A GOOD FRIEND OF ANN HUTCHINSON, EMMIGRATED TO RHODE ISLAND WHEN THE MASSACHUSETTS BAY COLONY REFUSED TO LET HER PREACH.

MARY AND ANN WERE PART OF A GROUP OF DISSENTING WOMEN WHO ENJOYED GETTING TOGETHER TO CRITICIZE THE SERMONS THEY HAD HEARD. THEY RETURNED TO ENGLAND WHERE MARY BECAME A QUAKER.

MARY RETURNED TO MASSACHUSETTS AND WAS BANISHED TWICE FOR PREACHING. THE AUTHORITIES SAID A WOMAN PREACHING WAS AN ABOMINATION. SAMUEL JOHNSON SAID THAT A WOMAN PREACHER WAS LIKE A DOG WALKING ON ITS HIND LEGS - SURPRISING THAT IT CAN DO IT AT ALL.

SHE RETURNED TO MASSACHLUSETTS AGAIN TO VISIT IMPRISONED QUAKERS. SHE WAS CONVICTED OFSEDITION AND HANGED ON A HIGH HILL.


9. GUILTY? MARY SURRAT

MARY SURRATT WAS A WIDOW WHO OWNED A BOARDING HOUSE IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. A GROUP OF CONFEDERATE SYMPATHIZERS WHICH INCLUDED HER SON, JOHN, MET IN HER BOARDING HOUSE. THEY PLANNED TO KIDNAP LINCOLN AND COLLECT A RANSOM. JOHN WENT TO PARIS.

THEN THE PLANS CHANGED TO ASSASINATE LINCOLN AND HIS CABINET ON GOOD FRIDAY.

JOHN WILKES BOOTH SHOT LINCOLN AND LEAPT TO THE STAGE IN AN EFFORT TO ESCAPE. HOWEVER, HE CAUGHT HIS FOOT AND BROKE A LEG.

DR. SAMUEL MUDD WAS CONSULTED AND TREATED BOOTH, MAKING THE COMMENT "MY NAME WILL BE MUDD."

MARY WAS ACUSED OF BEING A PART OF THE PLOT. DESPITE HER PROTESTS OF INNOCENCE, SHE WAS CONVICTED AND HANGED. UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE THE EXECUTIONER EXPECTED A PARDON BUT NO PARDON WAS GRANTED.

A SOCIETY IS WORKING TO PROVE THE INNOCENCE OF MARY SURRATT TO THIS DAY.

10. AMERICA’S OWN CRIME - LYNCHING

LYNCHING IS THE ACT OF PUTTING PEOPLE TO DEATH FOR AN ALLEGED CRIME WITHOUT A LEGAL TRIAL.

ALTHOUGH WE PRECEIVE IT AS PRIMARILY INVOLVING AFRICAN AMERICAN VICTIMS, SOME VICTIMS WERE WHITE AND WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHO WERE POWERLESS WERE ALSO LYNCHED. IT WAS USUALLY MOB ACTION AGAINST THOSE DESPISED BY THE COMMUNITY.

SOME LYNCHINGS WERE DONE IN SECRET WHILE OTHERS WERE DONE PUBLICLY WITH A HOLIDAY ENVIRONMENT.

SOMETIMES THERE WAS A VACATION FROM SCHOOL. RESPECTED AUTHORITIES WERE OFTEN PART OF THE PROCCESS. SOMETIMES A BAND PLAYED, A MINISTER DELIVERED A SERMON AND A CHOIR SANG.

BODY PARTS OF THE VICTIM WERE REMOVED AND SAVED AS TROPHIES. A PHOTOGRAPHER MADE POST CARDS AND PEOPLE SAVED THEM CIRCLING THEMSELVES IN THE PICTURE.

BETWEEN 1882 AND 1998 THERE WERE 4743 KNOWN LYNCHINGS.

ONE FAMOUS LYNCHING WAS THE DEATH OF EMMITT TILL, A 14 YEAR OLD BOY. HE WAS VISITING HIS COUSINS. THE BOYS GOT TOGETHER AND DARED EMMITT TO WHISTLE AT A WHITE WOMAN. HE PERFORMED THE DEED AND WAS LYNCHED BY A MOB FOR HIS INDESCRETION.

HERE IS RELIGIOUS SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS IN ITS MOST DESTRUCTIVE FORM.

11. THE LAMP BESIDE THE GOLDEN DOOR - SACCO AND VINCENTTI

ONE OF A GROUP OF IMMIGRANTS FROM ITALY, SACCO AND VINCENTTI WERE PART OF A LARGE ITALIAN AND GREEK IMMIGRANT POPULATION WHO LEFT THE EXTREME POVERTY AND IGNORANCE OF THEIR HOMELANDS TO COME TO THE UNITED STATES.

OFTEN THEY FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO EARN ENOUGH FOR THEIR NECCESSITIES HERE. IN 1920 SACCO AND VINCENTTI WERE WORKING AS FISH PEDDLERS IN BOSTON. THEY HAD NOT LEARNED ENGLISH NOR DID THEY UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPTS OF LIVING IN A FREE COUNTRY.

A MAN WAS MURDERED BY A THEIF WHO STOLE THE PAYROL WHERE THEY WORKED.

SACCO AND VINCENTTI WERE ACUSED OF THE CRIME. THEY DID NOT EVEN KNOW THE CHARGES AGAINST THEM. IT APPEARS THEY NEVER DID UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WER IN JAIL OR IN COURT. THEY DID NOT HAVE A COMPETANT LAWYER.

THEY WERE CONVICTED AND SENTENCED TO MURDER. THE COMMUNITY BEGGED FOR MERCY FOR THESE IGNORANT MEN. MANY FOREIGN LEADERS BEGGED FOR THEIR LIVES TO BE SPARED.

A COMMISSION LED BY THE PRESIDENT OF HARVARD CONSIDERED THE MATTER. SAID THAT THEY SHOULD BE HONORED FOR THE PRESIDENT OF HARVARD TO PULL THE SWITCH.

THEY WERE EXECUTED DESPITE AMPLE EVIDENCE THAT THEY WERE INNOCENT.

THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF MURDER CONVICTIONS PERPETRATED ON PEOOPLE WHO ARE "DIFFERENT FROM US."

12. THE MOLLY MAGUIRES - ALEX CAMPBELL

THE MOLLY MAGUIRES WAS AN ORGANIZATION, POSSIBLY AN INVENTION OF THE COAL COMPANIES AND THE RAILROADS. THE COMPANIES SAID THE MOLLYS WERE ILLEGAL. THE MOLLYS WERE KNOWN FOR THEIR OPPOSITION TO THE DREADFUL PRACTICES OF THE MANAGEMENT: LOW PAY, CHILD LABOR, MINE CAVE-INS, LONG HOURS.

ALEX CAMPBELL RAN A HOTEL NEAR WILKES BARRE IN THE EARLY 1900’S. HE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ORGANIZATION, THE ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS, WHICH HAD A REPUTATION FOR VIOLENCE AGAINST THE MINE OWNERS. MEMBERSHIP IN THIS ORGANIZATION WAS FORBIDDEN TO CHURCH MEMBERS. THIS VIOLENCE WAS CONNECTED TO THE UNION MOVEMENT.

A RAILROAD PORTER WAS MURDERED. SIX IRISH MEN WERE ACCUSED OF THE CRIME. THE MANAGEMENT SAID THESE MEN WERE PART OF THE MOLY MAGUIRES. THE IRISH MEN PROCLAIMED THEIR INNOCENCE BUT WERE FOUND GUILTY OF THE CRIME AND SENTENCED TO DEATH.

ALEX CAMPBELL SAT IN HIS PRISON CELL WATCHING THE SCAFFOLD BE BUILT. HE WATCHED THE TOWNS PEOPLE COME TO SEE THE SCAFFOLD. AS ALEX WAS LED FROM HIS CELL HE MUDDIED HIS HAND ON THE FLOOR AND MADE A PRINT BY PRESSING HIS HAND AGINAST THE WALL.

HE SAID THAT PRINT WOULD REMAIN FOREVER AS A MARK OF HIS INNOCENCE. HIS NEPHEW WROTE HIS BIOGRAPHY.

TOURISTS COME TO VIEW THE HAND PRINT.

13. ONE CONSCIENCE, ONE LIFE - FRANZ JAEGERSTATTER

IN THE EARLY DAYS OF WORLD WAR II THE AUSTRIANS SIDED WITH HITLER, THINKING HE WOULD UNITE THE GERMAN EMPIRE. THE PRIME MINISTER WHO OPPOSED HITLER FLED.

FRANZ WAS AN AUSTRIAN FARMER WHO REFUSED TO GO WHEN HE WAS CONSCRIPTED INTO THE GERMAN ARMY. HE WAS JUST A FARMER WITH A WIFE AND TWO DAUGHTERS. FRIENDS URGED HIM TO "GO ALONG" BUT HE SAID THAT NAZIISM WAS INCONSISTENT WITH CHRISTIANITY. HE WAS TAKEN PRISONER, TAKEN TO BERLIN AND GUILLETINED.

14. FOLLOW THE CROSS - KAJ MUNK

KAJ MUNK WAS A DANISH MINISTER AND A PLAYWRITE. AS A CHILD HE WAS AN ORPHAN OF THE ANDERSON FAMILY AND RAISED BY THE MUNK FAMILY. HIS PLAYS ALL HAD A SPIRITUAL MESSAGE.

THE GERMAN PEOPLE ADMIRED HITLER AND THE BROWN SHIRTS BECAUSE OF THEIR EMPHASIS ON SEXUAL MORALITY. SOME EUROPEANS PA. wwLEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE
AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY
http://www.liadp.org 866-800-7278

THE JUSTICE AWARD

ELIGIBLE STUDENTS - Pennsylvania students or student groups who are between 11th grade and college graduation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE AWARD -A $300 cash award to recognize the efforts of a student in advocating the abolition of the death penalty. The issues of unfairness, cruelty and immorality of the death penalty, mistaken identification and conviction, economic and racial influence on conviction, the absence of time for reconciliation, the effect on the families of the prisoner and the victim, the value of mercy and forgiveness and the disadvantages of state killing are among the issues the candidate may want to emphasize.

SUGGESTED PROJECTS -creative writing and essays, organizing a group to oppose the death penalty through rallies, vigils, workshops, speakers, visits, pilgrimages or debates, visual art, music, dance or drama. If you would like to discuss your project you may call Joanna Buck, 717-567-0120.

PROCEDURE - The candidate should submit a written record of a proposed project or one you have recently completed to the Board of Directors of the LIADP. Consultation with an adviser is recommended to oversee the work of the student. The work should be complete and ready to present by May 31, 2006. A committee of the LIADP will choose a Justice Award winner by August 15, 2006. The award will be presented at the LIADP Annual meeting in the fall of 2006. The decision of the LIADP Board of Directors is final.

CRITERIA FOR THE AWARD -The following will be considered in evaluating the entries:
1. How well the project reaches the audience
2. The applicant’s involvement in social justice issues.
3. Care taken in crafting the project
4. Does the project indicate passionate care and concern about the death penalty
5. Originality of the project

APPLICATION - The application should include:
1.name, address and phone number of the applicant
2. school name and location
3. name and address of the adviser
4. descripton of your project
5. comments on why you chose this project
6. signature of the applicant and the adviviser

send project and information to - Joanna Buck
3450 Middle Ridge Road
Newport, PA. 17074 or call 866-800-7278
www.liadp.org