Archives: Updates & Action Alerts

• Executions suspended in New Jersey! Governor Richard Codey signed legislation that halts executions and will create a study commission to undertake an examination of the state’s death penalty system. See EJUSA's national press release.
• New Jersey State Senate (12/15/05) and House (1/9/06) both pass moratorium legislation with bipartisan support. See the EJUSA press release about the Senate vote and read the AP article about the House vote.
• US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) renew their opposition to the death penalty in a statement, citing its flaws and the growing trend away from capital punishment across the country.
• The Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Statistics released its yearly report showing that death sentences and executions are down for the fourth consecutive year.
• The editorial board of the largest newspaper in Alabama, the Birmingham News, announced a reversal of its long-time support for the death penalty, noting that a “culture of life” ethic was inconsistent with the death penalty’s many flaws—particularly the risk of executing the innocent.
• Recent study in California shows racism in the death penalty, "Death penalty study finds racial imbalance" from the San Francisco Chronicle
• America's history with lynching linked to the death penalty in two articles: "The Legacy of Lynching" from the Washington Post and "Southern Death Sentences Linked to History of Lynching" from Ohio State University.
• Judge John Roberts has been confirmed as the next Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court.  Where does he stand on the death penalty?
• Missouri state prosecutor re-opens the case of Larry Griffen, executed in 1995.  Read EJUSA's coverage.
• Over 100 organizations call on Ohio to halt executions.  During a press conference on may 19th, Ohioans to Stop Executions (OTSE) announced that over 100 small businesses, faith communities, local governments, and other organizations have called for a moratorium on executions.  Read OTSE's Press Release.
• New York Assembly Rejects the Death Penalty - The New York State Assembly voted against reinstatement of the death penalty on April 12th, 2005, effectively ending the death penalty, at least for now.  Read EJUSA's press release.  See the Moratorium News! victory edition.
• EJUSA Press Release: "Michael Ross survivor speaks against the death penalty as Connecticut legislature takes historic vote."  Read story in the Hartford Courant
• Catholic Bishops announce new death penalty campaign
• US Supreme Court Bars Death Penalty for Juveniles!

Pre-May 2002:

• April 2002: Ray Krone becomes the 100th innocent person to be released from death row nationwide as the National Tally of moratorium supporters hits 2,000 groups! Isn't 100 enough? Take action - send a press release from your local group or a letter to the editor of your newspaper.
  Samples and action alert...
• Equal Justice USA Legislative Update for 2001 (Dec. 2001)
• Action Alert: Cincinnati passes moratorium resolution! Letters to the editor needed (Dec. 2001)
• Action Alert: Moratorium t-shirt design contest (Sept. 2001)
• Action Alert: Urge the AMA to pass a moratorium resolution (June 2001)
• Action Alert: National Legislation (2000)
• Equal Justice USA Weekly Report: July 13, 2000
• Equal Justice USA Weekly Report: July 27, 2000
• Equal Justice USA: Weekly Report August 3, 2000
• Equal Justice USA Update (June 2000)
• Equal Justice Legislative Update for 2000 (April 2000)
• Action Alert: Contact the New Hampshire Senate Judiciary Committee (April 2000)
• Equal Justice USA Update (January 2000)
• Equal Justice USA Legislation Update for 1999 (November 1999)
• Equal Justice USA Update (September 1999)
• Equal Justice USA Update (July 1999)
• Equal Justice USA Update (May 1999)
• Equal Justice USA Update (March 1999)
• Equal Justice USA Campaign Summary (March 1999)
• Equal Justice USA Update (December 1998)

Return to Equal Justice USA home