Fight to the death
INDIANAPOLIS - Amnesty International members gathered within the Statehouse's marble walls to protest the death penalty.
Amnesty International serves as a worldwide organization and a voice for prisoners of conscience. They speak up for people they believe are wrongly imprisoned by petitioning, lobbying and writing letters.
Franklin College’s group was among the many supporters and chapters of Amnesty International. Members there were Summer French, the chapter president, and David Wesche, the treasurer. It was their first time attending the annual gathering. Summer French said it was a good chance for them to do something off campus.
Simone Pilon, the advisor for Amnesty International and French professor, said they were meeting on this day in part because it’s Abolition Day—the day when Michigan abolished the death penalty except for treason, the first English-speaking entity in the world to do so - and to celebrate those who’ve had a big impact for their cause.
Wesche said he was there for the same reason, but also to get some insight for a presentation for Professor Yu-Long Ling’s class.
French was also there to see what more people have done as far as involvement with opposition to the death penalty.
They were all very pleased with the outcome. Pilon said, “I don’t think it usually draws big crowds, so it’s good for 4:30. I’m really impressed by the turnout for Franklin.”
Pilon was also there because she believes the event is very important to help people make a change. She said she thinks it’s inspiring for everyone.
A supporter, who wishes to remain anonymous, said that Indiana has a long and honorable tradition for criminal justice. An Indiana Supreme Court in 1856 created the law to that appoints a lawyer to a defendant who doesn’t have one. That was about a century before the Supreme Court made a ruling on the matter. He also said that in order to continue with the tradition they need to abolish the death penalty.
Jared Carter, a member and contemporary poet, said he was there because it marks the 1847 repeal for Michigan - they no longer have the death penalty - and in hopes that Indiana will one day abolish the death penalty.
Glenda Breeden received the Abolitionist of the Year award for her efforts for prisoners, writing and visiting them, giving them hope. She talked about a prisoner who spent three years on death row. She called for action to help abolish the death penalty.
The prisoner created a documentary among other things to help the abolition of the death penalty, even though he’s still in prison. She said she would not be surprised if he was one day to receive the Abolitionist of the Year.
Dianah Duvall said that the speakers are always fantastic and that there could be more people. She said if anything, students should come because it would be a great way for them to see the Statehouse. “When they execute folk, they do it in every body’s name; whether you want to or not,” James Taylor said.
In closing, Karen Burkhart, Amnesty International death abolition penalty coordinator, read from a letter sent by a prisoner. The last words on the letter were, “I can’t wait to stand with you [Amnesty International] whether physically or spiritually.”
Burkhart then called for the audience to write letters to Governor Mitch Daniels to ask him to abolish the death penalty.
