Heroes

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes; some come willingly, some by accident, and some with great reluctance. But, one thing that ties all heroes together is their sense of duty and responsibility to a greater cause. They have found the courage and conviction to stand for what they believe is right. They have given their lives to something bigger than themselves. ---- years ago, Bill Pelke found it in his heart to forgive a teenage girl for the murder of his 85 year old grandmother. Not only did he forgive this girl for what she'd done, but he took it upon himself to work diligently to save this girl from the death chamber, and he succeeded, having her sentence commuted from a death sentence to 60 years. Bill promised that if he were successful in saving young Paula Cooper's life, he would take every opportunity given him to speak out against capital punishment, and he has kept his promise. He now travels across the country speaking out against the death penalty whenever possible, attending rallies, marches, and participating in other various speaking engagements. Bill is a hero. His compassion and forgiveness has given him the courage to stand up and speak out against what he believes is a huge injustice. His courage allows him to relive his beloved grandmother's murder over and over again as he tells the story of his grief and his loss. His desire to educate his audience against the evils of capital punishment gives him the strength to tell his story and express to them the peace and closure given by forgiveness. It is now his mission. Over 20 years ago, a young nun became a pen pal to a death row inmate in Angola, Louisiana. Sister Helen Prejean eventually became the "spiritual advisor" to a man who she would eventually watch be executed. The experience disturbed her so deeply that she stopped the car as she was driven away after the execution and she vomited. The experience changed her life. Sister Helen never expected to become a leading figure in the fight to end the death penalty, but she now believes that her ministry is part of a divine plan.

In a recent Ohio newspaper interview she said, "I'm a person that is trying to live out of faith. I really see God's power behind this. I was a spiritual adviser to a man on death row in Louisiana in the early '80s when everybody and their cat believed in executions, and then I watched this man, Patrick Sonnier, be put to death in the electric chair, and after him I accompanied four others, and I wrote the book." A second book is now being written by Sister Helen, and it's due out next summer. Tentatively titled "Machinery and Death," it focuses on the execution of two other men who she watched die, and who she feels died innocent. When Sister Helen speaks, she pulls no punches. She speaks with knowledge and conviction, talking about the disproportionate number of minorities sentenced to death, and she puts the blame squarely on ineffective counsel and ambitious prosecutors. The death penalty "corrupts everybody it touches," she teaches. It corrupts the politicians who win votes by using capital punishment as evidence that they're "tough on crime." It makes false promises of closure to the victim's families who wait years for an execution only to find that this second death only leaves them empty and unfulfilled. She speaks the truth that we all know----that ambitious prosecutors can win convictions by withholding evidence and distorting the facts, and then turn a blind eye when someone innocent is convicted and subsequently executed. She tells her stories without flinching. Her fascinating tales of the human condition are interwoven with stark realities and peppered with death penalty statistics-she educates on the sly. "You have to show people, you have to tell them stories, you have to put faces on all this and take it out of the realm of the abstract," Sister Helen said. Sister Helen is a hero, too. Her privileged childhood as the daughter of an attorney did little to prepare herself for serving a mission in the inner city, or her eventual crusade to abolish the death penalty. But she has taken on this role without hesitation and with a tireless energy that makes her radiant and looking much younger than her 64 years. Like Bill Pelke, she relives the pain of the six executions she witnessed every time she speaks of them. It is her mission. When dedicated abolitionists like Bill Pelke and Sister Helen Prejean join forces, amazing things happen. Other heroes join together with them, and a good idea turns into a reality. Through the dedication and hard work of these few amazing individuals, the truth of the inequality and injustice of our legal system is being spread. Myths surrounding the death penalty are being corrected. The Journey of Hope…from violence to healing is one such amazing event. October of 2003 finds over 20 members from all over the country traveling across Ohio for 17 days, speaking at schools, churches, rallies, and before civic organizations in both small towns and in large cities. These "storytellers" share their experiences, their grief, and their healing with anyone who will listen. The speakers are both members of murder victim's families as well as death row family members. Some have national recognition, and some live a private life in obscurity until called to tell their tale. They are the silent heroes. Juan Melendez, the 24^th man released from Florida's death row due to a wrongful conviction, is a hero, too. He stands among the Journey participants as a testament to everything that is wrong with the system, and he receives enthused applause as he introduces himself. As sure as Bill Pelke and Sister Helen relive their pain when they tell their story, Juan surely must relive his pain of over 17 years on death row every time he speaks. When talking about the guys left behind, he quietly asks, "How's everyone doing?" And, he asks how things are going---what's new and what's changed? All these people, from all walks of life, have united together for the sole purpose of educating and demonstrate that forgiveness is the best method of healing. These ordinary people have come into their extraordinary roll as hero by choice and by accident, but together they work towards the same goal, and that is to promote an end to the cycle of violence. They teach that execution done in the name of the state is purely done for revenge and only creates more victims, not closure. We all have the ability to be a hero. We all have the ability and the obligation to be a part of the solution if we are able. Whether we are on the inside or the outside, we all are given the opportunity to do small things to educate others and to take on an active part in being compassionate and forgiving---with each other, and with ourselves. Together we can work for change, and together we can help heal each other by promoting forgiveness. Our lives depend on it.

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NEWS FROM THE OUTSIDE

To all of you who receive and hopefully read this newsletter, please be aware that you can help out too.

Also…..

Donations are welcome and very needed. All members of fdrag are working on a volunteer basis, which means that we are using our own money too. Which more often than not are not enough. Donations can be printer ink, stamps, envelopes in different sizes, birthday cards, note cards/greeting cards, and of course money too will be greatly appreciated- every little bit helps.

That is it from here, be of good courage and stay strong.

Hannah

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Dianne's rant of the month

Greetings, and a happy autumn to all! Finally we can all look forward to cooler temperatures, and here in Ohio it is downright COLD! I love it!

Some of you who have previously received the newsletter may find that it does not arrive this month, and I would like to offer a brief explanation as to what has happened. I know that rumours fly around that place, as they do out here, so I will try not to fuel any tales, and avoid stating anything that I do not know to be absolute fact, and I'll give you only the basics---at least as I understand them.

There has recently been a split within FDRAG, and several members have quit the group. That is a fact. A new group named FLOW has been formed, and some of these former members have joined, and I personally wish them all the luck in the world with their endeavours. Why the split, you wonder? Personally, I have no idea, but I can only assume that some members were unhappy with how things were done, or there was a conflict of personalities, or some members decided they could do a better job. This is pure speculation on my part, but that's usually why any organization breaks up---there is unhappiness somewhere by someone over something.

Whatever the reasons, I am sad to see it happen, and I'm even sadder to think that whatever problems exist, they are too large to be repaired. If people who are fighting the same battles can't put aside personal differences to work together, then what hope is there for enemies to sit down and have a dialogue that reaches an understanding?

Along with their departure came the announcement from some that they would not be sending in the newsletter any longer. One person stated as she left that she did nothing in FDRAG anyway but send in her four newsletters a month, but she also added that she could not belong to both groups as it was too much work. So be it. It is her choice to leave or to stay, to help or not, to work to improve the group or to abandon it, and nobody wants to pressure anyone into lending a hand if they feel they can't.

The newsletter is still a work in progress. We never claimed it was perfect. It needs a lot of work, and it needs more contributions---from members of FDRAG and from YOU! If we can't move forward from this point and learn from our mistakes how to make a better and more productive group, then we've got serious problems. I'd like to think there's hope for us to pull it together and grow into a stronger and more productive organization. Please help us do this! We exist to serve you, and for no other reason.

Please share the newsletter with your neighbours and pass it along to those who are no longer receiving it. Let us know if you no longer are receiving it and we will try to find replacements to send in your copy as soon as we can, but it will take time. Until then, please SHARE!!!!!!

Give us your suggestions and your thoughts. Please help make FDRAG something we can ALL be proud to be a part of. Thanks for your patience.

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Spiritual Corner

Samhain {The Wiccan New Year} Typically on or around: October 31st

Also Called: Halloween (October 31) - in American traditions; Samhain/All Hallows Eve (November 7th) - Celtic traditions; Martinmas/Old Hallowmas (November 11) - Scottish/Celtic traditions; Shadow fest - Strega traditions.

The Wiccan New Year represents the complete circle of the seasons and is the last of the three harvest Sabbaths. Although the traditions celebrate Samhain on different days, they are the same festival with the same celebration and intent. It is a festival of thanks and gratitude for the year past. A time to look back at the lessons you learned, the spiritual evolution you traversed and the special unions you made. A time to thank the God/Goddess for the bounty you received and shared. Represented by black candles to ward off negativity, gold to recognize the Sun God essence and orange to represent the joining of the higher and lower forces within and without. On the night of Samhain the veil between the spiritual world and the physical world is at it's thinnest. Therefore many will conduct rituals to honor the dead or those they lost during the past year. Many Witches believe this is the best time to communicate with those they lost or wish to converse with on the other side. Divination is especially heightened on this night, but extra caution for positive forces should also be heeded. Jack-o-lanterns, gourds, cider and other "Halloween"esque items can be used to decorate your home. Along with large golden-yellow mums in and about the house. It is also a good time to buy a new broom, change the wardrobe, the curtains and colors in your home. The last of the 3 harvest festivals, and the celebration of the Witch's New Year. Many witches look upon Samhain as the festival to renew the Wheel of the Year. The Celtic pagans believe this is the time with the God of the Witches year dies and is mourned by the Goddess. It is a time when the people are cast into darkness as they await the rebirth of the God at Yule. Many people call this time the Night of the Dead, which can be a dramatic phrase for the one time during the year when the veil between the living and spiritual world is at it's thinnest. It can be looked at as the night when past relatives and friends walk the earth and share their knowledge and wisdom with the living. It is a night when much spiritual growth can be achieved and blockages that hold you back can be broken.

For many this is the most important festival of the witches year. It is very sacred and represents the time between October 31st and the Yule Sabbath for a witch to turn their attention inward for growth, knowledge and spiritual advancement. A time to take stock of what you have learned and what you have left to accomplish. Also known as Hallowmas, Hallows Eve, Samana and Samhuinn.

Sabbath Symbols

The colors of the festival are black and orange. Black to represent the time of darkness after the death of the God. Orange to represent awaiting the dawn of his rebirth at Yule. Jack-o-lanterns originated from the custom of lighting candles for the dead to follow as they walk the earth and it's still a wonderful custom today. Treats also originate from an old custom of leaving cookies and other foods out for those relatives to enjoy as they shared this one night of embodiment. Feeding the dead is still widely practiced in Celtic lands.

When Jesus said: love your enemies, I think he probably meant: Don't kill them!

It was nearing Rosh Hoshana

A yeshiva asked a certain Rabbi to visit and speak to the students to inspire them to teshuva (repentance). He gave a moving speech and the students were very inspired. The next year, close to Rosh Hoshana they decided to invite the same Rabbi to talk. He gave the exact same speech! One of the students went over to the Rabbi after the talk and pointed this out. The Rabbi responded, "So - you did the same aveiros (sins)!".

Every Rosh Hoshana/Yom Kippur we ask G-d to forgive us, and every Yom Kippur we are forgiven. Why? I am pretty sure that I have not merited it. Certainly, I have repeated many of the sins that I supposedly repented for in previous years. I don't believe I have been forgiven on the basis of merit. It must be on the basis of potential. It is so easy to get caught up in life and the various traps that restrict ourselves and prevent us from achieving what we are capable of. We tend to become more pessimistic as time goes on. Of course, we call this being realistic (sounds so wise and mature). G-d, however, can see our potential. His view is unencumbered by the particularities of temporary difficulties. Whatever we have become, He can still see what we COULD be. And he is excited by this possibility. So excited, that He not only forgives us, but immediately calls us all together for a great gathering and a week of celebration(Succos)! This is much like a bris. The parents are beaming. There are filled with hopes. The possibilities are limitless! What has the baby accomplished? The great joy, the hopes, the celebration - all based on potential. Maybe this is a hint as to how we should approach the Days of Awe. Yes, we should feel bad over our sins and implement steps to keep away from sin. We should also feel excited over the potential. A clean slate awaits us! Hashem has faith in us (as we say in Modeh Ani when we awaken - Rabbah emunasecha - how great is your faith - meaning faith in us). Hashem is excited over our potential. Let us go with simcha to repent - there is no limit to what we can achieve. Let us ask hashem to make us like the baby - renew us with a fresh start - full of potential. And may we merit to see more of what Hashem sees in us, so we can turn that potential into a source of nachas(parental pride) for Hashem.

May you be inscribed and sealed for a healthy year filled with material and spiritual success!

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The Journey of Hope in Ohio

I have just spent 8 days with all my heroes, touring all over Ohio to spread a message of forgiveness, love and compassion. Some I had heard about even before coming to the states, some I had yet too meet. Nevertheless, I spend 8 days with some of the biggest abolitionists in the country.

I have been home for 3 days now, and still cannot talk about it without crying. I wish all of you could have been there, to see how forgiveness works miracles, how reconciliation and compassion can heal where violence fall short every time.

I spend a whole day with a mother who had her beloved child brutally murdered, and who was now visiting the man on death row who killed her child. Allowing her self and the man to heal, to understand and move on in love and peace. Aba Gayle - thanks!

I spend another entire day with a man whose faith told him to be a peacemaker, a pacifist, but who battled with the anger and hate towards his brothers murderer- just to let forgiveness win. Ben Griffith- Thanks!

I spend time with Bill Pelke, whose grandmother was brutally murdered, and whose murderer was the youngest female on death row in the country. He worked hard to get her off DR, and started visiting and writing this child who is now a grown woman and well educated due to support and love, and who might very well come home one day.

Sam Shepherd who lost his pregnant mother to a murderer, and his dad who was accused of having killed her, and who fought a long hard battle before being freed and who never really recovered. Sam Shepherd has been fighting the Death penalty for many many years.

George White, whose wife was murdered, and he himself accused and imprisoned for years. The Weirs, who have the house of hope in Georgia, and who spend most of their time helping death row families through the process and the trials. Bud Welch whose daughter died in the Oklahoma bombing, Shirley Dicks, Kathy, Jana, Rachel King, Abe Bonowitz, Juan Melendez, I can't mention all the names, as I spend time with so many wonderful people who were from both sides of the fence. Murder victims' families. Death row families, exonerated death row inmates, wrongfully convicted, abolitionists and civil rights movement people. We were all there with one common goal. To educate the public, to share stories, to reach out and show that there is another way, and alternative to killing, another solution than the Death penalty.

I had the absolute honor and privilege to meet Sister Helen Prejean, who wrote the book "dead man walking", and who has dedicated her life to end the death penalty, who has spoken to his Holiness- the Pope, and who has been nominated for the Nobel peace prize more than once. One of the most humbling experiences in my life. This little wonderful lady had personality enough to fill up a huge church and then some.

What I did see on this tour was another part of America than I have ever seen in Starke, Florida. I saw all kinds of different Christian denominations meet and talk about working together to end the madness of killing. I literally spoke to about 1700 high school kids and heard intelligent, critical questions. I attended rallies and marches, and saw dedicated, loving, hardworking people, busting their butts for absolutely nothing but the gratification of knowing they were fighting against something they found wrong. People who had no personal agenda, people who just felt they had to do something, people whose hearts are crying for people (you) they don't even know, -Just because it is the right thing to do.

I went on this journey with the intent to make a difference, yet found myself being the one finding hope, encouragement and new strength to go on. I saw what I have failed to see in this part of Florida. Unity against the Death penalty, caring loving people, dedicated people, and people with faith enough to believe they can make a difference. I am writing this not only to pass on this hope, but also to ask you to remember these people, and with thoughts and prayers support those who use all their spare time trying to save your lives. For no other reason than a strong sense of right and wrong, and with a heart big enough to embrace, their "enemy", "their neighbor", and "the least among them". Not with judgement, hate or revenge, but with love, mercy and compassion.

I feel I have just spend a week in the presence of God.
Hannah

Yours truly. With Sister Helen Prejean. As happy as I can be. Not every day you get a chance to tell your biggest hero what she has meant in your life, and just say "Thanks!"

Juan Melendez and Bill Pelke, the Founder of the "Journey of Hope." An organization working to end the death penalty. From Violence to Healing.

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October Birthdays - Congratulations!!

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LETHAL INJECTION

In recent times there have been a number of articles on the issue of lethal executions. Tom Lyons reported in September, in Miami Herald, that the perception that lethal injection offered an easier way out than the electric chair had caused an increase in the number of people who elected to give up their appeals - a disturbing, but perhaps predictable, trend. Mr. Lyons refers to lethal executions as 'dead-man-sleeping' (in part to illustrate the disparity between the seemingly easy death inflicted by lethal injection, and the horrors of the electric chair.) Well, perhaps there's that…..So this possibility obviously influenced FDRAG's decision to use the space on this page to discuss the most recent developments regarding the lethal injection protocol, which is in use in most states using this method of execution.

New York Times reported October 7th, that a growing number of legal and medical experts are warning that the apparent tranquility of a lethal injection may be deceptive. They say the standard method of executing people in most states could lead to paralysis that masks intense distress, leaving a wide-awake inmate unable to speak or cry out as he slowly suffocates. The drug, which may hide distress, is Pancuronium Bromide (Pavulon), a muscle relaxant which causes paralysis but does not induce unconsciousness.

Interestingly, it became illegal in 2001 in Tennessee to use this drug for euthanizing pets - a ban which did not extend to the use of that drug for the purpose of killing humans in that state. Following a recent lawsuit by a death row inmate there, Judge Ellen Hobbs Lyle found that Pancuronium Bromide has "no legitimate use", confirming what medical experts had claimed all along. The judge added: "The subject gives all the appearances of a serene expiration when actually the subject is feeling and perceiving the excruciatingly painful ordeal of death by lethal injection," and described further, that in the worst-case scenario "PAVULON" gives a false impression of serenity to viewers, making punishment by death more palatable and acceptable to society." At a hearing in the case, a woman who had the drug as well as anesthesia administered prior to eye-surgery, testified that the experience was "terrifying and torturous" because the anesthesia was ineffective. She could not, she said, communicate that she was awake. "I remember using every ounce of my strength to try to move," she said.... Ms. Weihrer called the experience "worse than death." Still, Judge Lyle stopped short of finding the use of the drug to be in violation of the Constitution's ban on cruel and unusual punishment, citing its wide usage and the "less than remote chance that the prisoner will be subjected to unnecessary physical pain or psychological suffering." There is a disturbingly extensive and growing list of botched executions using the lethal injection method - mostly, this list documents problems related to insertion of the IV (blow-outs, when the hypodermic needle doesn't stay in place, and the procedure known as venous cut-down, sometimes used to find a suitable vein for injection). In FL, lethal injection is administered manually, so botching the process due to human error is certainly within the realm of possibility. The available information states that all three dosages are supposed to be lethal, which begs the question why the DOC should continue to include a drug, which has no legitimate purpose, and simply poses a risk of both causing and masking suffering of the condemned. We will follow the debate, and keep you updated. (a friend)

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Art Corner

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POETRY CORNER

HAND OF KINDNESS

SOMETHING WORTH LEAVING BEHIND

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FDRAG & MEMBERSHIP

This group is created by families and friends of death row inmates in Florida. It is a given that this group is against Capital punishment. It is however, not the purpose for this group to do anti- death penalty work-, instead this group concentrates on making the living conditions for death row inmates tolerable. We also commit to work on making changes that will improve

The quality of living in that particular environment called Death Row, and to help keeping the standard that already exists. Everyone who is willing to work for basic human rights is welcome. If you are looking for a group who does anti death penalty work, we suggest you join one of the excellent groups already up and running. For further information please contact a member near you:

USA

THE NETHERLANDS

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