Subject: CRUCIAL! - 1000 VOICES AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY!

Date: 13 Apr 1996 14:37:32 GMT

Organization: Netcom

NNTP-Posting-Host: wil-de1-14.ix.netcom.com

X-NETCOM-Date: Sat Apr 13 7:37:32 AM PDT 1996

JOIN 1000 VOICES AGAINST THE NJ DEATH PENALTY:

Stop the NJ Executions Before They Start

March and Rally

April 20, 1996 / 11 AM

Where:

Second and Federal Streets, Trenton, New Jersey

NJ State Prison, Trenton NJ

Sponsor: NJ Coalition Against the Death Penalty

Endorsers: (list in formation)

Academics for Mumia Abu-Jamal

All Peoples Congress

American Civil Liberties Union - NJ

Amnesty International - NJ

Black Nia Force

Church Women United

Democratic Socialists of America - North Jersey

Ethical Cultural Society

Monica Moorehead, * Workers World Party Presidential Candidate

Zayid Muhammed, * Frontline Artists

Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition

International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal

Mercer County Greens

National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty

National Committee on Capital Punishment

Malcolm X Grassroots Movement

National Association for Advancement of Colored People - New Jersey

NJ Association on Corrections

Dale Jones, * NJ Deputy Public Defender

NJ Lawyers Guild

NJ-SPEAKOUT

Prisoners Self Help Legal Clinic

* Organizations for ID purposes

If your organization is not listed and it should be, please notify

me at bwitanek@igc.apc.org .

===========================================

Directions to Anti-Death Penalty Rally

Second and Federal Streets, Trenton, New Jersey

===========================================

>From the North Jersey:

Take the New Jersey Turnpike South to Exit 7A. After Toll, get

I-195 West (Trenton). Stay on 195 until it becomes Rt. 129/29 (in

left lane). When Rt. 129 and 29 split, bear right for Rt. 12 Make

a left at the Cass St. exit. The prison will be on your right.

Make a right at the light onto Second Street. The rally site is

right after the prison wall.

>From Morristown area:

Take 287 south to 202 to 206. Take 206 to I-295/95 South (signs

toward Pennsylvania) . Get off at the exit for Trenton/Rt 29 south.

Continue on Rt. 29-South, past the State House Complex. When you

see Waterfront Stadium, turn left onto Cass St. Travel 3 blocks

Turn left onto Second Street.

>From Northwestern Jersey and Flemington area

Take Rt. 31 South to Rt 202 South to Rt 179 (Lambertville Continue

South on 179 until it merges with Rt 29 south and foll directions

as above (Morristown area).

>From the South:

Take I-295 north to the junction with Rt. 129/29 (Trenton) . Follow

the directions as above (North Jersey area).

>From the Shore communities:

Take the Garden State Parkway to Exit 98 for I-195 West. Go west

on 195 until it merges with Rt. 129/29, and follow the directions

as above (North Jersey area).

>From Pennsylvania:

Take I-95 north to Trenton. Get off at the Rt. 1 exit (Trenton)

Take Rt. 1 north across the toll bridge. Take the Rt. 29 exit

(exit is right after bridge). Continue to the traffic light. Turn

left onto Rt. 29. Cass Street is the next traffic light. Turn

left. Waterfront Stadium will be on your right.

>From the Trenton Train Station

After exiting the train, walk toward the Yard Street exit. (Left

at the top of the stairs.) Take a cab to the prison. Cost is

approximately $3.00.

TRANSPORTATION

==============

Buses are being organized from various spots around New Jersey and

possibly some locations outside New Jersey. If you are interested

in getting on the bus against the death penalty on April 20, or can

hel in coordinating buses from your area, please contact me at

Thank you, Bob Witanek

For the NJ Coalition Against the Death Penalty

=========================

From: Bob Witanek

Subject: Press Release: 1000 Voices Against Death Penalty

Please forward this press release as far and wide as possible,

especially to press sites.

NEW JERSEY COALITION TO ABOLISH THE DEATH

PENALTY - 2 Washington Place, Newark, NJ 07102 (201)

642-2086, Fax:(201) 642-6523

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, April 9, 1996

CONTACTS: Bob Witanek, NJ-Speakout (908) 874-5891; Rev.

Michael Nabors, NAACP-Trenton Chapter (609) 695-6274; Ed

Martone, ACLU (201) 642-2086; Celeste Fitzgerald, Pax

Christi-NJ (201) 635-6396; Prof. Mark McClain Taylor,

Academics for Mumia Abu-Jamal (609)497-7918.

PRESS RELEASE

CAPITAL PUNISMMENT OPPONENTS TO RALLY 1000

STRONG AT NJ STATE PRISON IN TRENTON

"1000 Voices Against the NJ Death Penalty" is the theme of a

march and rally that will take place on April 20th at the NJ State

Prison in Trenton. Organizers promise to mobilize over 1000 NJ

residents for the event. The 54 executions that occurred in 1995

were an annual record for the nation since the 1976 reinstatement

of capital punishment, and 1996 is likely to see that figure easily

surpassed. Aware that New Jersey is poised to start its own

executions, activists in the state are working under the refrain,

"Stop the NJ executions before they begin."

Labor activists, religious leaders, students, lawyers, civil

rights activists, and community organizers - in all, representing

over thirty state-based organizations - have decided they must

speak out before their government begins any lethal injections in

the death chambers housed at the Trenton prison, at Second and

Federal Streets (just off State Highway 29), where the rally and

march will begin at 11:00 a-m on Saturday, April 20th.

Demonstrators will listen to speakers and march outside the

perimeter. The group sponsoring the march, the New Jersey

Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty is receiving a permit for

the demonstration from the Trenton Chief of Police and possesses

a street closing permit for Federal Street near the prison from the

Trenton Mayor's Office.

Rev. Michael Nabors, President of the Trenton chapter of the

NAACP stressed, "We are opposed to the death penalty because

it is inhumane and biased against people of color." A recent panel

convened by the NJ Supreme Court found that African-Americane

are ten times as likely to be sentenced to death as whites under NJ

death penalty law.

Bob Witanek, who coordinates NJ-Speakout, an internet

information list for citizens concerned with justice and public

policy in the state, highlighted the political goals of the

demonstration:

"Politicians in NJ manipulate people's fear of crime to gain

support for a harsher death penalty and other ineffective tough on

crime' measures. April 20th," he said, "will be the kick-off for

a movement to change this direction in New Jersey, emphasizing

justice and human rights instead of state executions and more

prisons."

Mark Taylor, professor at Princeton Theological Seminary, who

coordinates a group of 650 professors opposed to the execution of

Mumia Abu-jamal, the award-winning journalist on Pennsylvanials

death row, reported, "The opposition to the death penalty is broad

and deep among college and university teachers and students in the

state and nation.

Sponsoring organizations of the rally and march, in addition to

the NJ Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, include the

American Friends Service Committee, NJ-Speakout, Black Nia

Force, the NAACP-NJ, NJ Association of Corrections, Amnesty

International-NJ, Pax Christi-NJ, Malcolm X Grassroots Coalition,

NJ Lawyers Guild, Academics for Mumia Abu-Jamal and many

other groups.

=====================

From: Bob Witanek

The following piece has been submitted to THE WALL, a page

dedicated to prisoner dialogue of the Nubian News, a Trenton, NJ

African oriented newspaper.

=====

To: nubiannews@aol.com

TO THE WALL OF THE NUBIAN NEWS:

Being a prisoner in New Jersey must be disheartening these days,

especially if you follow developments at the Statehouse in

Trenton. Unable or unwilling to take action to deal with the

economic woes, provide jobs and improve the quality of life for

the majority of New Jersey residents, politicians in Trenton from

both political parties dish out a steady diet of prisoner bashing,

introducing and passing law after law providing for harsher

conditions for prisoners, increasing mandatory sentences,

increasing the application of the death penalty, reducing

likelihood of parole, spending more hundreds of millions on more

prisons and prison expansion, etc.

Well it is not all bad news. The good news is that on April 20,

1996, in front of the NJ State Prison in Trenton, over 1000

residents from around New Jersey and many more from outside

the state will be joining forces in a march and rally entitled "1000

VOICES AGAINST THE NJ DEATH PENALTY!" This historic

march will mark the kick off of a new Abolitionist Movement in

New Jersey with the goal of abolishing New Jersey's death

penalty.

This march will truly mark the dawn of a new day in NJ history.

In our thousands, we are going on record in opposition to NJ's

plans to begin the execution of prisoners in 1996. We are sending

a bold message to the politicians in the NJ Statehouse, that the

Carte Blanche for capital punishment and increasing its use is

being revoked. We will not sit idly by while this government

kills people inside NJ State Prison in Trenton.

As we mobilize against the NJ death penalty, we amass a powerful

force that has the potential to dramatically alter the political

landscape in New Jersey. For too long, politicians in Trenton

have gone unchallenged as they propose and pass laws calling for

a 'tougher' death penalty, and promote policies that will result in

many more thousands of NJ residents being locked away in

prisons. While these measures might make politicians appear as

they are tough on crime, they do little or nothing to reduce crime.

On this historic day, we put the first foot forward for a new

movement in New Jersey, a movement that will not only succeed

in eliminating NJ's death penalty, but will raise issues of justice

and human rights within the state of New Jersey. We will carry

forward from April 20 to make a contribution to the creation of a

better New Jersey, where justice is realized, human rights are

respected and the death penalty is abolished.

We invite all on the outside of the wall to join this important

march, which will amass at 11 am outside the walls of NJ State

Prison on 2nd. and Cass Street. We possess the necessary permits

from the Mayor's Office for the closing of Federal Street during

the demonstration and will be receiving the necessary permits from

the Chief of Police for the demonstration.

We invite those on the inside to spread the word about 1000

VOICES. Spread the word that people in the State of New Jersey

are finally taking notice of what is going on with the criminal

justice system. Send word to your families and friends on the

outside that they need to be at the walls of NJ State Prison on

April 20. We invite you also to take heart from this important

and historic event, that there is a new beginning. We are not

making any promises of immediate improvements in the day to day

life for prisoners, or the types of laws that the politicians are

passing. We do promise, however, that a struggle is being

organized which aims to eliminate the death penalty in New

Jersey, and fight for justice and human rights right here in New

Jersey.

Bob Witanek For the NJ Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty To

correspond: NJ Abolitionist, PO Box 1214, Belle Mead, NJ 08502

===================

From: Bob Witanek

/* Written 2:48 PM Apr 12, 1996 by bwitanek in igc:njspeakout

/* ---------- "1000 Voices - Transportation" ---------- */

1000 VOICES AGAINST THE NEW JERSEY DEATH

PENALTY

SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 11 AM, NJ STATE PRISON

CASS STREET AND SECOND AVENUE, TRENTON, NEW

JERSEY

Bus and other transportation information.

In order to secure the bus reservations, I need to pay all or part

of each bus in advance. Therefore, your cooperation in making

your bus arrangements AND paying for your seat in ADVANCE

(ASAP!!!!) is most appreciated. Also, contacting us immediately,

and paying immediately, assists us in gauging the possibility of

ADDITIONAL BUSES!

Having organized many buses to Washington DC, I am familiar

with the experience of not having any buses full until a day or two

before the action, and then, since too many people wait to the last

minute, not having enough buses as the phone rings off the hook

the last couple of days. Help us MULTIPLY our numbers for

April 20 by MAKING YOUR ARRANGEMENTS TODAY! I

MEAN, RIGHT NOW!!!

The following are transportation departure sites for the April 20

demonstration with information about how you can make

arrangements for such transportation: (Some details will be filled

in as info becomes available.)

New York City, NY

Car Caravan departs from

Call (212) , All Peoples Congress for Details

New York City, NY

Take PATH or train to Penn Station Newark, See Newark

Arrangements below:

Jersey City, NJ

Car Caravan Departs from

Call (201) 433-2332, All Peoples Congress for Info

Jersey City, NJ

Bus or Car Pool from St. Peters College

Departs from

Anna J. Brown, 201-915-4924 to purchase bux tix

Newark, NJ

Bus from Penn Station

Leaves 9am

Round Trip - $10 (Subsidized Seats Available)

Call Kim at (201) 344-8802 or Ed at (201) 642-2086 to purchase

bux tix

Newark, NJ

Leaves 9am from 972 Broad St.

Call (201) 643-3192 to purchase bux tix

Kean College

Bus From Kean College,

Morris Avenue, Union

Call Natasha at (908) 515-7841 to purchase bux tix

Madison, NJ

Buses from Drew University

Round Trip - (Subsidized Seats Available)

Call (201) xxx-xxxx to purchase bux tix

Atlantic City Area

Bus Leaves from Stockton State College in Pomona

Round Trip: ?

Call Uli: 609-296-6088 to purchase bux tix

New Brunswick

Bus from George Street / Livingston Avenue

(The Fountain)

Bus Leaves 9:30 am

Round Trip - $10 (Subsidized Seats Available)

Call: (908) 874-5891, Ask for Bob

(908) 572-1964, Ask for Eugene

to purchase bux tix

Princeton Theological Seminary

(Subsidized Seats Available)

Bus Leaves 9:30 am

Call (609) 497-7918 to purchase bux tix

Newark, NJ

Round Trip - $10 (Subsidized Seats Available)

Leaves 9 am from 972 Broad St.

Call (201) 643-3192 to purchase bux tix

Philadelphia, PA

Round Trip - $8 (Subsidized Seats Available)

Bus Leaves 9:30 am from 30th Street Station

Call Philly ACTUP 215-731-1844 or NPC (215) 724-1618

to purchase bux tix

This will likely be posted each day until April 20. If you know

of additional arrangements, please let me know and I will add

them to the list. You can also contact me with any questions about

these arrangements.

- Bob Witanek, for the NJ Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty

PS: If you know folks near any of these sites, perhaps you can

give them a call, urge them to participate and refer them to the

local transportation arrangements. - Bob

===========================

From: Bob Witanek

/* Written 7:50 PM Apr 10, 1996 by bwitanek in igc:njspeakout

THE NEW JERSEY ABOLTIONIST - COMING SOON!

On or before April 20, 1996, the first issue of THE NEW

JERSEY ABOLITIONIST, an 8 page newspaper deidicated to

abolishing the death penalty and fighting for justice and human

rights in New Jersey will hit the streets. The newspaper will be

distributed to participants and passers-by at the April 20 1000

VOICES AGAINST THE NEW JERSEY DEATH PENALTY

march and rally outside the NJ State Prison in Trenton, New

Jersey. A total of either 5000 or 10,000 copies of the newspaper

will be printed. Any issues left over after April 20th. will be

distributed on streets and campuses throughout New Jersey and

elsewhere. Below is a listing of some of the articles that will

appear.

If you would like a copy of the New Jersey Abolitionist, send a

check for $2 or more, payable to the NJ Coalition to Abolish the

Death Penalty, 2 Washington Place, Newark, NJ 07102. If you

want to help finance the printing of the newspaper so that I can go

with 10,000 instead of 5000 issues, checks of $10, $25, $50 or

$100 can be sent to the above organization and address.

The New Jersey Abolitionist is edited by Bob Witanek, who writes

many of the articles therein. While I am a member in good

standing with the NJ Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, the

opinions contained therein are my own and those of the other

writers. The newspaper is a publication of NJ-SPEAKOUT.

Turn the pages of the NEW JERSEY ABOLITIONIST, and you

will be turning the pages of history.

Articles:

"1000 VOICES AGAINST THE NJ DEATH PENALTY!"

NJ STATE PRISON - 11 AM - APRIL 20, 1996

Turning a Page in NJ History!

ABOUT THE NEW JERSEY ABOLITIONIST

COALITION TO ABOLISH THE DEATH PENALTY

STOP CONTROL UNITS

CALL TO CONFERENCE ON JUSTICE AND HUMAN

RIGHTS IN NEW JERSEY

THE LEGISLATIVE CLIMATE: NJ's WAR ON CRIME

NJ SENATOR JOHN CASEY - POLITICIAN WANTS TO KILL

KIDS

DEATH DEFYING GOVERNOR - IN SEARCH OF

PRISON BOOM

NATIONALLY: PRISON POPULATION GROWS AT RECORD

RATE

NEW JERSEY'S BOOM

NJ PRISON POPULATION BREAKS THE RECORD

NJ IS ONE OF 8 STATES WHERE PRISON OVERFLOW

FORCES 10% OF STATE INMATES INTO LOCAL JAILS

NJ COUNTY PRISONS BRIMMING WITH STATE PRISON

OVERFLOW

NJ's PRISON EXPANSION

WILLIAM KUNSTLER: DEATH PENALTY IN 3 VENUES

VOICE OF THE VOICELESS - MUMIA ABU-JAMAL

COMPILED BY SIS. MARPESSA KUPENDUA FROM

COMBINED WORLD SOURCES

RACISM AND THE CRIMINAL INJUSTICE SYSTEM

RACIAL DISPARITY IN COCAINE SENTENCING

UPHELD BY HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

STUDY FINDS BLACKS RECEIVE LONGER SENTENCES

FOR SIMILAR CRIMES

BLACK PRESENCE IN JAILS ON THE RISE

YOUTH:

YOUTH INCARCERATED IN NJ DETENTION CENTERS

WHEN THEY SHOULD RECEIVE

TREATMENT

DISPROPORTIONATE SENTENCING OF MINORITY YOUTH

IN NJ

THE INDUSTRY COMES TO NEW JERSEY

PRISON "PROFITIZATION" COMING TO NEW JERSEY

PRIVATE PRISON CAMP IN KEARNY, NJ?

COMMODIFICATION OF NJ PRISONERS - WHITMAN

PRIVATIZES PRISON HEALTH

SERVICES

MEANWHILE . . . TURNER CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION

OF PRIVATIZATION OF PRISON HEALTH SERVICES

COMPANIES PROFITING FROM PRIVATIZATION OF

PRISONS, COMMODIFICATION OF PRISONERS AND

PRISON SLAVE LABOR

PRISONERS AS A FUTURES COMMODITY?

PETITION TO GOVERNOR WHITMAN - COMMUTE DEATH

SENTENCES

INTERNET RESOURCES: INFORMATION ABOUT

NJ-SPEAKOUT@IGC.APC.ORG AND

POL-ABUSE@IGC.APC.ORG LIST SERVES

=======================

Submitted by: Sis. Marpessa

LET'S SEND A MESSAGE THEY CANNOT IGNORE!