From: Mark Clement <MClement@bruderhof.com> 
            Subject: <spg-l> FW: [cuadpupdate] National Governors Conference 
            Actions, 7/8 & 7/ 9
            Date: Tue, 27 Jun 2000 23:29:48 -0400

    

> Hello all,
>
> 	I've been so busy lately I haven't been able to get a
> new calendar update out, but this item is one that I wanted
> to disseminate immediately.  Please see the invitation from
> our friend and leader in Pennsylvania.  If you can help in
> any way, or attend and participate, please do.
>
> paz!
>
> --abe
>
> PS - THIS IS NEXT WEEKEND  --  JULY 8-11
>
> PLEASE FORWARD
>
>
> Dear friends:
>
> While most people know that the Republican Convention is taking place in
> Philadelphia this summer, many people are unaware that another major event
> is
> bringing those in political power to Pennsylvania in July.  Governor Tom
> Ridge is hosting the National Governors Conference, July 7th to 10th, at
> Penn
> State University.  Last year, 43 governors attended the gathering; with
> the
> elections pending, a similar or stronger turnout is expected.  At this
> event,
> CEOs of major corporations are invited to hobnob with the governors and
> inform them of the "needs" and interests of their companies.
>
> We believe that the governors -- many of them the signers of death
> warrants
> -- need to be informed about our concerns about the death penalty.  We
> believe that the public should have the same (if not greater) access to
> them
> to raise issues impacting all of us -- motivated not by self-interest, but
> by
> concern for our society.
>
> A number of public actions are being planned by Redirection 2000
> (www.redirect2000.org), a group of young people committed to social
> action.
> Among the issues they would like to raise are the death penalty and the
> growing call for a moratorium.  Pennsylvania Abolitionists is cooperating
> with the organizers of Redirection 2000 in calling for people to join in
> the
> demonstrations on July 8th and 9th.  A march and public protest is
> scheduled
> for July 8th.  Additionally, Pennsylvania Abolitionists is organizing a
> nonviolent direct action on July 9th to demand that the governors give us
> an
> opportunity to speak with them about the moratorium and to call on them to
>
> halt executions in their states (joining with the 12 states that already
> have
> abolished the death penalty.)  We are seeking people of conscience who are
>
> prepared to risk arrest in order to nonviolently present our message; we
> are
> also calling on people who are willing to be participate in a legal
> demonstration in support of this action.  With representatives from more
> than
> 300 media outlets present for the conference, this event gives us the
> opportunity to issue this call in a very public manner.
>
> For more information about the events, please call or email us as soon as
> possible.  While the time leading up to this conference is short, the
> impact
> of this event may be long-term.  Let us be challenged by the last words of
>
> Gary Graham (Shaka Sankofa), killed by poisoning last week by the state of
>
> Texas:  "Continue the struggle for the moratorium."
>
> Peace,
>
> Jeff Garis, Executive Director
>
> **************************************************************************
> ***
> PENNSYLVANIA  ABOLITIONISTS
> United Against the Death Penalty
> P.O. Box 58128, Philadelphia, PA  19102
> Phone: 215-724-6120     Fax: 215-729-6189
>