Death Penalty Abolition: Upcoming Events
October 19-21, 2007
Weekend of Faith in Action on the Death
Penalty
Amnesty International USA is pleased to announce that the 2007
National Weekend of Faith in Action on the Death Penalty (NWFA)
will take place October 19-21, 2007.
Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) invites faith communities, interfaith
groups, human rights activists, and individuals of all faiths throughout
the country to devote the weekend of October 19-21, 2007 to the death
penalty issue, using your own faith traditions and values as a starting
point. Buddhist Peace Fellowship has been a co-sponsor of this event for many years.
AIUSA's National Weekend of Faith in Action on the Death Penalty (NWFA) is
an annual project coordinated by the Program to Abolish the Death Penalty.
Every October, the NWFA seeks to bring together faith communities and human
rights activists under the common cause of social justice. The NWFA can be
anything you want it to be in your community -- it's not a national
conference, it's a local event organized by people like you!
Local involvement in the NWFA takes many different forms and is based upon
the needs and comfort level of your community. In years past, participants
have hosted speakers on the death penalty, watched videos and held
discussions, led prayers, delivered sermons and dharma talks, organized vigils, and much
more. These activities have taken place on college and high school
campuses, in churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, and sanghas, in public
forums, and among interfaith groups of all sizes and affiliations.
Participants in the NWFA receive an organizing packet, which includes a comprehensive Faith in Action Resource Guidebook, as well as other practical resource materials. This year's Guidebook will include a dharma essay by Diana Lion, BPF Prison Program Director, as well as the cards BPF gives out called the "Declaration of the Preciousness of Life" which state that in the event of the holder's murder that they do not want the murderer to be executed.
In 2004, over 550 faith communities and groups representing diverse faith
traditions participated in the NWFA. This included 20 Buddhist communities
in at least 7 states and Mexico. We hope that you will join with us this
year in observing this solidarity weekend of reflection, discussion, and
action on the death penalty. Reach out and initiate an open dialogue with
members of your community!
Read more about dharma practitioners' involvement.
To register with the Amnesty International USA website click here.
For more information, please visit AmnestyUSA.
