Delaware

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Town Hall Meeting – Tuesday 11/17 in Wilmington

Town Hall Mtg 111715

Join us at this very important town hall meeting. Momentum for repeal is growing. A large crowd at this event will show our legislators and the media that we will not tolerate racial bias in Delaware’s criminal justice system, especially the death penalty. The event “Life or Death: A Critical Look at Criminal Justice and Race,” will be held at 7 pm at Tabernacle Full Gospel Baptist Church, 501 N Washington St, Wilmington, DE 19801. It will feature an extraordinary group of speakers including: Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court Leo Strine; Tamika Mallory, Director of the National Action Network; Shefon Taylor and Charles Madden with the Wilmington HOPE Commission; and Yasser Payne, Professor of Black American Studies at the University of Delaware.

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Upcoming Criminal Justice Reform Events in Delaware

Join the discussion of Criminal Justice Reform. Come to one, two, or all of the following events and learn more about Criminal Justice. Raise your voice in support of death penalty repeal. Other events will be posted as they are scheduled.

Criminal Justice Events 2015

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SB 40 held up in Committee – still needs one signature

Democracy lost on Wednesday when six House Judiciary Committee members refused to sign SB 40 out of committee, thereby preventing a vote by all Representatives in the state. Thank you to Rep. Sean Lynn for his courageous sponsorship. Thank you to Reps Smith, Potter, Johnson, and Brady for their support. Please continue to write Reps Spiegelman, Paradee, Smyk, Mitchell, Wilson, and Outten urging them to sign SB40 out of committee. Thank you to all the organizers and all those who testified. Many wise and heartfelt words were shared.

According to DE Repeal representative Rachel Livingston, “One Legislative Hall veteran said it was probably the best testimony ever presented to a committee in his 35+ years. Our voices were heard!”

We will be in touch next week about what more you can do to help. It’s not over!
For now:
• Check out all the great pictures on the Delaware Repeal Facebook page.
• Continue liking and sharing DE Repeal posts and pictures on Facebook and Twitter.
• Write letters to the editor to your local newspaper to express your disappointment with the outcome of the House Judiciary Committee Hearing for SB 40.
• Encourage friends to “Like” the Delaware Citizens Opposed to the Death Penalty and DE Repeal Facebook pages.

In the meantime, never fear, Nevada has successfully passed its repeal bill in two out of three debates. The third debate is expected this coming week. Although the Governor is expected to veto, the majority so far is great enough to override a veto. Such good work from our Conservative neighbors to the West!

Thank you for your continued support!

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Governor Supports Repeal of Death Penalty

On May 7, 2015, Gov. Jack Markell announced that he is in support of repeal of the death penalty!  In a statement to the press Gov. Markell said:

“It doesn’t make us safer.  Should the repeal bill come to my desk, I would sign it.”

“This is not an easy issue. My thinking has changed and I just wanted to give it very careful consideration.”

“I know this is a really difficult issue for members of the General Assembly.  I hope that after considering the arguments as I have, they will reach the same conclusion that I have.”

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Lobby Day 5/6/15 and Hearing 5/13/15 in Dover

We have two major events coming up in the next couple weeks, and need your support and presence for one or both days. If you can’t there is still another way you can help. Here’s how:

  • Join our lobby day on Wednesday, May 6 at Legislative Hall, 411 Legislative Ave, Dover DE 19901. Meet in the basement cafeteria at noon. We’ll have resources you can use to speak with your legislator.
  • Come to the SB 40 Committee Hearing on Wednesday, May 13 to show your support for repeal. The hearing is scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m. and we’re asking supporters to meet us in the basement cafeteria at 10:00 a.m. so that we can fill the seats in the hall and the balcony. There will be time for everyone who would like to testify to do so. If you would like to speak at the hearing, please email rachel@derepeal.org.
  • We still need letters to the editor to your local newspaper to ensure your representative knows you want to repeal the death penalty.

Thank you for your continued support!

Sincerely,

Rachel Livingston
Communications Coordinator
Delaware Repeal

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DCODP Monthly Meeting – Mon, 4/27/15, 5:30-7:00

Join us at our Monthly DCODP Meeting as we plan to continue SB 40’s success in the House Judiciary Committee. Find out what you can do to help end Delaware’s ineffective, costly, and biased death penalty. Monday 4/27/15 from 5:30 to 7:00pm. LOCATION: Wilmington Friends Meeting House, 1st floor Social Room, 401 N. West St, Wilmington, DE 19801. Park in the parking lot on the 5th Street side or on the street. Ring the doorbell at the West Street entrance. Call 302-379-0488 for info. All are welcome! Invite a friend.

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SB 40 passes Senate 11-9!

So I’m sitting in my office wondering what’s happening with SB 40 to repeal Delaware’s death penalty. I can’t be in Dover because of work commitments. I have a break in my schedule about 3:30 so I quickly tune into the live audio on the general assembly website. Senator Dave McBride is testifying about why he changed from opposing to supporting repeal. Then the final vote. SB 40 passes 11-9!! I’m so excited, my hands are shaking as I’m trying to text to find out more details. Thank you to Senator Karen Peterson, who has shepherded this bill with dignity, common sense, and determination. Thank you to all those legislators who studied the issue carefully. Thank you to those members of Delaware Repeal Project and DCODP who have worked so hard and continue to support the cause. Thank you to all those citizens who contacted their legislators and continue to educate about this issue. We still have to pass the House, but this victory feels great!

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Action Alert: Senate Committee Hearing for SB 40 Wed 3/25

DE Repeal logoThe Campaign to Repeal Delaware’s death penalty is in full swing! Here’s how you can help:

On Wednesday, March 18, 2015, Sen. Karen Peterson (D), Sen. Gary Simpson (R), and Rep. Sean Lynn (D), re-introduced legislation to repeal the death penalty. We are grateful for their leadership on Senate Bill 40.

Join Us

  • Help us fill Legislative Hall!  The Senate Judiciary Committee will be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at 2pm.  We will need our supporters there early if we plan to fill the Senate Chamber.  Can you arrive between 11:30am – 12 Noon?  Click here to let us know. Getting there early means that you’ll have time to pay a visit to your Senator and Representative and let them know that you favor repeal.

Speak Up

  • Write your legislators and thank those that support repeal.  Ask them what they will do to ensure that SB 40 gets a vote.  If your Representative or Senator does not favor repeal, share the reasons why you think they should.  Click here to send them a quick email.
  • Host a letter-writing party, phone bank, and/or ask one of our field organizers to speak at your next meeting or church service.  Email Ellen@derepeal.org to schedule.

Speak Out

  • SB 40 is in the news! Visit the links below and leave positive comments on the articles.
  • Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter and help us share breaking news.

WDEL: “Delaware’s Death Penalty Put to Test Again” [Includes Video] http://wdel.com/story.php?id=66968#.VQozkyZE-Bs.wordpress

WMDT TV (MD): “Senator introduces bill to repeal death penalty:  http://www.wmdt.com/news/more-local-news/senator-introduces-bill-to-repeal-death-penalty/31874136

News Journal: “Sen. Peterson: Top Dem blocking death penalty repeal” http://www.delawareonline.com/story/firststatepolitics/2015/03/18/delaware-death-penalty-repeal-schwartzkopf-peterson/24986689/

WBOC TV (MD) [Includes Video]: “Death penalty repeal push back on in Delaware” http://www.wboc.com/story/28556379/death-penalty-repeal-push-back-on-in-del

WDDE: “Advocates of death penalty repeal start new push at Leg Hall” http://www.wdde.org/74519-advocates-death-penalty-repeal-start-push-leg-hall’

DE NewsZap: ”Death penalty repeal bill introduced again.” http://delaware.newszap.com/centraldelaware/138954-70/death-penalty-repeal-bill-introduced-again

Connect with us through our Facebook and Twitter feeds for upcoming events and specific updates on repeal in Delaware and across the nation.

DCODP is a founding member of the Delaware Repeal Project.