Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty and our allies call for simultaneous execution vigils/protests across the state at the time of executions. Each vigil group in Florida is independent and establishes its activities according to the needs, strategies and resources of its members. Details are often adjusted for each execution. For the most recent prisoner-killings, the following actions were planned. This page will be updated when another state homicide is scheduled. In the event that the next killing has very little lead time, contact the local organizers directly.
If you do not see your area listed and would like to stage a local visibility action, please contact FADP for advice and materials at 727-215-9646 or fadp@fadp.org.
PAX CHRISTI FLORIDA local groups are hosting and participating in execution vigils across the state. For more info, please visit their web site, http://paxchristiflorida.org
BRADENTON
Pax Christi-Manasota Chapter will hold a Deathwatch Prayer Vigil Service on both days of execution (May 13 and May 27). We will gather at St. Joseph Parish on the south side of the church building for a half-hour of silent protest with signs along 26th Street West, at 5:30 PM. Our prayer service will be at 6:00 PM in the same location. Contact Russ, 941-748-6855; rjbanner@aol.com
FT. LAUDERDALE
Broward FADP will have vigils if the executions go forward as scheduled. Meet from 5:00pm to 6:00pm in front of the Federal Court House or Federal Building on east Broward Blvd. at NE 3 Ave. in downtown Ft. Lauderdale. Parking is available on SE 1st St., just east of SE 3rd Ave. Bring signs or signs will be provided. For local updates and announcements, subscribe to the local announcement list by sending a message to browardfadp-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
Contact: Broward County Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty
Steve Jens-Rochow
954-463-2085
E-Mail: sjensrochow@comcast.net
GAINESVILLE
TO CARPOOL TO THE PRISON, gather at the UU Fellowship, 4225 NW 34th Street by 4:00 PM.
CONTACT: Amy Jo Smith at 352-332-1350 or smithaj@bellsouth.net
Subscribe to the local announcement list by sending a message to gcadpnews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
Those unable to come to Starke are invited to make their own signs and be visible on the corner of University Ave. and 13th St. in Gainesville. The execution is scheduled for 6:00 PM.
JACKSONVILLE
Pax Christi Northeast Florida will hold an execution vigil on Wednesday, May 13th and Wednesday May 27th, from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. in front of the Duval County Courthouse at the corner of Newnan and Bay Streets in Jacksonville, FL. You may bring a sign of your own or use the ones we have. Come walk and pray for the victim, the victim’s family, as well as the executed and his family. We come together to say that these men are not executed in our name and that we want an end to all state-sanctioned executions in our state and in our country. Contact: Nancy O’Byrne; obyrnen@bellsouth.net
ORLANDO CATHOLIC DIOCESE
Now is the time to unite in prayer across the state for the family and friends of the victims, that they will continue to receive healing through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; for all the public officials involved in this scheduled execution; for Governor Crist, that he will discern God’s will and apply the teachings of our Catholic faith on the death penalty; for John Marek and for the family of Adella Simmons.
Please pray with your family and consider having adoration, prayer services, or vigils in your parishes or join us on a pilgrimage to the Florida State Prison near Stark, Florida, for a prayer vigil. Please join us on the bus by meeting at 2:30pm at Destination Daytona (I-95 & US Hwy 1). The bus will then arrive at the prison by 5:30pm. The bus is free. Donations are appreciated to help with the cost of the motorcoach. Bring umbrellas if you have them.
To join us on the motorcoach, seat reservations must be made by calling Our Lady of Lourdes (386) 255-0433 or Our Lady of Grace (321) 725-3066.
For more information, resources, or workshops for your parish, contact the Office of Advocacy and Justice at Respectlife@orlandodiocese.org or (407) 246-4819.
PALM BEACH GARDENS
A decision to kill caused this terrible tragedy…
more killing cannot repair the damage done.
The State of Florida is scheduled to kill two men in May. The execution of John Marek is planned for 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 for the murder of Adella Simmons. Gov. Crist has also signed a Death Warrant for David Johnston to be executed at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 for the murder of Mary Hammond.
Join Pax Christi Palm Beach in an execution vigil in front of the St. Ignatius Loyola Cathedral (9500 N. Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens) on Wednesday, May 13th from 5:45 - 6:15 p.m. during the execution of John Marek currently scheduled for 6:00 p.m. EST. and on Wednesday, May 27th from 5:45 - 6:15 p.m. during the execution of David Johnston currently scheduled for 6:00 p.m. EST.
As members of Pax Christi Florida witness against the executions of John Marek and David Johnston and all state-sponsored killings, we are ever mindful of the unimaginable pain and suffering which the families of Adella Simmons and Mary Hammond continue to endure. Please keep the family and friends of these women in your thoughts and prayers.
For more information, contact Beth Cioffoletti, 561-267-7288 Email: shoofoolatte@gmail.com; PaxChristi Palm Beach Website: http://paxchristipalmbeach.wordpress.com
PENSACOLA
Time: 4:45 - 5:45 PM
Place: Martin Luther King Plaza, Palafox Street, between Gregory and Chase Streets in Downtown Pensacola
What to Bring: nothing
Type of Vigil:
Who is invited: everyone
Who is sponsoring (hosting): ACLU Panhandle Chapter
Contact info (name, phone, email address) Susan Watson 850.429.9128 swatson@aclufl.org
PINELLAS COUNTY
Demonstration During the Executions: Join Pax Christi Tampa Bay, Peace First, Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty and other death penalty opponents at an anti-death penalty vigil from 5:00-6:30 PM on Wednesday, May 13 at the intersection of Ulmerton Road and 49th Street N. in mid-Pinellas County. This is the site of past vigils. Park in the lot next to Checkers on the northwest corner of the intersection. Signs will be provided, or you can bring your own. We will gather again at the same time and place on Wednesday, May 27. FMI: arichter58@msn.com or (727) 573-2935.
Take Action Now: Contact Gov. Crist and Florida’s Attorney General to express your strong opposition to Florida’s executions:
Office of Governor Charlie Crist
State of Florida
The Capitol
400 S. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
Click here to Email the Governor (Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com)
Executive Office of the Governor Switchboard: (850) 488-7146; FAX: (850) 487-0801
Office of Attorney General Bill McCollum
State of Florida
The Capitol PL-01
Tallahassee, FL 32399-105
E-mail: ag.mccollum@myfloridalegal.com
Switchboard: (850) 414-3300
For a downloadable death penalty fact sheet with talking points: http://www.fadp.org/FL_factsheet.pdf; click this link for FADP suggestions to take action.
ST. PETERSBURG
The Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle will be hosting a diocesan vigil prayer service for those who have received the death sentence, their victims, and the families of both.
What: Prayer Vigil on the Evening of an Execution.
When: Wednesday, May 13th & Wednesday, May 27th at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle
5815 5th Avenue North
St. Petersburg, FL 33710
(Prayer Service will be held in the Chapel.)
Visit our Life Ministry Website at: http://home.catholicweb.com/LM-DOSP
STARKE (Florida State Prison)
Gather ACROSS from Florida State Prison starting by 5:00pm. Please bring signs if you have them.
Directions to the Protest at Florida State Prison (directions from the Dept. of Corrections official website.)
From East: SR-16, 11 miles west of Starke on left. Vigil on East side of SR-16.
From North: (Macclenny) SR-121 south approximately 17 miles to SR-16 (before town of Raiford). Turn left onto SR-16. Go approximately 3 miles, cross New River Bridge. The Institution is on the right.
From South: US-301 north approximately 35 miles north of Gainesville to Starke. Turn left onto SR-16 (Raiford Road) (West), go approximately 11 miles. The Institution is on the left. Vigil is on right.
From West (Lake City): SR-100 approximately 23 miles to SR-121 (Lake Butler), turn left, go approximately 6 miles, just outside town of Raiford turn right (east) onto SR-16. Go approximately 3 miles, cross New River Bridge. The Institution is on the right (West). Vigil is across SR-16 on East side.
NOTES from FADP: The institution is on the West side of the road. The designated protest area is on the East side of the road, with the entry road being opposite of the main entry to FSP.
REGARDING BATHROOMS: Bathroom at SE corner of red brick bldg. may be open. Sometimes there is a port-a-potty in the designated media area (about 150 yards west of the protest area), but it is not always there and they may decide not to allow protesters access to the media area. Just to the west of the prison (toward Starke) is a Circle K store with a bathroom available to customers. Stop there, if not in Raiford or Starke as you pass through one of those towns.
REGARDING SIGNS: We are unaware of any restrictions on the nature of signs. FADP recommends clear and concise messages, printed boldly, with high contrast between the text and the background. FADP will have some signs available.
ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS: Wear closed shoes and socks to protect yourself from the occasional presence of fire ants.
ALSO: Especially with high profile state killings, airport rules apply - be aware of what you bring and carry, and of your demeanor, and stay within the designated protest area or between that area and the adjacent parking area. You may wish to bring umbrellas (for sun or rain) and bottled water. FADP will help.
TALLAHASSEE
Pax Christi Tallahassee, Tallahassee Citizens Against the Death Penalty and the Florida Catholic Conference and others will gather to vigil at the time of both scheduled executions (May 13 and May 27) in front of the Governor’s mansion. The day after each execution, a ceremony of remembrance is scheduled to take place at the State of Florida’s Capitol Great Seal. For more information, contact Shirley Poore (bpoore@earthlink.net). |
