P R E S S   R E L E A S E
from
F L O R I D I A N S   FOR   A L T E R N A T I V E S
                                   TO THE DEATH PENALTY   (FADP)

21 May 2004

CONTACT:  Abe Bonowitz: 561-371-5204

**************

TUESDAY'S EXECUTION:  "SUICIDE BY GOVERNOR" ON HISTORIC ANNIVERSARY
and - see below for "25 Years of Blood on All Our Hands."


As we approach the 25th anniversary of the resumption of executions in
Florida, Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP) calls on
Governor Jeb Bush to stop the state-assisted suicide of John Blackwelder,
and to take steps towards abolition of the death penalty.  Members of FADP
will protest the execution at Florida State Prison and at locations across
the state at the time of the killing.  (See
http://www.fadp.org/localprotests.html for protest plans and locations.)

If the May 25th execution goes forward, it will be the 59th execution in
Florida since John Spenkelink was killed in Florida's electric chair on May
25, 1979 in revenge for his murder of Joseph Szymankiewicz.  John
Blackwelder is scheduled to have his suicide assisted by the people of
Florida in revenge for his murder of Raymond Wigley at 6pm this
Tuesday.  Tired of serving a life sentence, Blackwelder killed his cell
mate and insisted on a death sentence as his way of getting a
state-assisted suicide.  Further background on this case, including letters
written by Blackwelder in which he brags about his manipulation of the
system and warns of other prisoners following his example, is available at
http://www.fadp.org/killfordeath.html

"Instead of suicide by cop we have suicide by governor," said FADP Director
Abe Bonowitz.  "As was the case with Paul Hill, once again Governor Bush is
playing into the hands of a convicted murderer.  But this sets an even more
dangerous precedent, because the message being sent to the roughly 10,000
Florida prisoners serving life without parole is, 'If you don't like life
in prison, just kill another inmate or a prison worker, and we'll expedite
your case and give you an assisted suicide.'   With this execution, the
Governor is recklessly endangering prison workers and other prisoners."

*******

TUESDAY'S PROGRAM OUTSIDE FLORIDA STATE PRISON - "25 Years of Blood on All
Our Hands."

In a highly visual presentation featuring leaders of numerous Florida
groups opposed to the death penalty, protesters will remember the 58
prisoners executed over the past 25 years, as well as the victims in whose
names the prisoners were killed.  The program is scheduled to begin at 5pm,
leading up to the 6pm scheduled execution.

"59 executions in 25 years, at a cost of more than $1 billion," said
Bonowitz.  "The death penalty is just another wasteful and flawed
government program.  No amount of killing can bring back our loved ones, or
equal their value.  Given a choice, most Floridians would rather see the
millions of dollars we spend each year on the death penalty put into
services for victims families, and prevention and education programs.  We
must remember the victims, but not with more killing.  25 years in
enough.  We can and must do better."

********

FADP Director Abe Bonowitz is available for interviews at 800-973-6548

ON THE WEB:  www.FADP.org

****

SENT BY:

Abraham J. Bonowitz
Director

          Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP)
          800-973-6548    http://www.fadp.org    <fadp@fadp.org>
PMB 335,  2603 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Hwy, Gainesville, FL  32609

Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty works for restorative
justice in the form of effective alternatives to the death penalty.  It
does so by
    # supporting and coordinating the work of organizations and individuals
    # educating and energizing the general public and state legislators
    # supporting the many persons affected by capital crime and punishment
    # advocating specific legislative improvements