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)

4 April 2005

CONTACT:  Abe Bonowitz: 800-973-6548 // mobile 561-371-5204


EXECUTION PROTESTS PLANNED THROUGHOUT THE STATE

Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty activists throughout the 
state are planning to visibly protest the execution of Glen J. Ocha outside 
the prison where he will be killed and at locations throughout the 
state.  Ocha (pronounced "O'Shea"), who has legally changed his name to 
Raven Raven, is a suicidal and mentally ill man who waived his appeals and 
is scheduled for execution at 6pm on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 in revenge for 
his murder of Carol Skjerva.

Protests are scheduled at the prison as well as in Ft. Lauderdale, 
Gainesville, Jacksonville, Orlando, Pensacola, Tallahassee, the Tampa Bay 
area, and West Palm Beach.  A list of specific protest times and locations 
is at http://www.fadp.org/localprotests.html.

Glen Ocha is suicidal and demonstrably mentally ill.  Detailed background 
is available at http://www.fadp.org/takeact.html#background  Floridians for 
Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP) calls on Governor Jeb Bush to 
reverse himself and stop the state-assisted suicide of Glen Ocha.

"The execution of Glenn Ocha five days after the death of Terri Schiavo 
demonstrates that Gov. Jeb Bush invokes his Catholicism whenever it is 
convenient," said Bonnie Flassig, an organizer with Gainesville Citizens 
for Alternatives to the Death Penalty.  "In the case of Ms. Schiavo, Bush 
projected the image of the protector of the sanctity of life of the weakest 
of his citizens.  His record of executions demonstrates the exact opposite, 
that he takes advantage of the weakest.  Half of those executed under Bush 
were mentally ill people who 'volunteered' to die, making them easier and 
cheaper to kill.  Mr. Ocha has been asking to die for five years, and our 
governor is finally granting that wish.  Apparently, governor-assisted 
suicide does not violate Bush's belief in the sanctity of life."

If this killing goes forward, it will be the 60th execution in Florida 
since 1979 and the 17th under Governor Jeb Bush.  More information about 
Florida executions is available at 
http://www.fadp.org/Florida_executions.html.


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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