PRESS RELEASE FROM
FLORIDIANS FOR ALTERNATIVES TO THE DEATH PENALTY (FADP.org)
15 AUGUST 2003
CONTACT: Abe Bonowitz: 800-973-6548
abe@fadp.org
FADP CALLS ON GOVERNOR BUSH TO HEED THE WARNINGS
In the wake of bullets and death threats sent to prison
officials and Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist,
Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP)
again calls on Governor Bush to commute Paul Hill's death
sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
FADP wrote to Governor Bush last week
(see www.fadp.org/pressrel.html)
to urge him not to assist Paul Hill in his quest for martyrdom by
allowing the execution to proceed. When he signed the death warrant
in July, Governor Bush dismissed the suggestion that Hill's supporters
might see him as a martyr. "He's a murderer and he was sentenced to
death and I have the duty to carry out that sentence," Bush said,
according to media reports. FADP asks Governor Bush to reconsider
his assertion in light of Hill's own statements, and the way Hill's
supporters have reacted. (See details at www.fadp.org/takeact.html#hill)
"Governor Bush says he has a duty to carry out the law," said FADP
director Abe Bonowitz, "but the law also allows him the option to
commute the sentence.
It is important that Governor Bush recognize that Hill was motivated to
commit his murders by following the example of fellow pro-lifer Michael
Griffin, who killed Dr. David Gunn in Pensacola just a few months before
Hill committed his crimes. Considering the fact that Hill has encouraged
others to follow in his example, together with the death threats recently
sent to various officials in Florida, Governor Bush must put the safety of
Floridians above politics and commute Paul Hill's sentence to life without
the possibility of parole. This option allows the punishment of Mr. Hill
and the ensures the safety of citizens of Florida. Governor Bush is
duty-bound to protect all Floridians; FADP again calls on him to act
in the interests of that charge. We ask for leadership instead of
politics as usual. It takes a leader to stop the cycle of violence."
REMINDER:
FADP will continue place additional information on its web site
at www.FADP.org,
and will conduct a "Tele-Press Conference" on the matter at 10:30am on
August 25, 2003. RSVP to fadp@fadp.org to receive the call-in number
and passcode to join the tele-press conference.
SENT BY:
Abraham J. Bonowitz
Director
Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP)
800-973-6548
fadp@fadp.org
www.fadp.org
PMB 335, 2603 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Hwy Highway #1,
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
