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Home Contact Us Innocence Links Press Releases FL Execution Information Facts Get Involved Local Groups Reports DP in the News U.S. Execution Information Yes Florida, There is an ALTERNATIVE to the Death Penalty Homicide in Progress
Floridians Protest at Killing Time
Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty calls 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 [email protected].
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 will hold a prayer vigil on Tuesday, July 1 at St. Joseph Church, 3100 26th Street W. For more information, contact Russ Banner ([email protected]; 941-748-6855).
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 [email protected].
Contact: Broward County Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty
Steve Jens-Rochow
954-463-2085
E-Mail: [email protected]
GAINESVILLE
Gainesville Citizens for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (GCADP) will host a vigil on July 1st. Please gather at the corner of 13th Street and West University Avenue starting at 5:00pm.
TO CARPOOL TO THE PRISON, gather at the UU Fellowship, 4225 NW 34th Street by 4:00 PM.
CONTACT: Bonnie Flassig 352-376-1077 [email protected]
Subscribe to the local announcement list by sending a message to [email protected] or check back at this site.
JACKSONVILLE
You are invited to join members of the Diocese of St. Augustine Justice and Peace Commission and Pax Christi of Northeast Florida in downtown Jacksonville at the Duval County Courthouse, 325 E. Bay St., 5:00 to 6:15 PM for this July 1st vigil. Bring a candle and posters/signs if you have them. Please spread the word and plan to attend. For more information contact Nancy O’Byrne. [email protected].
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; and for Mark Dean Schwab.
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. The bus will leave Our Lady of Grace (300 Malabar Rd. SE, Palm Bay 32907) at 12:15pm and will make one stop at Our Lady of Lourdes parish (201 University Blvd., Daytona 32118) at 2:00pm, then continue on to the prison by 5:30pm. The bus is free.
For more information, resources, or workshops for your parish, contact the Office of Advocacy and Justice at [email protected] or (407) 246-4819.
PALM BEACH GARDENS
Join Pax Christi Palm Beach and the Office of Respect Life – Diocese of Palm Beach on July 1st in a silent vigil to be held in front of the St. Ignatius Loyola Cathedral, 9500 N. Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. during the execution of Mark Dean Schwab. For more information, contact Beth Cioffoletti at [email protected].
PINELLAS COUNTY
Join Pax Christi Tampa Bay and other death penalty opponents at a death penalty vigil from 5:00-6:30 PM 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 the Checkers on the northwest corner of the intersection. Signs will be provided, or you can bring your own. FMI: [email protected]; 727-573-2935
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.
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.
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.
NOTES from FADP: The institution is on the north side of the road. The designated protest area is on the south side of the road, with the entry road being about 100 or 200 yards west of the main entry to FSP.
REGARDING BATHROOMS: Don’t expect any to be available. 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 exterminations, 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.
TALLAHASSEE
Tallahassee Citizens Against the Death Penalty (TCADP) and Pax Christi Tallahassee will hold a vigil at 6:00 p.m. on July 1st. Please gather at the Governor’s Mansion at North Adams Street by 5:45pm. The following day at 12 noon, at the Great Seal of the Capitol, there will be a Service of Rememberance. A letter signed by all the participants stating the injustice of the death penalty and the fact that as citizens of Florida, this execution is “NOT IN MY NAME” will be delivered to Gov. Crist.
FMI: go to TCADP.net or contact Shirley Poore ([email protected]) or Janet Kurisko ([email protected]).
TAMPA
Death Penalty Prayer Vigil at St. Paul Parish in Tampa
On Tuesday, July 1st, 2008 at 6:00 p.m., the State of Florida resumes the practice of capital punishment. For this reason, St. Paul Catholic Church will be hosting a diocesan vigil prayer service for those who have received the death sentence, their victims, and the families of both. The late Pope John Paul II stated in the document Evangelium Vitae that, “A sign of hope is the increasing recognition that the dignity of human life must never be taken away, even in the case of someone who has done great evil.”
What: Candlelight Prayer Vigil on the Evening of an Execution.
When: Tuesday, July 1st at 7:00 p.m.
Where: St. Paul Catholic Church, in Tampa
12708 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa, FL 33618
(813) 961-3023
(The church is located just south of Fletcher Ave. on the west side of Dale Mabry, in Carrollwood.)
http://home.catholicweb.com/LM-DOSP/files/DiocesanPrayerVigil.PDF
Yes Florida, There is an ALTERNATIVE to the Death Penalty Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP)
PMB 335, 2603 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Hwy,
Gainesville, FL 32609
www.FADP.org 800-973-6548 [email protected]