Massachusetts Citizens Against the Death Penalty |
||||
|
Founded
in 1928, MCADP is the oldest active anti-death penalty organization
in the United States.
|
||||
|
Detail of Bartolomeo Vanzetti and Nicola Sacco from the cartoon of a mural by Ben Shahn © Estate of Ben Shahn /Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY |
Fall 2002 NewletterLocal MCADP Chapters—A Breath of Life
Martina
Jackson, Having
organized three anti-death penalty efforts in the legislature, I can
speak from experience—victorious experience—on the incalculable
difference chapters make in persuading legislators to vote our way.
Equally crucial is the effectiveness of chapters in electing abolition
candidates. Sol Finestone and his band of warriors from Western Massachusetts,
Ron Madnick from the Worcester area, Reverend Susan Lee and our southern
troops and Horace Seldon the northern contingent can all bear witness
to the success of a determined, organized chapter. In the
first instance, nothing convinces politicians to vote a particular way,
as does a deluge of phone calls, letters, and visits. In 1999 Susan
Lees’s forces “persuaded” a newly elected state representative
to change his stated position from pro-death penalty to anti-. The Worcester
County Chapter has helped to turn around several of their legislators,
who now vote with us. In the
grassroots effort to elect anti-death penalty candidates, chapters have
made endless rounds of persuasion and tracking telephone calls; stood
in public paces with signs; staffed Election Day operations…in
some cases producing stunning results. Ask Sol and the Springfield chapter
what they did for Stephen Buoniconti, a newcomer who toppled a longtime
house fixture. Or have Ron Madnick explain how it is that the Worcester
County delegation, that once voted almost entirely in the affirmative
on the death penalty, now votes “no” in the House and the
Senate. Horace Seldon, who regards grassroots organizing as the work
of angels, could write the primer on starting with a determined core
and building a political power base. Although
we have a thirty-eight vote lead in the current House and a two vote
lead in the Senate, redistricting looms large in our immediate future.
Now, more than ever, we need our chapters to offer concrete help to
those who are with us and to recruit anti-death penalty candidates in
districts that are open. As we learned in 1997, the abolition movement
can never take last year’s landslide for granted. Regrettably,
we are always just one child murder away from a gargantuan effort to
reinstated capital punishment. What are
the ingredients for successful chapter building. Above all, chapters
MUST be focused on preventing the death penalty in Massachusetts. Obvious,
you think. Occasionally, however, chapters take on other causes, which
they determine to be related to the abolition movement. In fact, broadening
the agenda diffuses our productivity. Anti-death penalty supporters
may embrace a variety of other, possibly divisive views, but they agree
on this one precept: The death penalty is wrong for Massachusetts, and
therefore, we risk weakening our coalition when we accrue other causes. When Episcopal
Bishop Barbara Harris led more than one hundred religious leaders from
many faiths up Park street to stand in opposition to Governor Cellucci
and his death penalty bill, that one issue united them. We reach across
political and religious spectra strengthening our credibility thereby. Diversity
is another irreplaceable ingredient in successful chapter building.
Reverend Susan Lee presides over a group which includes the faith community,
members of the alliance for the mentally Ill, union representatives,
housing advocates and the like. Apart from the critical amass that can
be called to participate in abolition activities, politicians shrink
form antagonizing so broad a base. Involvement
of local legislators is helpful in nurturing and advancing chapters.
Abolition legislators often have the backing of zealous abolition supporters
who hare potential chapter members. Moreover, abolition legislators
often have the backing of zealous abolition supporters who are potential
chapter members. And, abolition legislators are willing speakers at
chapter building meetings. Finally, legislators will alert chapters
to upcoming death penalty bills and hearings. For lack
of a better word “tasks” keep chapters thriving and growing.
In between hearing and election time, there are ongoing activities for
chapters. MCADP chapters should always be represented at large political
programs and rallies. For example, chapters should set up display tables
at local fairs or partisan gatherings. Chapters
should have an information component, such as speakers bureaus, which
explain the work of the organization and solicits membership. Chapters
may also choose to publish a newsletter to inform members of relevant
upcoming legislative initiatives. In addition, chapters may choose to
write letters to the editors of local papers, or call local radio shows
to press our point of view. Among the invaluable chapter activities
are those dealing directly with death penalty cases. In Springfield,
our local chapter undertook regular demonstrations at the federal trial
of Veterans hospital nurse, Kristen Gilbert. Recognizing the importance
of political pressure, the chapter mounted a comprehensive campaign
of anti-death penalty letters and calls. As we all know, Kristen Gilbert’s
life was spared. Apart from their visible, tangible accomplishment, chapters have another more important function: in tense times, chapters allow us to remind ourselves that there are others who stand together with us against a considerable evil. In rosy times, chapters offer companions who share our pride and pleasure at having preserved the Commonwealth in the ranks of the fabulous thirteen (including Illinois) who affirm the value of each human life. |
|||
|
Copyright © 2002
Massachusetts Citizens Against the Death Penalty, Inc.\ |
||||
