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


Martina Jackson,
Executive Director

PO Box 51920
Boston, MA 02205
Telephone:
617-523-3951

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Boston North Chapter

5th Annual
Frozen Good Friday Silent Vigil

March 21, 2008
Reading Town Common

    The thirty-five or so "vigiler's" who were on the Reading common on Good Friday all agrreed on two propositions:

        1. All are opposed to any effort which intends to bring the death penalty to Mass.
     
        2. All also will testivy that the town common in Reading WAS COLD AND WINDY  !!!

    Moments when the wind calmed were followed by a force that at times sent signs soaring across the green!

    The wind and cold did not affect the motorists with heat in their many cars and trucks.  Once again we saw actually thousands of cars go through the intersections at the corners of Reading common. 

    Many people saw the signs which were held by the vigilers who braved the clime.  Some came from minutes as they could; some were there for the whole two hours.

    Some people came from work or home; some came from Good Friday services in church.

    It was a good time to vigil.  Good Friday of 2009 should already go on your calendar.

    Between now and then, there is work to be done.

    The silent witness of Good Friday must become a continuing effort to abolish the death penalty, every day, every week, every month. 

    Ideas about what we can do next to continue the work will be welcome and shared here.

         Will you organize a house party for friends, in your town?
         Shall we invite a speaker to present news about the issue to a central gathering?
         Want to show a video to some friends?
         How can we begin NOW to prepare for the 2009 vigil?

    In a time when we can feel confident about an anti-death penalty vote in our legislature, it is important not to succumb to the temptation to relax in vigilance!

    So  let's get to work in old ways, new ways.  Share your thoughts.

    Horace Seldon    
    horace@ horaceseldon.com

 


Local Chapters of MCADP

There are several local chapters currently operating in Massachusetts, and we believe the time is right to get one (or more!) started in our neighborhood(s)!

MCADP has been successful at keeping the Death Penalty out of Massachusetts, but as recently as 1997 the issue came down to one tie-breaking vote! There is also a persistent effort by federal prosecutors to bring death penalty cases to trial in non-death penalty states. In the current political climate, things are not going to get easier — we need to be active!

For more information about activities near you contact the MCADP office.

 

Copyright © 2002 Massachusetts Citizens Against the Death Penalty, Inc.\

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