Groups fight death penalty

It is only coincidence that the events of the upcoming Death Penalty Action Week fall so close in time to the execution of Karla Faye Tucker.

The six decidedly anti-capital punishment programs to be held tomorrow through Friday were planned months in advance, said Kevin Fox, a member of Penn State Amnesty International, one of the week's sponsors.

Tucker was an admitted murderer. However, she found religion while on death row and her execution renewed public misgivings about the use of the death penalty. So the fact that her execution coincides so closely with the upcoming events is timely, if unfortunate, said Fox (senior-psychology and sociology).

"I'm hoping that people who are thinking about how the death penalty is used will come out to our programs and see that it's not used correctly in any case," he said.

Along with Penn State Amnesty International, the Penn State chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union and Pax Christi at Penn State are also sponsoring the week. Together, members of the three groups comprise the Death Penalty Abolition Coalition, co-founded by Fox.

"We're working together because we all have a similar mandate," Fox said.

Events during the week will include an address from the executive director of the Pennsylvania ACLU and guest speakers from Murder Victims Families for Reconciliation.

Everyone involved in Murder Victims Families for Reconciliation has lost a loved one to homicide, said George White, a member of the organization's national board. However, White, who will speak during the week, said the group collectively opposes capital punishment.

"What began with this horrible act of violence, we believe, should not be moralized by an act of vengeance," he said. "Especially when there are viable alternatives."

Jen Petullo (senior-geography), co-coordinator of Pax Christi, said the real point of the week is to prompt discussion about the death penalty.

"I really want people who have not thought about the death penalty before to start thinking about it, and thinking intelligently about it," Petullo said.