FOR News May 2001

State Continues Business of Killing
Missouri is embarking on a pace to make 2001 the bloodiest year yet in our state’s history. January was the only month so far when state officials hadn’t scheduled a state killing. Three men were lethally poisoned at the Potosi prison so far this year; Attorney General Jay Nixon has requested the Missouri Supreme Court set execution dates for five other men. Consequently, it’s quite likely the state will kill monthly for some time to come, unless we the people awaken our state’s slumbering conscience. The Mid-Missouri Fellowship of Reconciliation condemns all violence, whether
a killing’s committed by a deranged individual or a deliberative state. We mourn the violent death of any human being and extend condolences to all grieving the loss of a loved one to murder. We note with sadness, the executions of the following men this year and have included, where people can send notes of condolence:
* Stanley Lingar: Executed February 7. Letters can be routed to Lingar’s family via his attorney, Kent Gipson, 5319 Rockhill Rd., KC MO 64110;
* Tomas Ervin: Executed March 28 (sorry at this time we have no address to send notes);
* Mose Young: Executed April 25. Send letters c/o Geraldine Wynne (his cousin), 8126 Marilyn Ct., St. Louis MO 63134.

Bud Welch, whose daughter Julie, died in the bombing, notes that a majority of family members who lost a loved one killed in the bombing, now realize the execution of McVeigh will not help with their healing. Welch spoke in Missouri several weeks ago during the ten-day Journey of Hope From Violence to Healing, sponsored by Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty. McVeigh’s killing, Welch says, would just be an "event. Healing, on the other hand, is a process, often life-long, which won’t be furthered with the killing of yet another human being." Welch had been a life-time proponent of the death penalty, but switched his position after his daughter’s violent death. Several months after the bombing though, Welch recalled a conversation he had with daughter. As they drove, news of another Texas execution came on the radio. According to Bud, Julie had said, state killing "‘was only teaching children to hate.’" Soon after realizing he himself had become consumed by hatred, he began speaking out against the planned federal killing. "Revenge is what drove Timothy McVeigh to kill in response to the killings of the Branch Davidians at Waco. Revenge is what’s driving the United States to kill McVeigh." He laments, "What more violence will be spawned by the killing of this man" who appears to be getting his wish: to become a political martyr for the extreme right-wing?

Welch is among the inspiring human beings during our violent, vengeful times who are charting for our species a path of compassion, upon which we are challenged to tread and evolve. Part of that trek for him came when he saw broadcast news reports of Bill McVeigh, Tim’s father and recognized the profound pain in his face, much akin to his own suffering. Welch searched him out and met with Bill and his daughter, sharing their common sense of loss (in Bill’s case, a son he no longer can publicly, proudly acknowledge—a grown child nearing execution). Let us all reach out to those in our midst mourning the loss of their loved one.

The FOR will also hold a vigil the day before the federal execution of Timothy McVeigh, from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Boone County Courthouse with a prayer vigil proceeding at 6:30 at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 204 E. Ash—to recall those killed in the bombing, their grieving families, to solemnly protest McVeigh’s execution and to remember his family. Call 449-4585 for details.

We urge the State of Missouri to abolish the death penalty! Over 700 persons have been legally murdered in this country since 1978. Missouri has killed 49 of them and ranks 4th in the nation. Over 3,700 men and women currently await execution on America’s death rows, including over 75 facing death in Missouri.

Death row prisoners are poor. 54% are members of racial minorities. Race,
social status, location of the crime, and "chance" are the deciding factors in who is sentenced to death. The people the state chooses to execute do not have power, prestige or wealth.

It is impossible to avoid placing innocent people on death row. Over 400 people were wrongfully convicted of capital crimes in the US between 1900 and 1999. At least 23 of these prisoners were executed. Capital punishment does not deter murder. It perpetuates violence. It sanctions revenge. It
teaches children that some killings are OK. It makes all citizens complicit in state-sanctioned murder.

Human life is sacred. We believe the killing of one human being by another is morally wrong. We insist that no government has the moral right to execute anyone for any reason.

We, the following, call on the State of Missouri to stop executing men and women and to abolish the death penalty. Each of us makes this Declaration of Life: "As long as state executions continue, I request that, should I die as a result of a violent crime, the person or persons found guilty of
killing me should not be sentenced to death. He, she, or they must face the appropriate
consequences of their criminal action, but my death does not justify their death."

Signature      Print Name        Address (not published)

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Print-out, sign and send the coupon above to Mid-Missouri FOR, P.O. Box 268, Columbia MO 65205 by June 18. We suggest, if affordable, a $5 donation per person’s name appearing on the ad. The amount of money gathered will determine the size of the ad. Groups may also donate and will be noted on the ad as opponents of the death penalty. (May be mailed with other coupon in newsletter)

Mid-Missouri FOR will be joining Peaceworks and other supporters of nonviolence at the air show with signs, banners, a display and leaflets from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days. To car-pool from Columbia meet at 9:15 a.m., either or both days at the Peace Nook, 804 C Broadway. (You may want to leave your car in the 8th St. parking garage near Walnut to avoid getting a ticket) Folks will also leaflet before the parade, from 9:00 to 10:00 on Monday morning. Meet at the Nook at 9:00. The focus will be opposition to Star Wars and U.S. intervention in Colombia. For more info call Peaceworks at 875-0539.

We encourage everyone concerned with appropriately recalling all people killed and harmed in war, to attend the Veterans for Peace Memorial Day gathering from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at the MLK Memorial near the trailhead of the MKT trail, just off Stadium Blvd. The best memorial for war casualties is to strive to prevent more war.

A Nonviolence Training for Trainers is scheduled at the University June 22 -June 24. Registration fees are accessed on a sliding scale. A nonviolent direct action will be planned that evening with the protest planned at Monsanto the following day at noon. Under the direction of General Montoya, an SOA graduate with paramilitary ties, a Monsanto-produced herbicide is being used in the U.S.-funded "War on Drugs". In reality this is the same old counter-insurgency war that SOA graduates have waged across Latin America with devastating impacts upon the poorest and most vulnerable. The toxic spraying happens in conjunction with the military push into Southern Colombia that has resulted in countless human rights violations.

To register contact Jeff Winder at 202-234-3440 or jwinder@soaw.org