April 2009 Issue 48

Live from death row

One of the most powerful weapons we have at our disposal in the fight to end the death penalty is the "Live from Death Row" national speaking tour, hosted by the Campaign to End the Death Penalty (CEDP).

The tour features exonerated and current death row prisoners speaking live via speakerphone to audiences around the country. I've had the privilege of participating in many of these events over the years--while facing execution, and after I was exonerated.

I want to express my thanks to all of you who contribute to our monthly sustainers program.

As many of you know, we are on a campaign to try to grow our monthly sustainers donation base to 150 by this year's November convention. We are slowly but surely making our way forward, and now inching up to 110.

Yes, even in these difficult times we've been able to press forward. And I want to thank all of you for caring and for signing up--whether it is at the $5 a month level, or the $25, or $50. All contributions help keep the Campaign able to continue its efforts.

On April 6, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against Mumia, denying him a new trial based on his claim of racial discrimination in jury selection.

In his 1982 trial, 10 qualified Blacks were kept off Mumia's jury by challenges made by the prosecutors--clearly a violation of the Batson rule, which says that racial discrimination in jury selection is grounds for a new trial.