John Spirko received a record seventh reprieve for his September 18th execution from Governor Strickland, in order for the State of Ohio to conduct further DNA testing. A new execution date was set for January 24th, 2008.
Romell Broom had been scheduled for an October 18th execution date; however he receive a stay of execution from U.S. District Judge Frost due to his inclusion in the lethal injection lawsuit that is currently on appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Kevin Yarbrough (Shelby County) was moved off of death row and given a life without the possibility of parole for 30 years on April 6.
Darryl Gumm (Hamilton County) won relief in the state courts due to mental retardation.
Kenny Richey (Putnam County) has been moved off of death row and back to Putnam County for a new trial.
Vernon Brown’s (Cuyahoga County) death sentence was overturned by the Ohio Supreme Court on Wednesday, October 3, 2007... the court ordered a new trial.
Update: Lethal Injection Lawsuits
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case concerning the lethal injection protocol in Kentucky. The Kentucky Supreme Court originally ruled against inmates, denying their claim that current lethal injection procedure can cause excruciating and unnecessary pain and is a violation of their constitutional right not to be subjected to cruel and unusual punishment. Ohio is still waiting to see if the U.S. Supreme Court will hear its case.
ABA Calls for Temporary Halt to Executions
On Monday, September 24th, 2007 the American Bar Association released the findings of a 30 month in-depth study of Ohio's death penalty. The ABA panel was comprised of legal experts and elected officials from Ohio. The report called for a temporary halt to executions in light of the serious problems within Ohio's death penalty system. Of the 92 recommendations from the ABA designed to ensure fairness of the death penalty, Ohio failed to meet 93% of the standards.
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Peace Witness |
Stop The War Now— Bring All Our Troops Home
Be part of the antiwar tidal wave! The entire Midwest Antiwar movement is descending on Chicago. Be part of the nationwide antiwar mobilization happening in 11 cities on Saturday, October 27th. Complete details are available at www.oct27.org, IJPC can help facilitate carpools. Call Sue at 513-579-8547 to let her know if you have extra space in your car or if you need a ride.
“Voters for Peace” pledges
The campaign to collect “Voters for Peace” pledges kicked off this September when volunteers hit the street of the neighborhood all around Cincinnati to talk to people about the war and occupation in Iraq. They went door to door, and for those who were interested, talked about ways to make local opposition visible and vocal. By signing a “Voters for Peace” pledge, people are letting our legislators know that they will only be voting for federal candidates that support a speedy and responsible end to the war in Iraq.
If you’re interested in helping us out, whether it’s joining a group of neighbors, having people sign pledges at a meeting or talking to local business, contact Sue at IJPC at 579-8547 or sjcaseyleininger@gmail.com
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Day of Dialogue: Influence of Religion on Politics |
On September 9th, approximately 250 people from around the Greater Cincinnati area came to the Church of the Nazarene in West Chester to participate in IJPC’s 4th Day of Dialogue which focused on the interplay of religion, government and public policy. The event combined an opening 90-minute expert panel discussion with a follow-up 75-minute small group breakout session, all designed to provide a pressure-free, respectful place for people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives to come together to listen, learn and dialogue with one another.
Dialogues ‘08— Focus: Impact of Corporate America on our lives. The core dialogue planning team is interested in exploring the impact of Corporate America on our lives. Specific topics may be the Impact of Corporate America on healthcare, economic development, education, or other areas still being considered. Interested in helping to plan? Please join us! Call Kristen at 513-5798547!
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Before You Enlist / Truth in Recruiting |
School Districts Limit Militarism!
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 opened the door for military recruiters to approach our high school students without safeguards. It contains a little known provision that makes federal funding contingent on giving military recruiters the same access to students as college recruiters. Though the legislation stipulates a way for individual students and parents to “opt-out”, it also threatens federal funding if the school refuses to turn over student contact information upon demand. Within the confines of the law, committed people are finding ways protect our kids. In city after city militarism in our high schools is being challenged by people like you!
Draft Resolution Limiting Access of Military Students to Cincinnati Students
1. All recruiters shall be required to register with the school office and wear a visitor’s pass.
2. All recruiters shall be required to sign a Code of Conduct
3. A procedure shall be established for notifying school principals of any intimidation, harassment, or misrepresentations by recruiters
4. Except for career and college fairs, recruiters shall be accessed by interested juniors and senior only in the Career Center or other designated areas.
5. The schedule for each recruiting visit shall be posted in career centers and on their web pages.
6. Employees of the Cincinnati Public School system shall not engage in recruiting activities 7. Cincinnati Public Schools shall allow materials encouraging students to make informed decisions on military enlistment and suggesting alternative means for obtaining employment or advanced education.
8. The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test scores shall be regarded as confidential educational records
9. Students' privacy shall be protected by implementing "Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Test (ASVAB) Option 8" (keeping the test results from recruiters).
10. Cincinnati Public Schools shall mail a letter explaining the right to withhold students’ contact information from military recruiters
11. Cincinnati Public Schools also shall educate students and parents/guardians on these policies.
12. Cincinnati Public Schools shall, if requested, allow equal student access by advocates of alternatives to military service.
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