Put Darfur Back on the Congressional Agenda!

As you may know, Amnesty is organizing a week of lobbying (September 25-29) in support of a congressional “Dear Colleague” letter urging the Administration to expedite the deployment of UN peacekeepers in Darfur.

Amnesty activists across the country are organizing visits with their local congressional offices. You can search for an join a delegation in your district.

So far, Student Area Coordinators Leon Ratz and Anne Watanabe have started organizing visits to Congressmen Rothman's and Holt’s district offices! If you don’t see an existing delegation in your district, there is still time to volunteer to organize one!

Thanks,
Larry Ladutke
NJ Legislative Coordinator

Congratulations to Our Allies at NJADP!

As you may know, Amnesty International has worked with New Jerseyans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (NJADP). I therefore wanted to share the following news I received about our friends there!

Larry Ladutke
NJ Legislative Coordinator

Dear Friends,

I am pleased and proud to share with you good news that two of our own at New Jerseyans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty have
been chosen to receive national awards from the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (NCADP):

ABOLITIONIST OF THE YEAR AWARD

As is obvious from its title, this is the primary award that NCADP presents each year. I AM MOST HAPPY TO ADVISE THAT OUR OWN CELESTE FITZGERALD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NJADP, WILL BE THIS YEAR’S RECIPIENT. This, and the next award I will announce below, will be presented at the NCADP annual conference taking place this year in Fairfax, Va. on October 28.

You are all certainly aware that Celeste has been our guiding force in obtaining a Moratorium on use of the death penalty. This moratorium was actually the first in the nation achieved through
legislative means. The legislation, signed by Governor Codey in January, also created a Study Commission, which is now examining all aspects of potential use of this penalty in our state. Moreover, she is, and will continue to be that same guiding force in our ongoing efforts toward Abolition of that penalty in New Jersey.

It’s important to note that New Jersey has an excellent chance to be the first state in the union to legislatively abolish that penalty. All of us in the state know full well that we would not be in that position at present were it not for Celeste’s considerable skills and energy. I would merely mention here just a few of those skills, ones that I have had the pleasure of witnessing from up close.

NCADP OUTSTANDING LEGAL SERVICES AWARD

Who better to receive such an award than NJADP’s counsel and Legal Committee Chair and also Steering Committee member, Kevin Walsh? In my humble opinion, and that of our entire Executive
Committee, we could not have asked for a better addition than when Kevin volunteered six years ago to lend a hand, legally or in any way he was asked. He is deserving of any reward or award that may be given for service above and beyond the call.

In summary, Celeste and Kevin, I can only say that, when the death penalty is wiped from the books here in our great state, and when there are stronger movements in other jurisdictions spurred by the New Jersey results, we can point to both of you as both beacons and driving forces in these accomplishments.

Peace,
Lorry

Meet with Congress to Protect Civilians in Darfur!

Dear NJ Amnesty activists,

As you know, the recent diplomatic progress has not stopped the humanitarian catastrophe in Darfur. The African Union peacekeeping force has not had enough troops and other resources to protect civilians from both sides of the conflict. Amnesty International has therefore made it a priority to support efforts to get United Nations peacekeepers into the area as soon as possible.

You can help! Several Members of Congress from both parties are currently working on a “Dear Colleague” letter urging our government to do everything it can to accelerate the deployment of UN troops in Darfur. Amnesty would like you to organize meetings with your local congressional offices to ask your representatives to add their signatures to this important document. The meetings would take place between September 25th and 29th.

Please click HERE to apply to lead a delegation in your community. Given the scale of the atrocities so far, timely action could save tens of thousands of lives!

Please also let me know if there is anything that I can do to help you take part in this week of lobbying.

Thanks,
Larry Ladutke
NJ Legislative Coordinator, AIUSA