Thursday, December 1, 2011

Art Laffin Travels to Italy for Anti Death Penalty Conference

by Art Laffin

I have been invited by the Rome-based Community of Sant'Egidio (CSE) to take part in the "World Day of Cities for Life/Cities Against the Death Penalty Campaign" and speak in Italy about my experience as a murder victim family member. It has been a great privilege for me to be invited by CSE to speak in different countries during the last four years. In 2007 I spoke in Rome, in 2008 I went to Spain, in 2009 I travelled to Mozambique, and last year I visited  Germany. These trips were extraordinary faith-filled experiences. This year, from November 27 - December 5, I will speak in the northeast part of Italy. I also hope to visit Assisi. I return to the U.S. on December 6.

I am especially grateful to my wife, Colleen, and son Carlos, to community members Kathy Boylan, and Amber and Kevin Mason, and to all the extended Dorothy Day Catholic Worker community, for their support of me being able to make this trip at this time. And, as always, I am grateful to each of you who receive this for your heartfelt prayers and support.

I can't believe that twelve years have passed since my brother, Paul, was murdered. As I travel to Italy I carry Paul in my heart. I also ask you to continue to pray with me for healing for Dennis Soutar, who remains in a Connecticut prison hospital for killing Paul.

What's happening worldwide regarding the death penalty? During 2010, 23 countries executed 527 people and over 2,000 were sentenced to death in 67 countries. More than 17,833 people currently await execution in various countries, including over 3,200 in the U.S. Thankfully, 139 countries and 16 states in the U.S. no longer have the death penalty. The CSE sponsored "Cities for Life Campaign" is but one of many efforts to help bring about total worldwide abolition of state-sanctioned murder.

I have been invited to Italy to share my story as a murder victim family member who opposes the death penalty and speak about Gospel Nonviolence.  Seventeen speaking events have been arranged including the big "Cities for Life" event in the city of Padova on November 30. Worldwide, more than 1,400 cities in 87 countries will illuminate a monument symbol against the death penalty. (See below info about the "Cities For Life Campaign.")

As we approach Thanksgiving and Advent, let us give thanks to God for the miracle of life, for the gift of one another, and for the countless blessings we have been given. Let us pray for each other, that the spirit of love and nonviolence can occupy our hearts, and the hearts of people everywhere as we strive to create the Beloved Community and make God's reign of justice and peace a reality in our world. Let us seek to make the Word flesh in all we do as we strive to be God's peace and justice makers.

With love and gratitude,
Art

Ed Note:
 Art is writing a series of letters describing his experiences it Italy.  They may be read here.


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Background Information:
Cities for Life/Cities Against the Death Penalty

On November 30, 2010, more than 60 capitals and about 1300 cities in 87 countries of the world gave life to the eighth World Day of Cities for Life, with mobilizations, rallies, sit-ins, shows, public gatherings in schools and universities, and official commitment by municipalities and citizens councils. Each city that joins in this initiative makes available, as a “live logo,” its main monument which comes “alive” because of different lighting, and as the subject of film shows which underline the engagement and the dialogue with the citizens for a world without capital punishment.

The International Day,, represents the greatest worldwide contemporary mobilization to point to a higher and more civil form of justice, capable of definitely renouncing capital punishment. It is an important opportunity to establish a dialogue with the civil societies and to promote the participation of the administrators in a process of abolition of the death penalty, capable of becoming a constant practice and an identifying character of the city that joins and of its citizens. In this way, opportunities of participation are also opened to vast layers of the civil society in areas where the death penalty is practiced, strengthening the initiative of activists and local organizations within an international network.

The invitation to the various cities to join the Cities for Life initiative and the responsibility for the initiatives is open to the collaboration of all the abolitionist subjects in the world. In addition to the Community of Sant’Egidio, the initiatives can be enlivened by the humanitarian organizations and by the most committed activists city by city. It is an opportunity to awaken all the people in general and more specialized groups (students, teachers, jurists, opinion leaders, administrators, witnesses and the press).

The organization of the event for the ninth time, November 30, 2010, is under way. The general, global title has been consolidated over time in the message “No Justice Without Life”. The initiatives are concentrated on November 29-30 with the objective of fostering a permanent and organic participation of all the administrations of the city. The cities which participate in “Cities for Life” have at their disposal in the website a space where they can put on-line their initiatives for the campaign (lighting of monuments, public events, lectures, theater shows, etc.) and link their pages with those on other sites. In order to have one’s own city invited to participate in Cities Against the Death Penalty, it is possible to contact the coordination secretary (abolition@santegidio.org; info@citiesforlife.net) and have access to the already existing materials for mobilization and communication (films, declarations and invitations to international witnesses) and be informed about the various initiatives in the world in order to be able to suggest a list of initiatives and actions to those who want to get involved and to those in charge of cities.

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NO to the death penalty
Community of Sant’Egidio
p.zza Sant'Egidio, 3/A, 00153, Rome

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