Students Take Action to Abolish the Death Penalty
by Alison Booth
Wednesday, February 28 fell smack in the middle of Concord High School's mid-winter vacation. But at 2:30 p.m., a crowd of students emerged from the school and gathered in the driveway. Carrying signs saying "Don't Veto Forgiveness," "Execute Justice Not People," and "Vote Yes on HB 171," they lined up to march downtown. It had already been a long day, as most of the students had spent the whole morning at the high school, attending a conference on death penalty abolition. There was still a full afternoon of action ahead, and they were just getting warm.
These activists were a part of the Student Day of Action Against the Death Penalty-a day-long event bringing youth together for learning, skills-building, and action to demand the passage of HB 171-FN, an act abolishing the death penalty in New Hampshire. The Day of Action was organized by New Hampshire Students Against the Death Penalty, and sponsored by AFSC with NH Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, Amnesty International, and NH Social Justice Monthly. Forty students from a dozen high schools, home schools, and colleges participated in workshops, a march, lobbying, and a rally for abolition throughout the course of the day.
The event began with a panel on "Why I Oppose the Death Penalty", featuring Renny Cushing of Murder Victim's Families for Reconciliation and lawyer Andru Volinsky. Renny explained MVFR's position that another murder never helped victim's families heal. Andy spoke from his experience defending capital cases in Tennessee, from which he concluded that there is no fair and just way to implement capital punishment. Then students chose between workshops on "The Case Against the Death Penalty," "Holding Productive Discussions on the Death Penalty," and "The U.S. Criminal Justice System."
During lunch, students sprawled in school hallways to make signs for the afternoon march. Next everyone gathered in the auditorium to prepare for office visits in a lobbying workshop. Sheila Evans of NH Women's Lobby discussed the basics of lobbying, while Rep. Jim Splaine, prime sponsor of HB 171, explained the specifics of the bill. With Sheila, Jim, and Arnie Alpert impersonating the Criminal Justice Committee, the students practiced persuading and prodding their representatives. Equipped with arguments, they were ready to take on the State House, and prepared to march.
Signs poised, the procession down Pleasant St. began. As Luke Keller of Concord chanted, "Shaheen says 'Veto'!" the crowd replied, "We say 'Hell, no!'" As they made their way down Main St., marchers distributed leaflets with "5 reasons to oppose the death penalty" and discussed the issue with curious onlookers. Entering the State House, the crowd headed to Governor Jeanne Shaheen's office to sign in and deliver postcards. A small group met with one of the governor's aides to address her opposition to the bill. Visits to the Senate Clerk and Sergeant at Arms's offices followed, as the legislators themselves were also on vacation. However, Rep. David Welch, chair of the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, did return to Concord expressly to meet with the young constituents. He listened to arguments, discussed his own position, and offered tips for successful advocacy.
As the sun set, students left the building for a rally on the State House Plaza. They refueled with powerful words from Rev. Canon, Marthe Dyner, and affirming music from Doug Clegg. Reflections on the day followed, and many students took the mike to announce their renewed dedication to stopping state-sponsored executions. All the students will remember the day they took to the classrooms, the streets, and the governor's office to demand an end to executions. They have something to say about the death penalty, and will make sure no one in the State House forgets.
Alison Booth is AFSC's Youth Organizer.
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