Friends, On the list below, notice that of the six U.S. executions scheduled for March, five were in Texas and that 3 were carried out. Two more are scheduled in April. The Friends (Quaker) Meeting of Austin (through a representative member, Walter Long) has requested that we join them in writing a congregational letter to the governor and the Board of Pardons and Paroles protesting each execution 30 days precceding the date of execution. Three things: Quakers and Mennonites have a long tradition of cooperating on peace and justice issues. Further, we are THE Mennonite congregation living in the capital of the capital of the death penalty of Western democracies. Finally, on the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, the Mennonite Central Committee's statement on the death penalty is the first on the list of religious organization's protesting the death penalty. It states as follows: Mennonite Central Committee (MCC)'s Anabaptists Against the Death Penalty MCC seeks to demonstrate God's love by working among people suffering from poverty, conflict, oppression and natural disaster. We oppose the death penalty because it violates the teaching and spirit of Jesus Christ. It does not deter crime. It is inevitably inequitable, irreversible and inhumane. In its place we affirm restitution and reconciliation, nonviolence, aid to victims and improvements of social conditions. If there are other reasons for or against this effort, please speak up. I will place the sample letter at the back of the church again tomorrow for you to look over and suggest that we make a decision on this soon. Ray Gingerich MARCH EXECUTIONS March March 14: Tony Ford, TX - stayed March 15: Tommie Hughes, TX - executed March 17: Patrick Moody, NC - executed March 22: Robert Salazar Jr., TX - executed March 28: Raymond Martinez, TX - stayed March 29: Kevin Kincy, TX - executed