Update about the scheduled execution at San Quentin - Thursday, Sept 30, rally at 6 pm

[Joyce Rybandt]

Dear Dharma Friends, 

Below is a message from Alan Senauke of the Berkeley Zen Center and former director of Buddhist Peace Fellowship. Alan provided a link where you can track the status of the court proceedings: www.clearviewproject.org. Hopefully this event will be cancelled.  

To reach the gate where the vigil/rally is held, from westbound Richmond/San Rafael Bridge, take the first exit (Francisco Blvd). Be sure not to park in areas where parking is prohibited. There will be a several side streets on your right as you head west where you should be able to find legal parking.  You will likely need to walk 1 to 1.5 miles to reach the gate so be sure to have good walking shoes. There’s more tips on what to bring in Alan’s message below.

For those who have not attended one of these before, in the past the Buddhist contingent sat in a group nearest the gate to the prison. After walking under the freeway, keep walking toward the gate past the homes until you see people sitting on the ground. Bring your own sitting cushion and a flashlight and dress warmly. If it will be cool, you might want to bring a warm beverage in a thermos. It is very moving to sit in silence during the sometimes-loud rally. If you stay until the designated time, expect to stretch your practice as difficult emotions arise.  

May all beings be safe, 

Joyce Rybandt

EXECUTION ALERT — DATE/TIME CHANGE

 

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has delayed Albert Greenwood Brown execution by nearly two days.  Brown is now scheduled to die by lethal injection at 9 p.m. Thursday. He initially was scheduled for execution at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.

Join us on Thursday evening, September 30th

Oppose the Dysfunctional Death Penalty in California!

RALLY & VIGIL AT 6:00PM at the EAST GATE OF SAN QUENTIN PRISON

 

As Buddhists have done for more than 15 years, please join us to sit together in silence while the rally is in progress

 

Check www.clearviewproject.org for last minute information and details.

 

The California Department of Corrections (CDCR) is pushing forward plans to execute Albert Brown on September 30th at 9pm, despite the fact that there are still many unresolved legal issues related to lethal injection in California. Death Penalty Focus, along with California People of Faith Working Against the Death Penalty, and Clear View Project take the position that CDCR's actions are hasty and harmful to victims' families who are being put through a legal roller coaster ride. 

Many of the legal issues surrounding this execution may not be resolved until the last minute, so we have to move forward with plans to oppose this execution. The death penalty in California is dysfunctional, costly, plagued with inaccuracies, applied in a racially biased manner, and inconsistent with the evolving standards of decency.

 

Alan would like you to email him if you are planning to attend: al...@kushiki.org.

For last minute information about the status of the proposed execution of Albert Brown, check the Clear View Project website, which will be updated on late afternoon Tuesday www.clearviewproject.org

For the rally and vigil park on Francisco Blvd. E. but expect to walk 1-1.5 Miles to get to the East Gate of San Quentin.

 

·        Wear good shoes for walking. 

·        Bring cushions and blankets for sitting.

·        Please bring lots of warm clothing with you, it can get very cold. 

·        Bring lots of water and snacks. 

·        Bring a flashlight or candles.

·        Bring a trash bag, so we can mindfully clean up after ourselves at the vigil’s conclusion.

                         

For further information Lance Lindsey at Death Penalty Focus, la...@deathpenalty.org or office 415-243-0143.