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November 2007
November 30, 2007
The walk to stop executions continues across California
Join the walk, attend a demonstration, make a donation. Walkers
for Death Penalty Focus, California People of Faith Working Against
the Death Penalty, and Amnesty International USA have embarked on a
800 mile from San Diego to Sacramento. The purpose of the walk is to
draw 
attention
to the issues, raise money, unite local activists and encourage the
district attorney in every county along the walk route not to seek the
death penalty in any case. Remaining November stops include: San Jose,
Oakland, San Quentin and Richmond. The walk ends in Sacramento on November
30.
Learn more >>
November 14, 2007
Tookie: A night of remembrance
Location: Hollywood United Methodist Church, 618 Franklin Avenue, Hollywood,
CA
When: 7:30pm
Williams was on San Quentin’s death row beginning in 1981 for
the killing of four people. He was the co-founder of the Crips gang
and was executed by lethal injection on December 13, 2005. His book,
Blue Rage, Black Redemption: A Memoir by Stanley Tookie Williams, tells
the story of his transformation. This event will feature on-stage readings
from his book by special guests and an on-stage discussion with Q&A.
Special guests include Barbara Becnel, who wrote the book's epilogue.
Also appearing will be Tom Hayden and actor/activist Mike Farrell. Both
men knew Tookie and lobbied on his behalf. Tickets are $20 and include
a copy of the book.
Learn more >>
October 2007
October
26-27, 2007
Conference to focus juvenile justice reform in California
“Juvenile Justice Reform: Forty Years After Gault”
Venue: UC Berkeley’s Boalt Law School
Cosponsors: Berkeley Center for Criminal Justice (BCCJ) and the National
Council on Crime and Delinquency (NCCD)
The conference will feature top juvenile justice leaders from the Bay
Area and across the nation. It is intended for service providers, law
enforcement officials, corrections officials, policymakers, attorneys,
advocates, community leaders, funders, academics, students and others
interested in juvenile justice reform.
October 24-27, 2007
Association for Conflict Resolution Annual Conference
Hyatt Regency, Phoenix, Arizona
“Rethinking the Table: People, Places, and Practices” is
the theme for this gathering to consider alternative dispute resolution.
October 25, 2007
Vigil of Witness against the death penalty
Time: 7pm
Location: Cathedral of the Annunciation, 440 W. Rose Street, Stockton,
CA
Prayer and reflection hosted by Restorative Justice and Peace and Justice
Ministries. All faiths welcome.
October 22, 2007
Restorative Justice broadcast airs on WHYY public radio
What do we really want when we ask for justice? Anyone who has experienced
injustice knows that it feels like a theft. Something has been taken
from one's life, whether it is security, a loved one, or a bodily function.
Some experts suggest that what people really want is to have their loss
understood and acknowledged. Listen to a challenging discussion that
looks at real world applications of restorative justice practices.
October 19-21, 2007
National Weekend of Faith in Action
Amnesty International has organized an opportunity for faith communities,
interfaith groups, human rights activists, and others to examine the
death penalty from a faith-based or values-based perspective.
More
information >>
Download
the Faith in Action Resource Guidebook >>
October 17, 2007
California public hearing on remedies for wrongful conviction
Time: 9:30am to noon
Venue: Kennedy Commons, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA
The California Commission on the Fair Administration of Justice will
hold public hearings to focus on five sets of questions. Among other
topics, the questions deal with whether or not current laws are adequate,
the obstacles in getting claims of innocence reviewed, the availability
of laboratory testing, and compensation for those wrongfully incarcerated.
Press
release >>
Learn about the
commission >>
October 10, 2007
World Day Against the Death Penalty
World Day Against the Death Penalty will focus on the proposed UN General
Assembly resolution for a universal moratorium on executions.
October
3-6, 2007
Arts in Criminal Justice National Conference
Venue: Sheraton City Center, Philadelphia, PA
Learn how art can be used to further the goals of criminal and restorative
justice, exchange best practices, meet others in the field and participate
in the formation of a national coalition to continue the work.
September 2007
September 5-10, 2007
ICCPPC XII World Congress
Theme: “Discovering Christ’s Face in Every Prisoner”
Venue: Casa La Salle, Rome, Italy
The International Commission for Catholic Prison Pastoral Care promotes
the humanization, revision and reform of the prison system throughout
the world. World Congress meetings are held every four years.
July 2007
July 20-27, 2007
Documentary Screening: Bad Boys of Summer—San Quentin
Baseball
Time: 7:30 pm
Venue: Ninth Street Media Center, 145 Ninth Street, San Francisco
Bad Boys Of Summer is a feature documentary that follows the charismatic
coach of the San Quentin Giants through his final season with the prison
baseball program, as he tries to change the lives of the men on his
team. By peeling back the layers of their dark personal histories, he
reveals their inner core as human beings.
Buy tickets or more information >>
July 8, 2007
“Father G and the Homeboys” at LA film festival
Time: 12:30pm
Venue: Laemmle’s Sunset 5 Theater, 8000 Sunset Boulevard, West
Hollywood, CA 90046
“Father G and The Homeboys” chronicles the lives of four
Latino gang-bangers as they re-direct their lives in a war-torn area
of Los Angeles known as Boyle Heights, the one-time the street gang
capital of the world. For over 20 years Father Gregory Boyle and his
nonprofit organization, Homeboy Industries, have helped kids plan for
their future instead of their funerals.
More information and tickets >>
June 2007
June 29, 2007
California’s Prison Crisis
Venue: LACBA Conference Center, 281 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA
90012
Time: 11:30am – 1:30pm
Lunch and a panel discussion that addresses the question: Will our leaders
implement systemic reforms or will they delay taking action until the
Federal Judiciary mandates massive changes? Sponsored by the LA County
Bar Association
For more information or to register >>
June 26, 2007
Dialogue on the Death Penalty: Faith Leaders Discussing
Capital Punishment
Venue: Los Angeles Marriott, 333 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles,
CA 90071
Time: 10:30am - 2pm
Ordained faith leaders from Los Angeles county are invited to participate
in this clergy-only luncheon sponsored by Death Penalty Focus, California
Council of Churches, Progressive Jewish Alliance, California People
of Faith Working Against the Death Penalty and California Church Alliance.
This event is free, but you must RSVP by June 21 to guarantee a space.
To RSVP or for more information, call (415) 243-0143.
May 2007
May 6-9, 2007
27th National Convocation of Jail and Prison Ministry
Theme: "Instruments of Peace"
Venue: Franciscan Renewal Center, Scottsdale, Arizona
This conference brings advocates of Restorative Justice together every
year, and it is having a powerful and positive effect on all those involved.
May 4, 2007
California Juvenile Restorative Justice Conference
WHEN: 8am-5pm
WHERE: Hyatt vineyard Creek Hotel & Spa, Santa Rosa, CA
A daylong, statewide forum on making restorative justice principles
and practices part of the California juvenile justice system. Earn 7
hours CE credit. Hosted by Restorative Resources.
Download
speakers, schedule and registration info
>>
Learn
more about Restorative Resources
>>
April 2007
April 26-28, 2007
National Training Institute of the Center for Children of Incarcerated
Parents
Theme: Designing and Developing Services for Children of Criminal
Offenders
Location: Western Justice Center, Pasadena, CA
This 20 hour Institute will provide experienced practitioners and program
directors with an interactive experience in designing new services for
children of criminal offenders and their families. The Institute will
emphasize approaches that produce effective services with measurable
outcomes and meet the needs of both clients and funders.
More information and registration >>
April 27, 2007
Dead Wrong: The case against the death penalty
WHEN: 7:30-9:30pm
WHERE: Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura, 5654 Ralston St. Ventura,
CA 93003
Panel discussion moderated by Erin Callahan, West Coast Regional Director
of Amnesty International, and include Gloria Killian and Greg Wilhoit,
wrongfully convicted, and Stephen Rohde, Vice President of Death Penalty
Focus.
Contact Death Penalty Focus information@deathpenalty.org
or 415.243.0143 for more information
April 25, 2007
Restorative Justice Forum
WHEN: 7-9pm
WHERE: Nevada County Eric Rood Administrative Center, Madelyn Helling
Library, 950 Maidu Ave, Nevada City, CA
Nevada County Peace Center will host a forum on restorative justice
featuring victims of crime, advocates for restorative justice, a newly
elected judge, and a victims’ advocate with the county victims
witness program. Lisa Rea of the Justice and Reconciliation Project
will present restorative justice and moderate the panel. Nick and Amanda
Wilcox and Deborah Jordan of Nevada county will talk about their experiences
as victims of violent crime and how they view restorative justice.
For more information contact Shirley McDonald at 530-265-5545 or email
JRP at jrp@mindsync.com
April 24, 2007
9th Annual Catholic Lobby Day
WHEN: 9am to 4pm
WHERE: Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, 11th & K Streets, Sacramento,
CA
For the ninth consecutive year, the California Catholic Conference (CCC)
is hosting Catholics from all over California who are interested in
exercising their “faithful citizenship” in the state Capitol.
The CCC welcomes all who are interested in meeting with elected officials
to speak on behalf of those who are poor, vulnerable or voiceless. This
one-day event which will include information sessions, a rally at the
Capitol, visits with legislators, and a Mass celebrated at the Cathedral.
For more information or to register >>
April 19, 2007
16th Annual Death Penalty Focus Awards Dinner
WHEN: 6:30pm
WHERE: The Beverly Hilton Hotel, 9876 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills,
CA 90210
Reservations and more information >>
April 17, 2007
Taxpayers for Improving Public Safety (TiPS) Lobby Day
WHEN: 9am-4pm
WHERE: Sacramento Capital Building
An opportunity to advocate for prison reform and improved public safety.
For more information call 916.444.5551 or email LobbyDay@ForPublicSafety.com
April 7, 2007
The Crime Within: A Prison Law Symposium
WHEN: 9:30am-3:30pm
WHERE: UC Davis School of Law, 400 Mrak Hall Drive, Davis, CA
This free forum will take a comprehensive look at the state of California’s
prison system and possible reform based on restorative justice. Russ
Turner, a victim of violent crime in California who is now a victim
advisor and supports restorative justice, and Lisa Rea, President of
the Justice & Reconciliation Project, will participate.
More
information >>
Learn about JRP
>>
April 1, 2007
Run for Victims’ Rights 2007
WHEN: 7:45am
WHERE: Point Fermin Park, 807 Paseo Del Mar, San Pedro, CA
This 5K Run-Walk is supported by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Restorative
Justice Victims’ Ministry and the city of Los Angeles and will
fund services to victims of crime.
For more information and online registration >>
March 2007
March 6-31, 2007
Book signing schedule for Mike Farrell’s new autobiography
Mike Farrell, president of the board of directors of Death
Penalty Focus, has just published Just Call Me Mike - A Journey to Actor
and Activist and is on a national book tour which will include many
appearances throughout California.
March
27, 2007
Annual California Interfaith Coalition Legislative Issues
Briefing Day
WHERE: Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, 11th & K Streets,
Sacramento, CA
This Briefing Day has a full schedule of informative workshops, a presentation
on "How to Lobby," and legislative visits to exercise your
lobbying skills. Speakers include:
- Jean Ross of the California Budget Project
- Anthony Wright of Health Access
- Elizabeth Landsberg of Western Center on Law and Poverty
- Laura Magnani of Care for the Stranger
- Cary Sanders of the California Immigrant Policy Center
- Karuna Jaggar of the Women’s Initiative and Gary Patton of the
Planning & Conservation League.
For more information or to register >>
March 1-26, 2007
The Prison Project opens with a striking new work
WHEN: Thursdays through Sundays, 8pm
WHERE: Intersection for the Arts, 446 Valencia Street, San Francisco,
CA 94103
"A Place to Stand” is collage of stories and music impressively
performed and strikingly staged. It is the opening work in a year-long
series of events and programs called The Prison Project. With this project,
an array of artists working in fields as broad as visual art, theatre,
dance, poetry and jazz challenge us to recognize that incarceration
is a fundamental part of the fabric of contemporary Californian, and
U.S. society.
Learn
more about the Prison Project >>
Read
the San Francisco Chronicle article about “A Place to Stand”
>>
March 25, 2007
Daughters Left Behind: A Documentary
Mothers are often the primary or sole caregivers to their children.
Their incarceration can destroy a family, and the displacement and separation
can take a serious toll on the children left behind. They often suffer
from a host of psychological problems, from shame and anger to depression
and abandonment issues. In this recently aired documentary, journalist
Lisa Ling set out to find out what life is like for the daughters of
women behind bars and how 'the system' helps or hinders them.
March 3, 2007
Public Witness Against the Death Penalty
WHAT: During the Religious Education Congress at the Anaheim
Convention Center there will be a public witness to end the death penalty.
Catholic bishops, Sister Helen Prejean, and many others will be there
and will march with banners along Convention Way.
WHEN: Noon
WHERE: 800 West Katella Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92802
Meet on the grass at the main entrance (on Katella) to the Convention
Center.
MORE INFO: proudpoppa@aol.com
March
2, 2007
Capitol Awards Banquet in Sacramento
Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking and The Death
of Innocents, and Mike Farrell, President of Death Penalty Focus, will
be featured speakers. This annual event is co-sponsored by Death Penalty
Focus and the Friends Committee on Legislation of California.
Time: VIP Reception at 5:30pm, Dinner at 7:00pm
Location: Radisson Hotel,
500 Leisure Lane, Sacramento, CA 95815