Mumia on the death penalty – in conversation with Cornel West

Death Row Graveoriginally published by: San Francisco BayView
23rd April 2010

The anti-death penalty movement is an offshoot of the global human rights movement as expressed by private associations and later by a variety of governments.

It is noteworthy, then, for us to cite the state abolition of the death penalty in Kenya in 2009. We should also note the fact that the rate of juries meting out death sentences has fallen to its lowest in 30 years.

And finally, several months ago, the group that was perhaps most instrumental in fashioning the present death penalty, the American Law Institute, announced it would no longer participate in formulating laws governing the death penalty.

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Voices of Faith: What is your faith’s view of capital punishment?

Graveyard & Deathoriginally published by: The Modesto Bee
14th April 2010

The Rev. Pat Rush, pastor, Visitation Catholic Church: Catholic teaching has consistently acknowledged the right of the state to both take the life of a person guilty of an extremely serious crime and take appropriate action to protect its citizens from grave harm.

However, the question for today is whether capital punishment is justifiable under present circumstances. In recent years, our leaders have answered that question in the negative.

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Untouchable elite seems ripe for reform

Police Paradeoriginally published by: The Guardian
1st April 2010

They are known as the “Muscle of the Met”, accused of being an untouchable elite who cover their badge numbers, treat the public with disdain and, most concerning of all, are virtually never held to account for their actions.

Senior officers at Scotland Yard acknowledge that the 730 officers in their territorial support group (TSG) have an image problem, but say it is cosmetic. They may have found themselves the subject of unflattering footage at the G20 protests, but their supporters point out they are deployed on the most volatile and potentially controversial operations, from stop and search to drug raids and demonstrations.

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