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Transcript: How to discuss the
death penalty with your elected representatives
Kevin Moderator: Hello, everyone. Thank you for joining us today. Today's
chat is with Heidi Evans and Ryan Warner. Both are Legislative Coordinators for
Amnesty International USA.
Ryan Warner has been active in the human rights movement for the last 13 years
working on numerous campaigns and issues including the death penalty (in Oregon
and Washington), torture and torture treatment, and human rights in the North
of Ireland. He has held numerous volunteer positions within Amnesty International,
and spent 2 years on staff in the Western Regional Office. Currently Ryan is the
Washington State Legislative Coordinator for Amnesty International. Ryan has also
lobbied on behalf of the Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs and the
Alzheimer's Association of Oregon.
Heidi Evans is currently the Oregon State Legislative Coordinator for Amnesty
International and has been active in Amnesty for 8 years. She also has worked
with the State and Federal legislative bodies for other organizations for the
past 15 years focusing on women's issues, gay and lesbian rights issues, disability
rights issues, and several candidate campaigns. While in law school, she worked
on a death penalty appeal case.
Some of you have already submitted questions. Today's questions will focus
on lobbying -- not general questions about the death penalty. I encourage you
to post questions about the death penalty on the message board.
I have a question to get us started.
Adam from Minnesota asks: With what level of government should people begin
the process of discussion and lobbying? Heidi?
Heidi Robinson It depends on the subject matter and where it might be
addressed. For example, legislation regarding CEDAW (the Convention to Eliminate
All Forms of Discrimination Against Women) is in the U.S. Senate right now but
several cities and States have taken up resolutions regarding it as well. It's
always good to start building relationships at every level. Introducing yourself
and your topics BEFORE a vote is needed is best.
Ryan Warner Lobbying can/should happen at all levels of government
however with the death penalty the most effective is on a state level since that
is where the decisions are made.
Heidi Robinson Yes, although Amnesty USA is working on the Innocence
Protection Act which deals with due process protections related to the death penalty
and it is in Congress.
Kevin Moderator What are some ways to introduce yourself to your representative?
Heidi Robinson Literally pick up the phone and call the office. Ask
for the aide who is working on the subject and ask for a meeting with them. Also
you can send in information or take it with you. Make sure you are Accurate, Brief,
and Courteous -- the ABC's of lobbying.
Concetta: Heidi, Which branch of Congress seems to favor abolition of
the death penalty the most?
Heidi Robinson: Concetta, I'm not certain one branch is stronger than
the other. The tide changes with majority party changes and individual changes
in each the House and the Senate.
Concetta: Okay, thank you, Heidi
Kevin Moderator: Go ahead, Reni.
Reni: I am particularly interest in death penalty of innocent persons.
Is this the law that addresses that?
Ryan Warner The Innocence Protection Act will help us utilize DNA technology
in capital cases
Kevin Moderator Megan, you are after hjv.
Reni: Ethically, how can it be justified if one innocent person dies
because of due process weaknesses? is that effective?
Ryan Warner: There is a lot more to that which is available on the
AIUSA website
Kevin Moderator Reni, I can get you more info on IPA.
Heidi Robinson The IPA would provide the defendant with a right to test
any DNA evidence collected. It would make sure it was kept. It also sets standards
for effective counsel.
Ryan Warner: I don't think you can justify it. Part of abolition,
I believe, is making sure that the process does not fail people
Heidi Robinson The IPA is not an abolition bill, which we would love
to see, but it is better than the existing laws and a step in the right direction.
Baby steps....
Kevin Moderator hjv, your turn. Please ask your question.
hjv: Who are the individuals and groups most effectively lobbying death
penalty abolition? What makes them most effective?
Kevin Moderator Good question.
Ryan Warner: There are many, and most exist on a state level. For instance
in California Death Penalty Focus is extremely effective.
Heidi Robinson In addition, Amnesty International USA has a Death Penalty
State Coordinator in many states. Your regional office could assist you with locating
the person in your state, if any.
Kevin Moderator Megan is next. Then, Reni.
Megan When meeting with aides, etc, is one-on-one better, or bring a
tribe with you for support? Will the representative's office probably have several
people meet with you, the advocate?
Kevin Moderator Another good question!
Heidi Robinson It is best to limit your topics to no more than three,
preferably one, in my experience. It is OK to bring a group, but you don't want
to overwhelm the aide. I'd stick with 5 or less. Make sure you all have a role
and PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!!
Heidi Robinson You will typically meet with the aide -- one only --
the one assigned to your topic. But always ask to meet with the member of congress.
Kevin Moderator Can you give an example of how you prepare/ practice
for a meeting?
Kevin Moderator Do you literally role play?
Ryan Warner: I usually lay out an agenda then role play it
Ryan Warner: Get comfortable with your presentation of your message
Heidi Robinson Kevin, Yes, one person would introduce the members of
the group. One would educate the aide on your group -- mission whatnot. Another
would bried the aide on the topic and position. Someone needs to ask for something:
"will the senator be voting for the IPA?" Then follow up should occur.
Thanks you note and call back to get response
Megan Is bringing signed petitions the only way to make a convincing
story?
Heidi Robinson Signed petitions are great, but being a constituent
and raising awareness and asking for support is good with or without petitions.
Kevin Moderator Reni, your turn.
Reni There is a headline article in our local paper this week stating,
"POLLS: voters favor death penalty by 66%" is this propaganda or for
real? The media can skew any statistic and the majority will think its true.
Kevin Moderator It depends on the question you ask.When given alternatives
to the death penalty, like life in prison, support for the death penalty drops.
Ryan Warner: Depends on the poll, for instance newspaper polls where
people are able to vote are easily skewed
Heidi Robinson Right, which is why it is so important that when you
give facts to a member of congress that it be Accurate (The A in the lobbying
ABC's) you can trust AI facts and should tout it's reputation. If you don't know,
tell the aide you'll find out and get back to them.
Heidi Robinson And, provide your source.
Kevin Moderator Go ahead Concetta.
Concetta: Who is the state Coordinator regarding the death penalty in
my state of Nevada?
Kevin Moderator Ryan or Heidi, do you know?
Ryan Warner: You would have to contact the Los Angeles office 310-815-0450
Heidi Robinson If you call 1.866.AREGION (I think) you will be patched
to the regional office for your state. They can tell you.
Kevin Moderator Great.
Kevin Moderator I have a question that was submitted earlier...
Concetta: thank you everyone, I will need that.
Kevin Moderator Abby from Kansas asks: I know you can write your senators
letters and their secretaries will read it, but how can you get them to to read
and listen to it?
Kevin Moderator Ryan?
Ryan Warner: The important thing is to develop a relationship and always
follow up
Kevin Moderator How frequently do you contact your rep?
Heidi Robinson As strange as it sounds, aides have said that getting
even just 10 hand written letters will catch a public officials attention. 10.
Because of the anthrax incident, they are now paying more attention to email,
too. Getting the word out and getting constituents to call can help your cause
immensely. You can point to this when you meet with them on the phone or in person
and if you've developed a good relationship, that will get their attention.
Ryan Warner: I am usually in contact once a month but it can really
depend on the issues we are working on and how they are voting.
Kevin Moderator I have more questions that were submitted earlier...
Kevin Moderator Lucy from New York asks: I am not a registered voter,
does that matter when talking with politicians?
Ryan Warner: It is always important to be a registered voter HOWEVER
it is not like they are going to ask for a voting card at the door.
Concetta: I work full time and go almost immediately to college. I am
a half time student with intentions of becoming a special education teacher. I
use to have more time when I wasn't in college yet. I have legislative experience
in dealing with the pro-life issue before I added Anti-death penalty to my agenda.
Now all I have time to do is Amnesty letters on line!
Heidi Robinson Certainly registering if you can is always good. It is
the votes that count. However, individuals can be very persuasive and effective
in other ways as well. Students have parents, they have neighbors, raising your
voice will get the message to registered voters.
Kevin Moderator At the interfaith breakfast this morning in DC, a Buddhist
said: "It starts with us."
Kevin Moderator She suggested talking to neighbors as a first step.
Heidi Robinson That's right! If you can vote, you should. If you can't,
do other things.
Kevin Moderator I have more question...
Ryan Warner: Very true.
Kevin Moderator Barbara from New Mexico asks: Two of my three US congressional
representatives (Rep. Heather Wilson and Sen. Pete Domenici) are far-right conservatives.
How can I effectively talk with them about the death penalty?
Heidi Robinson I've been there with one of my Senators! It's important
to be persistent and courteous. Talk, talk, talk. Educate. Human Rights aren't
-- and shouldn't be -- republican or democratic.
Ryan Warner: You need to find out what argument is going to work for
them. For some it is the religious message, for some it will be the execution
of the innocent, for some it will be morals. Find out what is going to convince
them
Heidi Robinson Find out their objections and work with your group and
other like-minded folks to find responses. Getting the lines of communication
open and keeping the dialogue going is key. These things don't often happen overnight.
Heidi Robinson Ryan raises a very good point. Know your audience. What
are his/her interests? Back ground? Most vulnerable constituency?
Ryan Warner: Developing a strategy is very important when doing lobby
work
Kevin Moderator Good advice.
Kevin Moderator OK, Reni. You are next.
Kevin Moderator Megan you are after Reni.
Kevin Moderator Reni, go ahead.
Reni: I live in NM and agree with Barbara. I have a relationship started
with Sen. D' office asst Maggie. How reputable is AI with these far right people?
Will they think it is a radical organization?
Kevin Moderator Hmm. Good question.
Heidi Robinson That's the part of education. Your regional office and
legislative coordinator if you have one, can give you basic info on AIUSA. Share
that with the aide.
Reni Does AIUSA have any clout?
Heidi Robinson The fact that AI won the Nobel peace prize in 1977 and
is a very respected organization is far known, but not by all.
Kevin Moderator Go ahead, Megan. Then, Concetta.
Megan At the state level for contacts, is it just the Governor's aides
and the Governor to work with, or state representatives? In other words, is the
issue strictly the decision of the governor, or of the elected officials?
Heidi Robinson Yes! The Government Relations section of AIUSA is very active on
the hill. There are interns, too, that call MOCs offices and assist the Legislative
Coordinators. For members of the house there is a human rights caucus that is
informed about AIUSA.
Heidi Robinson Ryan, you've done lots a the state level with the death
penalty. Want to answer Megan's question?
Ryan Warner: Local communities can use their clout to pass resolutions
and statements on the death penalty. Those work as pressure.
Concetta: I believe Congresswoman Shelly Baroquely from my state of
Nevada is on that Human Rights caucus-is she not? Also- does AI still have Consultative
status at the UN?
Ryan Warner: Caucus membership is available on the AIUSA website, I'm
not sure about NV.
Heidi Robinson I don't know if Baroquely is in the caucus, but the regional
office will know and they would LOVE your asking her to join if she isn't or thanking
her if she is! ;-) I don't know about AI and the UN.
Concetta: Thank you very very much, Ryan and Heidi!
Heidi Robinson You're very, very welcome!
Reni ditto!
Ryan Warner: For those of you in the Western Region there will be a
legislative workshop at the regional conference.
Kevin Moderator Here is another question...
Kevin Moderator Barge from Pennsylvania asks: Is there a record of
where our legislators currently stand on the death penalty issue?
Heidi Robinson Probably somewhere in Thomas you could find it through
a word search. It would be easier to contact your LC or the regional office and
they could get you that info. I know there are GCS in PA who are very active.
Concetta: Yes, I wanted to know how much the general public is aware
of the fact that it's more expensive to execute someone than it is to keep them
in prison for life?
Ryan Warner: I would recommend checking with your state DP coordinator
and possibly the legislative coordinator.
Ryan Warner: Heidi would you like to explain what Thomas is
Heidi Robinson I don't know, Concetta, but that information from a reliable source
is a good topic for pro-death penalty MOCs. If they don't want to abolish because
of the immorality, maybe they will because of the cost.
Heidi Robinson Thomas is a long-standing legislative resource tool
that is now available also online. You can track a bill through the legislative
process. The website also has links to the House of Rep and the Senate where you
can then link to individual MOCs web sites.
Kevin Moderator MOC = members of Congress
Concetta: What are we going to do about the death penalty in states
that make a big living out of it like Texas?
Kevin Moderator Lots of education on the issues is needed in Texas.
Concetta: Nothing could be more true than that!
Ryan Warner: We must keep up the pressure and continuing to chip away
the practice of capital punishment
Kevin Moderator Yes, Concetta. Go ahead.
Concetta: How many of you have ever heard of the case of Sacco and Vanzellit?
Heidi Robinson I am not aware of those cases by name.
Concetta: Excuse me-Sacco and Vanzetti
Ryan Warner: I have
Ryan Warner: The case is a perfect example of American injustice
Kevin Moderator We are approaching the end of the chat.
Kevin Moderator Heidi and Ryan...
Reni It takes great courage and fortitude to do this kind of work and
provide the commitment. Little reward for a lot of effort but when it comes it
is grand I am sure. I look forward to meeting some of you in this field some day.
Concetta: It was probably one of the most important death penalty cases
in American history. It happened in Braintree Massachusetts. Two Italian immigrants
were convicted of murder. They were both innocent, didn't get a fair trial, it
made world headlines!!!
Kevin Moderator Any parting advice, Heidi and Ryan?
Heidi Robinson Thank you all for participating. Keep up the good work
and remember, let your voice be heard!
Concetta: Please everyone look it up!!! I t happened in the 1920's
Megan: Heidi and Ryan, thank you for sharing your time and experience.
Kevin, thank you for keeping the ball rolling!
Ryan Warner: Thank you everyone
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