Keep Wisconsin Death Penalty Free

On Tuesday, November 7, 2006, voters in Wisconsin will be asked to consider a referendum on whether to reinstate the death penalty after more than 150 years without it. Specifically, the referendum asks:

Should the death penalty be enacted in the state of Wisconsin for cases involving a person who is convicted of first-degree intentional homicide, if the conviction is supported by DNA evidence?

Amnesty International USA is part of a coalition that is working to make sure that Wisconsin remains DEATH PENALTY FREE! If you have family or friends in Wisconsin, please encourage them to learn more about this important human rights issue and to oppose any effort to impose the death penalty.

Help Raise Awareness!You can find lots of ideas for raising awareness about the Wisconsin Death Penalty referendum in our Resource Manual (PDF |MS Word).

You can also get ideas by looking at events being held by activists around Wisconsin. Please consider taking part in some activity to raise awareness about this important issue and then let us know so that we can publicize it on our website.

Download the interview conducted recently with Amnesty International's Midwest Regional Office staff, interns, and Martina Correia the State Death Penalty Abolition Coordinator and National Chair of the AIUSA Program to Abolish the Death Penalty National Steering Committee.
MP3 format | Streaming audio

You can also contact Robert Schultz in the Midwest Regional Office at 312-435-6396 or rschultz@aiusa.org or Wisconsin State Death Penalty Abolition Coordinator Greg Schutz (Racine) at gt.schutz@gmail.com.

Learn more

Take Action!

If you live in Wisconsin, please consider taking at least one of the following actions:

Write a letter to the editor on why Wisconsin should remain death penalty-free
Encourage your faith community to participate in the National Weekend of Faith in Action, October 20-22, 2006, by organizing an activity or event on the death penalty. An organizing packet, which includes a free DVD, is available upon registering: www.amnestyusa.org/faithinaction
Host a house party with your friends, family, and neighbors to watch a film and discuss the death penalty issue (films and discussion guides are available - contact Kristin Houlé in the Program to Abolish the Death Penalty at khoule@aiusa.org or 202-544-0200, ext. 496)
Host a speaker or educational event with your book club, civic group, Lions/Rotary Club, workplace, community group, faith community
Work with other Amnesty International members in your area to organize a public event (for example, a town hall meeting on the death penalty or a panel discussion). The Midwest Regional Office can connect you with local Amnesty members and can help you advertise your event.

If you live outside of Wisconsin, please send an email or ecard to your friends and families in the Badger State!