Faith in Action

2005 National Weekend of Faith in Action on the Death Penalty: October 21-23, 2005 Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) invites faith communities, interfaith groups, human rights activists, and individuals of all faiths throughout the country to devote the weekend of October 21-23, 2005 to the death penalty issue, using your own faith traditions and values as a starting point. AIUSA's National Weekend of Faith in Action on the Death Penalty (NWFA) is an annual project coordinated by the Program to Abolish the Death Penalty. Every October, the NWFA seeks to bring together faith communities and human rights activists under the common cause of social justice. The NWFA can be anything you want it to be in your community -- it's not a national conference, it's a local event organized by people like you! Local involvement in the NWFA takes many different forms and is based upon the needs and comfort level of your community. In years past, participants have hosted speakers on the death penalty, watched videos and held discussions, led prayers, delivered sermons, organized vigils, and much more. These activities have taken place on college and high school campuses, in churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, and sanghas, in public forums, and among interfaith groups of all sizes and affiliations. Participants in the NWFA receive an organizing packet, which includes a comprehensive Faith in Action Resource Guidebook, as well as other practical resource materials. This year, all participants will receive a free copy of the DVD "The Empty Chair," which presents the stories of four families that have been victimized by murder and must confront their notions of loss and punishment. In 2004, over 550 faith communities and groups representing diverse faith traditions participated in the NWFA. We hope that you will join with us this year in observing this solidarity weekend of reflection, discussion, and action on the death penalty. Reach out and initiate an open dialogue with members of your community! To register, visit the Amnesty International USA website at http://www.amnestyusa.org/faithinaction/signup.html or contact NWFA Coordinator Kristin Houlé at khoule@aiusa.org or 202-544-0200 ext. 496. You may also request promotional brochures in English and Spanish, for dissemination to your community. For more information, please visit http://www.amnestyusa.org/faithinaction/index.html. Kristin Houlé Program Associate Program to Abolish the Death Penalty Amnesty International USA 600 Pennsylvania Ave. SE Washington, DC 20003 202-544-0200 ext.496