|
Death Penalty Survey Editor
Those advocating for abolition of the death penalty were shocked to hear Senators supporting the death penalty speak during the floor debate on LB 1063 of a survey purporting to show that a majority of Nebraskans support the death penalty for the most heinous of crimes. We now know that survey was funded and conducted by a pro-death penalty lobbyist and the sole question on the survey was "Do you support or oppose the continued use of the death penalty for the most heinous crimes?" Further, even though the survey was completed in February, its results were kept secret until the evening before the debate.
We need to raise our voices of concern about the use of these kinds of tactics. Please take a few moments to write a letter to the media expressing your own thoughts on the matter.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Death Penalty Survey
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
Sincerely,
|
Campaign Launched:
March 27, 2008
|
Yesterday began on an upbeat note with an enthusiastic crowd coming together for a spirited rally, than heading inside to listen to the debate. As we had hoped, a sea of abolitionists in white shirts filled the visitors gallery.
As the discussion unfolded a number of state senators talked about the large number of phone calls, letters and e-mails they had received from constituents asking them to vote to repeal the death penalty.
Then we began to hear more and more references to a new poll that purported to back the claims that the governor and attorney general had been making that Nebraskans continue to overwhelmingly support the death penalty. Senators against LB 1063 held the poll up to show that despite all their constituents who had contacted them backing the bill, they were acting in accord with the will of most Nebraskans in
opposing it.
Now facts about the poll are emerging. You can read some of them in this article in the Lincoln Journal Star: www.journalstar. com/articles/ 2008/03/25/ news/politics/ doc47e9afc11200d 732947998. txt
Because the media has failed to do its job to question the validity and intent of the poll, WE need to do it. Like all that we do, to make that happen we need to count on you. Please use letters to the editor,
on-line comments, talk radio call-in shows and other means to present the facts about this poll that raise big questions about whether it truly reflects the thinking of Nebraskans on this issue.
(Statement from Mark Weddleton, Field Organizer for Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty)
|
