SWAN Village-to-Village Messaging System: To Tribal Leaders of Alaskan

To Tribal Leaders of Alaskan

Posted by Margaret on 2/18/2009, 2:32 pm
65.74.26.130

Tribal Leaders:
RE: Alaska Natives Oppose an Alaska Death Penalty
Please find attached a cover letter and a resolution opposing the reinstatement of the death penalty in Alaska. Alaskans Against the Death Penalty, a non-profit organization formed of Alaska residents, is seeking your help in rejecting the proposal to execute Alaskans.
Alaska had a death penalty during Territorial days, and that history shows the same thing that we have seen nationwide, that the death penalty is applied most to minorities, and to poor people who can’t afford to mount a rich man’s defense. Between 1903 and 1957 (when the Alaska Territory abolished the death penalty) all of the people who were executed were Alaska Natives or African-American, except for one man who was an ethnic minority from a foreign country. History shows that the indigenous people of Alaska are at risk from the death penalty.
We need resolutions signed and returned before February 23, 2009. If your director can sign and return the letter or your council can pass the resolution and fax it to Alaskans Against the Death Penalty as soon as possible, it would greatly help. Contact information is set out below.
Steven E. Sumida
ssumida4050@yahoo.com

Responses: