A milestone -- and an opportunity

The following appeal comes from Abe Bonowitz, who wears several hats -- he is an NCADP board member, he currently works for our New Jersey affiliate and he is the founder and head of Citizens United for Alternatives to the Death Penalty.

This appeal comes hours before the 100th person out of Harris County is scheduled to be executed.

Greetings All,
I had a crazy idea this afternoon while driving home from a meeting. I was thinking about a nasty milestone that is coming up - probably this week, when Lonnie Johnson is set to become the 100th prisoner to be put to death out of Harris County, Texas on July 24, 2007. Read all about Harris County in this report issued on Friday by Amnesty International.

In thinking about this milestone, I decided to do something symbolic and at the same time meaningful. I decided to mobilize MY base - that is, YOU - people who receive and read CUADPUpdate. With less activity, list membership has dwindled from around 5,000 to its current level of 3,303. There is still enough of us to pull this off, and then some, and since CUADP is technically on a sabbatical, why not mobilize you to help some other groups' specific efforts?

HERE'S THE CHALLENGE: Please join CUADP in going to http://www.tcadp.org/donate.php to use your credit card to send $100 to the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. If you prefer to give by check, send it to TCADP at 2709 South Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78704.

I'd like to see 100 gifts of $100 to TCADP (or another Texas abolitionist group) by July 31st, if not sooner, just from people (and organizations) on this list. Can't swing $100? How about 100 quarters ($25)? Or 100 dimes ($10)? I should note that it's
Saturday night as I send this. I have not spoken to anyone in Texas or anywhere else about this idea. I'm just doing it. I can't imagine they will complain.... Obviously, because I don't see TCADP's information and in fact because I have no formal relationship with TCADP other than being a supporter/donor, the only way I can track how this campaign is going is if you send me an e-mail confirming your participation. I'm not listing names, but I will follow up this message several times between now and July 31 to update our progress. Just send me a note saying you made a gift to TCADP (or another Texas Abolitionist group) and tell me the amount you have sent. (Blogger's note: Abe can be reached at abe@cuadp.org)
I
gave CUADP's $100 to TCADP and noted it should be considered "general
funds." A few alternative groups to give to - let me know if I am missing
any:
Texas Death Penalty Abolition Movement - checks only, to s.h.a.p.e.
center, 3903 almeda road, houston, tx 77004
Texas Moratorium Network - http://www.texasmoratorium.org/ -
and click on DONATE
Texas Defender Service - http://www.texasdefender.org/contribute.asp
Gulf Region Advocacy Center - http://www.gracelaw.org/support.html
Texas Students Against the Death Penalty - http://www.texasabolition.org/ - and
click on DONATE
The upcoming Texas Journey of Hope ...From Violence to
Healing - http://www.journeyofhope.org/pages/support.htm
- be sure to indicate that your gift is for the Texas Journey!
*****************
100 gifts of $100 on the occasion of the 100th
Harris County execution. It's both symbolic and meaningful. We can do
this. Please join me. Thank you.
--abe