Get involved!  It's a Marianist priority for 2011.  Over 50 people have already made a commitment, but our goal is 500!  Won't you be one of them?  Click here to see what you can do.

Keep the Immigrant DREAM Alive  

Ask your Senators to co-sponsor the DREAM Act of 2011. Sen. Richard Durbin recently introduced this bill to allow alien students who are long-term US residents and who entered the United States as children to achieve citizenship. The DREAM Act is not an alternative to comprehensive immigration reform but a step in the right direction. Encourage your senators to cosponsor the bill or thank them if they have already done so. Click here and enter your zip code. An appropriate sample message will come up based on your senator's co-sponsorship status. Click here for more information on the DREAM Act.

Reflective inserts for parish bulletins on immigration are now available for May and June.

Starvin' for Justice - Fast and Vigil to Abolish the Death Penalty

This 18th annual event will take place on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court in

Lauren Olson

Washington DC from June 29-July 2. Team member, Lauren Olson, will join others from across the U.S. and Canada for public education and outreach about abolishing the death penalty. Lauren commented, "Working with such a faithful and dedicated group as the MSJC Death Penalty Team has shown me how small yet strategic acts of justice can go a long way. Margaret Mead summarized the work of MSJC best when she said, 'Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.'" Click here for more information, or email Lauren  if you would like to join her for some of the Fast and Vigil.

Sole Provider of Drug for U.S. Executions Faces Ethical Dilemma 

The Death Penalty Information Center reports that "Lundbeck Inc., a Danish pharmaceutical company that is the sole manufacturer of pentobarbital for sale in the U.S., is facing an ethical dilemma regarding the use of its drug in executions."  Denmark opposes capital punishment, as does the rest of the European Union. The company has written letters to prisons in eleven states demanding that their product not be used for executions; so far no responses have been received. Read more about their dilemma on the Issue Team's page. 

Victims' Family Members and Law Enforcement Speak Out

Recent editorials have summarized some important opposition to the use of the death penalty. The New York Times speaks for many co-victims (the families of murder victims) who report that executions do not bring closure and that the entire process actually prolongs their suffering, as well as being a waste of money. The Danbury (CT) News-Times, reacting to two recent studies of the attitudes and opinions of law enforcement professionals, wrote that "The majority of police chiefs said the death penalty does not deter violent crime, and they rank the death penalty last in effective tools to fight crime."

Shawn Hawkins

Will Ohio Execute an Innocent Man?

Shawn Hawkins is on Ohio's death row, facing execution on June 14th. Shawn has maintained his innocence since he was sentenced 22 years ago. Evidence suggests that Mr. Hawkins was wrongfully convicted of a double murder. Read more about Shawn Hawkin's case and sign a petition to the governor urging him to grant clemency.

Myles McCabe Leaves MSJC Steering Committee

Myles McCabe has been a member of the MSJC Steering Committee for the past seven years, representing the SM Peace and Justice Office. Since he is no longer director of that office, the Steering Committee took time at our recent conference call to thank Myles for his many contributions to our work. He was an important part of our team and will be missed. Myles has indicated that he wants to stay involved in some way with the work of MSJC.We wish him the best in all his future endeavors.