 Other speakers include the national director of Sister Helen Prejean's Dead Man Walking School Theatre Project, a representative from the Washington D.C. office of Amnesty International, Bill Pelke, president of Journey of Hope ... from Violence to Healing, Susannah Sheffer of Murder Victims' Families for Human Rights, a student organizer from Campus Progress in Washington D.C., and several family members of people currently on Texas death row, some convicted under the Law of Parties even though they did not themselves kill anyone.
Participants will come away with firsthand knowledge of the anti-death penalty movement and a new understanding of how they can affect public policy. Plus, they will have an opportunity to form new friendships that could last a lifetime. During the spring break students will have plenty of free time to enjoy Austin, the Live Music Capital of the World and home of the University of Texas at Austin and the SXSW Music, Film and Interactive Festival, which takes place the same week as our alternative spring break.
The alternative spring break is designed to be an intensive experience for high school and college students interested in human rights, but all of the events and workshops are open to the public of all ages.
We will provide participants with workshops led by experienced, knowledgeable presenters who will teach them skills that they can use to go back home and set up new anti-death penalty student organizations or improve ones that may already exist. The skills participants will learn can also be used in other issues besides the death penalty.
Students will gain valuable training and experience in grassroots organizing, lobbying, preparing a rally and media relations. During the week, students will immediately put what they learn into action during activities such as an Anti-Death Penalty Lobby Day and a Justice Rally at the Texas Capitol on Thursday, May 18. Cory Session, the brother of Timothy Cole, will speak at the rally. Cole was an innocent person who died of natural causes in prison while serving a 25-year sentence for a rape he did not commit. He was posthumously pardoned by Rick Perry.
On Thursday May 18, there will be a panel discussion at the Texas Capitol in Room E2.016 at 12:30 with six innocent exonerated former death row prisoners, as well as two family members of murder victims.
http://springbreakalternative.org/deathpenalty
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