Wed. 5:30 pm Capitol

Texas has executed more than 4 times as many people as any other state in the country. We account for more than a third of all executions that have taken place in the U.S. in the past 30 years. The 400th execution in our state since we resumed executions in Dec 1982 will occur next Wednesday, August 22nd. Stop and read those numbers again.

It should make your blood boil. It does mine.

We need to make a strong, visible statement about these horrible statistics. Next Wednesday, August 22, we will hold a vigil when Texas conducts its next execution, as we do on the day of every such event. The vigil will be held on 12th Street in front of the state capitol from 5:30 to 6:30 PM. I ask you to join us for this event. Bring signs, bring your friends, bring your spouses, bring your children, bring your religious leaders, bring your moms and dads, bring your neighbors, bring your classmates, bring anybody you can. We need to have a large visible presence calling attention to our state’s record of killing its citizens.

We are sending out press notices and hope to have media coverage. We need each of you and all the folks mentioned above to be standing on the street in front of the capitol Wednesday.

Hope to see you and a large crowd there.

Bob Van Steenburg