Saturday, June 27, 2009 9:00 A.M. –11 A.M.
The march will begin at 9:00AM at Republic Park in downtown Austin and proceed north to the south steps of the Texas State Capitol. Speakers & presentations will occur at the State Capitol from 10AM to 11AM.
Completely organized by grassroots volunteers
National event website: www.freedommarchusa.org
RAISING AWARENESS OF WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS AND UNITED VOICES FOR JUSTICE Announce: FREEDOM MARCH 2009 — a coordinated multi-state event to raise awareness of wrongful convictions, spotlight the need for criminal justice reform and show support for a moratorium on the death penalty. With over 2 million in jails & prisons – more documented prisoners per capita than any other country in the world — the USA has become Incarceration Nation. On June 27, 2009, marchers are gathering in state capitols across America, including in Austin, Texas. Early response has been strong – states with confirmed marches in the capitol cities include Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Michigan, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Freedom March 2009 is an opportunity to raise united voices for justice.
CONTACT:
AUSTIN:
Lucy Frost
Event Coordinator
512-844-2520
justicereform@gmail.com
NATIONAL MEDIA COORDINATORS:
Sherri Heath
Media Coordinator
(405)308-6238
oufan59@hotmail.com
&
William Newmiller
(719) 651-9205
bill@newmiller.com
About Freedom March 2009
Modern science and technology have shaken the once strong faith many once placed in the accuracy of judgments made by our criminal justice system. Thanks to DNA analysis of biological evidence, hundreds have been exonerated—many after spending years on death row. Research by D. Michael Risinger, Professor of Law at Seton Hall indicates that 3.3%-5% of those convicted of crimes are factually innocent. Those who value justice demand that the criminal justice system apply the lessons to be learned from the many cases of wrongful conviction, and support policy initiatives that:
1. Raise the accuracy rate in judgments of guilt and innocence.
2. Resolve credible post-conviction claims of innocence.
3. Remedy the tragic impact of wrongful convictions.
For those who are guilty of crimes, we support enlightened approaches to incarceration that nurture genuine rehabilitation and reintegration of productive citizens whenever possible.