Once again, Ohioans to Stop Executions and our message was the buzz in the Statehouse. I say once again, because last year we made a big impact too! But this year was different.
Death Penalty Lobby Day Results:
- Millions of Ohioans were reached with our messages via significant media coverage in the Columbus Dispatch, Cleveland.com, Cincinnati.com, and Ohio Public Radio. The Cleveland.com story was also featured in The Hannah Report, which is widely read by Statehouse insiders.
- More than 175 registered participants represented by over two thirds of the House and the Senate
- More than 30 separate meetings by constituents with legislators or their staff
- 23 Co-Convening organizations
- 6 legislators from both parties welcomed and encouraged us at our program
- Presentation of the first Terry J. Collins Awards
- Recognition from the floor of both the House and the Senate
- Presentation of letters from nearly 500 Faith Leaders to Ohio legislators
- Delivery of thousands of postcards signed over the past year by Ohioans from across the state, calling for implementation of the Task Force reform recommendations.
- And more…
Visit the Death Penalty Lobby Day website to watch a high quality video of our program. You’ll hear from legislators, death row survivors, homicide survivors, death row family members, clergy, and see the presentations of the Terry J. Collins awards, as well as a special tribute video featuring Terry Collins. Please be sure to share within your networks.
Finally, I’ll note that we also made an impact on Wednesday at the meeting of the Joint Committee on Victim Services. OTSE Board Chair Melinda Elkins Dawson and Murder Victims’ Families for Reconciliation Executive Director Jack Sullivan Jr. testified. Read our press release, including their testimony and related documents on our website.
I want to thank everyone who participated last week, especially the co-conveners and their lobbyists and the OTSE volunteers, staff and board members. Together we’re making an impact to end executions in Ohio!
-Kevin Werner, Ohioans to Stop Executions