[Imc-cleveland] MLK Rally: Rethinking Ohio’s Death Penalty

[Angela Jancius]

Press Release --- Press Release --- Press Release

MLK Rally: Rethinking Ohio’s Death Penalty

When: Jan. 14, 2006, 2-4 p.m.

Where: Ohio State Penitentiary, 878 Coitsville-Hubbard Rd., Youngstown, 
OH

Context: It’s Time to Rethink Ohio’s Death Penalty

Ohio has executed 24 prisoners since it reinstated the death penalty, 
after introducing lethal injections in 1999. More than half of these 
executions have taken place since 2004, making Ohio the state with the 
second-highest execution rate, following Texas. There are three 
upcoming executions scheduled in January (Kenneth Biros, Jan. 23) and 
February of 2007 (James Filiaggi, Feb. 13 & Christopher Newton, Feb. 
27). 

Ohioans concerned about the arbitrariness of death penalty sentencing, 
as well as the legality of lethal injections, emphasize that it’s time 
to rethink the death penalty. And incoming Gov. Ted Strickland has made 
a good start: Last Friday, Strickland announced that he would not 
approve the execution of Kenneth Biros, scheduled for Jan. 23. 

Event: Martin Luther King Day Anti-Death Penalty Vigil

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, there will be a 
rally at the gates of Ohio State Penitentiary (OSP), Sunday, Jan. 14, 
2-4 PM. OSP is the supermax prison where most of Ohio’s death row 
prisoners are held. It is located at 878 Coitsville-Hubbard Rd., 
Youngstown. This event is a collaborative effort of the Cleveland 
Lucasville Five Defense Committee, the Youngstown Prison Forum and LOOP 
(Loved Ones Of Prisoners).

Transportation is being organized from Cleveland in the form of either 
a charter bus or vans. For reservations, call (216) 481-6671 or email: 
pfcenter at sbcglobal.net. Suggested donation is $12, more if you can, 
less if you can’t.

Sharon Danann
for the Cleveland Lucasville Five Defense Committee

***
Contacts 
Sharon Danann, Lucasville Five Defense Committee: (216) 481-6671
Theresa Lyons, LOOP (Loved Ones Of Prisoners): (330) 207-5132

***
Resources:
- LOOP (Loved Ones Of Prisoners), P.O. Box 2306, Youngstown, OH 44509
- http://www.prisonersolidarity.org