Press Release: Oregon Peace Works Supports Abolition

For Immediate Release Aug. 7, 2009

Oregon Peace Works Steps Up in Support of Abolition

Joining several secular and religious organizations, Oregon Peace Works has reaffirmed a position against Oregon’s death penalty. Joining in support of Oregonians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (OADP), Oregon Peace Works is an important member organization of a growing coalition supporting repeal in Oregon. With a mission “to educate and activate people to work for peace, justice and environmental sustainability”, Oregon Peace Works has a long and successful history of supporting progressive causes.

Regarding the death penalty, Executive Director Peter Bergel, says, “Almost all of us know in our hearts that killing others feels wrong. Moreover, it is ineffective as a deterrent and expensive as a punishment. That leaves only ‘getting even’ as a motivation and that’s not worth it.”

According to their vision, peace implies action on behalf of a broad range of concerns. Oregon Peace Works is affiliated with a long list of progressive organizations working in Oregon and around the world. As a supporter of OADP, they are joining with ACLU, Amnesty International, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Murder Victims Families for Reconciliation, Murder Victims Families for Human Rights, Salem-Keizer Coalition for Equality, Oregon League of Women Voters, Equal Justice USA, Silverton People of Peace and a growing list of Oregon based organizations in an effort to repeal the ineffective, expensive and flawed death penalty system.

Oregon is one of 35 states that still have a death penalty. Recent repeals in New Jersey and New Mexico, along with legislative action working toward repeal in another dozen states, reflect a growing public sentiment against the death penalty.

For more information on Oregon Peace Works, contact Mr. Bergel at pbergel@igc.org or go to their web site at www.orgeonpeaceworks.org. For more information about joining with Oregonians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, as an individual or an organization, go to www.oadp.org or contact Ron Steiner at (503) 375-9218.