Members and visitors present: Liz Pearson, Barbara Murphy, Ed bloch, Rev. Dr. Senley Jack, Stan Ehrlich, David Maendel, Rev. Bob Lamar, Joe Seeman, Alison Coleman, Nicolas Fuller, Lou Ismay, John Amidon, Mussaret Chaudhry, Bernard Fleishman, Joe Norton, Pat Beetle, Ruth Fleishman, Rev. Joyce Hartwell, Nina Pattison, Rabbi Aryeh Wineman. Guests: David Kaczinski, David Soares, Said Shah.
The meeting was called to order by B. Fleishman and the invocation was given by Rev. S. Jack. There were no corrections or additions to the June 14th minutes.
Treasurer�s Report: Available funds $3449.20.
Our heartfelt sympathy was expressed to Stan Erlich on the loss of his wife.
Reports:
Electoral/campaign Reform - nothing new reported.
Criminal Justice/campaign for fiscal equity - Lou Ismay said he has been attending some family court sessions and he was concerned by the lack of respect for native Americans and others. There is an on line petition to Congress requesting outside, independent investigation into all acts of abuse and neglect of federal prisoners: www.PetitionOnline.com/PA2004/petition.html or contact Rosalind: [email protected].
Violence. John Amidon reported that the fall Anger Management Group will be Sept 27, Oct. 7, 17, 25. The program at the Kateri Shrine, �Creating Peace In A world At War� August 27 and 28 will feature Bishop Thomas Gumbleton and Kathy Kelly and others. John urged all to attend. Contact John for tickets, 518- 312-6442, and help with publicity.
David Kaczynski of New Yorkers Against the Death Penalty was introduced. He said the truth about death penalty is that it is not effective and is not applied to the worst but disproportionally to poor and to certain geographic areas. It is wasteful of money, having cost $170 million in the last 7 years. The good news is that the court of appeals ruled that it was unconstitutional and coercive of juries. There is no death penalty now until these issues are addressed. The speaker of the assembly tried to introduce a �quick technical fix� but the move was opposed by a considerable number so was not considered. A growing number of people are against the death penalty. Unless the governor makes it an issue before the election it will probably not be brought up. Kaczynski asked that we write letters as a group and/or as individuals and try to persuade those on the fence.
Ed and Bernie will write a letter from TIANYS.
Bob Lamar expressed appreciation to D. Kaczinski for his efforts.
Before 1995 the situation was different because there was no �life without parole�. (�Life without parole� still allows no opportunity for reform.) Call assembly members. They must see that public has changed and no longer push for the death penalty. Actually we are asking them to do nothing, as the court action has stopped death penalty at present.
David Soares, who was Asst. D.A. and is now running for D.A., was introduced and spoke about the effect of the Rockefeller Drug Laws. They have been in effect for 30 years and have not worked. What usually happens is that youth are tricked into selling for dealers, the youth are caught and sentenced for years,( longer if they get into trouble in prison,) and are replaced on the street immediately with other youth. There are few good alternatives for youth in poor sections of the city. No employers, no Little League, no library, only drug dealers. We spend $500 million per year on prisons. It would be much better to spend that money on prevention.
We need to talk about education and treatment. Focus on the District Attorneys Assn.
Reports Cont.:
Joyce Hartwell said the public meeting of ARISE will be October 5. There will be a meeting at the Artist all Faith Center 453 N. Pearl St. 5:30 Wednesday �Communities that Care�.
Executive committee
Campaign for fiscal equity. The Legislature didn�t act. They did appropriate money for education which will be distributed next week. A resolution was prepared by the executive committee urging the Legislature and the Governor to distribute the increased appropriation on the basis of the differential needs of the school districts rather than existing state school aid formulas. Motion was made by Joe Norton and seconded by Bob Lamar to adopt and resolution and release it as soon as possible. Motion passed.
Said Shah spoke to us about the Social Forums that have been held in Brazil and India, Canada, and some cities in the U.S. It is to pose alternatives to the World Economic Forum held by heads of state and corporate heads. World Bank and IMF bring in big corporations, de regulate, cut costs (ie. workers pay). There have been some local events and a committee was formed. In an effort to go forward with this, events are planned October 7-8 at Siena College, Dr. Balakrishna Ragopala from MIT will speak. On Oct. 13-14 there will be a program, workshops, and speaker at SUNY. Said will give us details later. Joe Norton moved that we support the program with $200. Motion passed. Speakers Bureau: a list was mailed with the minutes.
�Stop The Hate� program Oct. 14. Deb Riitano is working on it.
Bob Lamar composed a letter stating distress at the strange events of the FBI raid on the mosque, noting the necessity for a fair investigation, follow-up and public information, and stating our support for the Moslem community. Motion was made (Motion by Rabbi Wineman, 2nd by J. Amidon) that the letter be sent to Imam Djafer Sebkowi and to the TU. Motion passed.
Mussaret Chaudhry commented that the accused are part of a poor community and their families will suffer.
Meeting was adjourned at 11:03.
Respectfully submitted,
Florence Skiff
Next Executive Committee Meeting, 9:00 a.m. August 31 at Friendlys Rte 7. Next Membership Meeting 9:00 a.m. Sept. 13, 2004, Latham Community Baptist Church.
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