Because Freedom Can't Protect Itself

Media Advisory 

                                               October 14, 2005

CONTACT:

Marcie Wilske, Catholic Charities of Idaho,  345-6031 x 107

Marty Durand, ACLU of Idaho, 344-9750 x 202

Pam Baldwin, Interfaith Alliance, 283-6560

Interfaith Discussion of the Death Penalty

What:         Who’s to Judge?  An Interactive Interfaith Discussion on the Death Penalty

Where:       Ahavath Beth Israel Synagogue

                   11 N. Latah, Boise          

When:         Sunday, October 23^rd, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.      

Sponsors:  Catholic Charities of Idaho, The Interfaith Alliance of Idaho, Idahoans Against the Death Penalty, The American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho, United Vision for Idaho and Corpus Christ, Inc.

Cost:           Free, the public is invited

A broad coalition of organizations and faith communities are participating in the 2005 National Weekend of Faith in Action on the Death Penalty.  Every year hundreds of faith communities, groups and/or individuals participate by learning more about the death penalty and how to become active on the issue.  

“We are encouraging Idahoans to consider the death penalty in light of their own faith traditions and moral beliefs,” according to Pam Baldwin, Executive Director of the Idaho Interfaith Alliance. 

Anyone interested to learning more about the death penalty is encouraged to attend Who’s to Judge on Sunday, October 23^rd.  The event will begin with a presentation of the short film, The Empty Chair:  Murder Victims’ Families Confront Loss and Punishment, followed by a panel discussion featuring Moslem, Jewish and Christian faith leaders, as well as legal and sociological perspectives.  Panel participants include Furqan Mehmood, Islamic Center of Boise; Dr. Michael Blankenship, BSU College of Social Sciences and Public Policy; Marty Durand, American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho; Rev. Dr. David Beck, Presbyterian USA; and Kathy Railsback, Hyde Park Mennonite Fellowship.

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